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Who will take the Calypso Monarch crown tonight?
Posted: Sunday, February 22, 2004

Newsday TT

Kizzie Ruiz

"It's really great getting into Dimanche Gras! I was ecstatic!" Twenty-two-year-old Kizzie Ruiz deems "reaching the big yard" as an accomplishment. Her third attempt at the title and her first entrance into the finals, Kizzie looks forward to simply having a really good experience. After winning the political commentary leg with the compositions "New Exemplars" and "Respect" in 2003, Kizzie returns with her Dermot Pierre compositions "Collateral Damage" and "Free Trade". "All week long it has been band practice and back-up rehearsals, shopping for clothes to make sure they are appropriate," she said.

De fosto

TUCO's "Kaiso For Pan" and Pan Trinbago's "Pan Kaiso" 2004 winner Winston Scarborough, ‘De Fosto' views his chance at winning the National Calypso Monarch competition "is as good as anybody else's." His 2004 winning pan tune, "War 2004" along with "Ah pay meh dues" are his entries for the title. De Fosto made it to Dimanche Gras night on five occasions, after his entrance in the competition in 1994. However, he has so far failed to capture the title. "If I look to see how everything plays out; if I give a great delivery I think my chances will be very good. I don't see anything as a stumbling block at this point," he said.

Protector

Despite some of his fellow calypsonians objecting to his inclusion in the final of tonight's contest because he is the president of Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO), Protector (Michael Legerton) remains unperturbed. He picked the number one position but is not daunted by the fact. "It means that I will have to come out strong and set the standard for the others to follow," he said. His two selections are titled "Monday Morning" and "Weapons Of Mass Destruction."

Shadow

Shadow (Winston Bailey) has had another good Carnival season. A former National Calypso Monarch and Road March Champion, Shadow is approaching the contest confident that his popular calypsoes afford him another opportunity to capture the title. He sings in position number eight, the one he said he wanted. "I just felt that position would be best, and God gave it to me," he said. "Hornerman Crying" and "Whap Cocoyea" may be his choices for the competition.

Heather Mc Intosh

She retained the San Juan Calypso Monarch title for the third straight year this year, so Heather Mc Intosh is approaching tonight's National Calypso Monarch Competition brimming with confidence. Having been on that "big yard" stage once before, she knows what is required to succeed at that level of competition. She is hopeful that her treatise "From Heather To Hazel," which is one of her selections, will pave the road to victory.

Singing Sandra

The defending Monarch does not intend to relinquish the crown without engaging in a "battle royale" with the challengers. Singing Sandra, a two-time Monarch, sings in position number nine on tonight's programme, and is comfortable with the number. "That was the number God gave me. My job is to just do my best," she said. A powerful performer, Sandra is a formidable opponent in any contest. "Doing her best" has brought her two national titles already, so her opponents can expect nothing less on this occasion. "A National Day of Prayer," is the title of one of her selections.

Ras Kommanda

Ras Kommanda (Steve Pascall) makes his second trip to the "big yard" tonight. His first was in 1999. "There are hundreds of talented calypsonians and writers in this country, and there is just one prestigious stage," he observed. "This stage will only showcase a mere fraction of the talent we have here. I am happy to be counted among the best, and I will go out there to deliver my message in true Kommanda style." The 2003 San Fernando Calypso Monarch will showcase his two compositions "Sando Alive" and "Trinbago Rise" in his bid for the title, appearing in the number eleven position.

Brian London

With three titles already under his belt, it is a quietly confident Brian London who will climb the Savannah stage later. He is the 2004 Young Kings Calypso Monarch, TTEC Calypso Monarch and South Calypso Monarch. On the insistence of his mother, he started singing when just seven years of age. Today, 20 years later, he is a finalist in the most prestigious calypso contest in the world. His own compositions, "Win Back We Nation" and "We Free" have brought him widespread acclaim and reward. His message to his peers is: "Carnival is about showcasing the arts in this country, and we must really talk about the beauty of Carnival in our soca songs." He sings in the sixth position.

Skatie

He copped TUCO'S East Zone Calypso Monarch title a few days ago, so Skatie (Carlos James) is approaching tonight's contest confident of his ability to give a good showing. No stranger to the Dimanche Gras stage, having qualified for the final before, Skatie will showcase his version of "Vision 2020" as one of his selections in the hope of adding another trophy to his collection. The 2003 Young King Calypso Monarch, sings in position number four.

Sugar Aloes

The 2002 National Calypso Monarch, Sugar Aloes (Michael Osuna) was triumphant in the category finals last Thursday night, winning the political category with his composition "Never Again." Known for his ability to deliver a bitter sweet experience of calypso commentary, Aloes can be expected to use his incredibly sweet voice to try and compliment the undiluted bitterness of his lyrics, when he appears before the judges in position number five.

Luta

Best known for his commentaries that reflect fearless swimming against the tide of popular belief, Luta (Morel Peters) will offer his "Perfect Vision" in a bid to recapture the title he won and shared with Delamo (Franz Lambkin) in 1994. He remains absolutely faithful to the traditions of calypso composing, especially the mastery and display of linguistic skill. He chose position number seven.

Chalkdust

The master of the cataloguing of incident and action, and relentless examination and scrutiny of the government, Chalkdust (Dr Hollis Liverpool), is always the one to beware of in a final. A five-time National Calypso Monarch, Chalkie is famous for updating his calypsoes or even springing a new one on audience and judges on final night. He takes the stage in position number 12, one that gives him the opportunity to access all that had gone before and react accordingly.

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