Calypso semi-finalist, Richard “Beno” Christmas, has taken his contribution to calypso a step further this year by releasing a video for his rendition “New Peace.”
In an interview with Dominica News Online Beno stated that the song, which is written by Michelle Henderson, calls on the public to find ‘their inner peace.’
“The song New Peace is actually a rendition on actually starting a new peace,” he stated. “This speaks about the peace within you. Everyone speaks about peace but they are not at peace with themselves … a new peace is a peace that starts with you; finding your inner peace and then that peace transcends from within you to your homes and communities.”
According to Beno although a lot of people have warmed up to the song there are still a few critics who expressed that the topic “peace” was too cliché.
“Everybody loved the song but there were a few who said that the song was a bit of a cliché because they have heard about peace before,” he stated. “But I was thinking what is the world coming too if peace becomes cliché, so that in itself strengthen the song and at the end of the day we have to be advocates for peace.”
Beno pointed out further that he believes that his song is one of the strongest lyrically in the calypso and is therefore confident about the upcoming semi-finals.
“I believe the chances of moving on to the finals are great,” he noted. “I ranked among the top nine for the quarter finals so I am already on my way to the finals. What I have to do this semi finals is maintain my rendition, use of stage, presentation and so on. The song carries its own weight. it’s a very strong song so all I have to do is come out and sing well.”
The video was released on Tuesday February 11, 2014 and depicts struggles from historical times. Individuals such as Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Dame Mary Eugenia Charles are featured in the video.
The song was produced by Roland Junior Delsol, musical arrangements were done by Brent Samuel and it was mixed and mastered by Don Gabriel.
The video was produced by Wikibuli Communications Inc.
Beno indicated that he plans to have the video featured on regional networks such as Tempo and Caribvision.
He has been a calypsonian for the past 5 years.
See the video below.
U definitely are worth the crown. Your Charisma; your lyrics; your sweet voice should have you in the big box position.
A JOB WELL DONE. That song theme suits the time we are in right now. WOW!!!
Love it, love it, love it.
Kudos Ma nephew …a song worth a Million box…all the right lyrics, the best videos . That right there was the bomb. You were worth the crown…WOW!!!
Yes ma nephew….A JOB WELL DONE!!!….The lyrics is addictive and your performance was Greeeeat….
Kudos…That was worth the crown…..love it, love it, love it….
Brilliant Kaiso. Great songs that will reach and resonate far beyond the borders of the Isle of Beauty. Beautiful piece of writing my sister MH. Brilliant just brilliant.
One Love Dominicans!!!
one video for your gangstar king.
Thank you my brother for a great piece of work. That shows that we do not have to exploit our sisters and have them featured on our videos half dressed and shaking every part of their body to display our art. Great calypso. Finally a song with a true message.
Congrats on a job well done. i see this going places
Congratulations are in order: great song!
On the other hand, is it okay to just use other people’s clips and pictures in a video and reproduce it on youtube? Just asking! I see that happening a lot..copyright..money is going to talk one of those good days.
WOW Marie on tonight.
i think we lookin at our next king.
and u came to this conclusion based on this video and this song???????/
Well done Beno. Big song! Thumbs up to Michelle as well. Good stuff. Finals and beyond me say….
Big Up Brethren….Big Tune Big Video! Straight Finals me Say!
Song is strong and video is sic. Bug up Beno!!
Congrats you have finally made up for that song one video so now it’s two videos.
beautifully done. congratulation Beno. keep up the good work. This has brought the calypso world to another level
Super! Powerful song, sweet melody and I love the originality of the video. Clearly you aim to take this song past our shores and into the world…that’s the idea. Love it Beno and team!
Congratulations to the BENO and all who assisted with producing this music video… That’s taking Calypso to a new level…
Outstanding!
This is a plug and play song anywhere around the world where calypso is played.
great song. i really like the melody.
A real complete and different approach…I’m loving it Mr. CHRISTMAS…way to go!!
I love it. It’s different. Keep rising Beno. Stay positive. That’s a real powerful song.
I love it. It’s different. Keep rising Beno. And stay positive.
if dem judges they have in d/a no any thing bout calypso this song shouldn’t have difficulty reaching the final except if he self destruct.so big-up my youth big tune
This is a Caribbean classic calypso..like David Rudder. Good stuff!
Nice , wish more calypsonians took the art form as seriously as this young gentleman.Your video iswell aligned to the context of the song .
I hope that when I come home I will be able to purchase this video it’s wonderful I also hope the radio stations and Tv will give it a lot of air play so the outside world can see that D’icans have talents.
Well done , love this song
Great song and video Beno. Pay no mind to the politically-biased hypocrites who speak about cliches. These are the same individuals who have no problems in the repiticious and often recycled lyrics from some of the big guns and their writers who constantly stick to the same topics year after year and find favour with the judges ( and some of these very critics) simply because it fits their political and other agendas. Keep above the fray my boy because at the end of the day your song has the ability of going beyond the boundaries of DA, while most of these other guys their songs are only popular here around carnival time and dies off soon afterwards.