Another calypsonian has confirmed that he will be stepping down from this year’s calypso competition.
Former calypso monarch Chester “Daddy Chess” Letang, who recently released his calypso for the 2011 contest, confirmed on DBS Radio’s Saturday evening newscast that he decided to withdraw because of overseas commitments.
Daddy Chess’ decision comes on the heels of Scrunter’s announcement on Tuesday that he was pulling out of the competition because it was becoming too political.
Daddy Chess said he knew before hand that the possibilities of him not participating in this year’s competition were slim; but according to unconfirmed reports, calypso organizers were only very recently informed about Chess’ decision.
When asked about the relevance of releasing a song for the 2011 competition even if he may not be on island, Chess said he felt compelled to put out a song.
However he vowed to make an appearance on the Stardom Calypso Tent stage, but said he will certainly not be a part of the 32 calypsonians who will compete for a place in the calypso semi-final round of the quarterfinals on the Newtown Savannah tonight (February 5).
Judges will choose 20 of the 32 for the semi-final round.
haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
yah right
So if somebody was giving you $10,000 US to perform somewhere, and the choice was to stay in Dominica and sing for ungrateful fans for $1000 EC which you would choose? Honestly? I say ungrateful because Dominicans are the kind of people- one year they have you up- the next year they put you down. I would kiss DA goodbye for good if I was him.
fans in dominica is a good as buyin ur own cuffin, no atrist can ake money in dominica it a waste of time as a dj i made 10 time the money in 3 yrs in anguilla and st martin than i made here in 10 yrs
if the real reason is performing overseas and the price good go for it, how many other dominican artist have songs with other international soca artist? 2 eal soca artist d/ca have you daddy chest and 2greedy the rest in my book as a dj and radio personality is pure BS! carnival in d/ca and Tnt same time and tnt have soca list out while we dominica waisting out time on singing on skerrit and who fixing speaker. even sour sour sounding good this, sour sour, unwanted (gwo pwell) i spining them where ever i play not then ruddish political song and the noise from triple k
Chess did the right thing. I dont think he was strong with the song that he has. For one it sounds too much like soca and lacks the elements of calypso. As for Scrunters reason what a laugh. Scrunter is saying there is too much politics? Too much politics where in the calypso association or is he saying calypsonians are singing too much politics? If its the association, he is one who upholds the association (and its head) and criticizes others who have tried to have a new and better association than what we now have. If he is referring to calypsonians then he needs to look in the mirror or remember that when you point one finger that there are more pointing back at you. Scrunter has been nothing short of political over the past eight or so years and he should realize that is his politics among other things that has made him unpopular, oh and this year he had a weak song too.
Calypso is much much bigger than any calypso singer. The main question Dominicans need to ask is what impact are the calypso songs having on our people, apart from singers being exposed and calypso shows organised every year. Artists have been singing calypsos for decades: lovers of calypsos have been attending shows and competitions: radio stations are playing calypsos very often over the years, calypsos have been hitting the road on carnival days, people dancing, singing repeating the lyrics of many songs, but what kind of impact on the mind?
Although calypsonians have been raising diverse issues in song about love for country, bad Governance, unscrupulous politicians and other leaders, the role of church, corruption, and other pertinent issues, yet our people continue to behave irresponsibly, more crimes, more hate, more corruption ( now more open and in our faces), more disregard for Law and Order, more defrauding of State finances, further economic, social/cultural decline, more Bad politics and acts of selfishness and greed today more than ever.
The lyrics are heard, but not seriously listened to. Therefore even though calypsonians sing about the ills, evil deeds, as well as good deeds, people still do not act accordingly to make the country a better place for all to live happily. Many people. including calypsonians themselves openly support corruption and nepotism and try not to expose the ills if it is their political friends in power. Many calypsonians have forgotten their true roles.
While I agree with you we need to remember that calypso is a SEASONAL thing and its only for carnival that calypsonians(and writers) write and sing and by the time carnival end thats it. So we can’t blame it squarely on the notion that people don’t TRULY listen to calypsos because a lot do and understand while some dont nor too that calypsonians dont know their roles (because they do sing). The thing is our people are not independent thinkers and they need to educate themselves by reading more. They listen too many times to the opinions (garbage) of people with their own agendas and simply can’t form their own opinions. They do not know how to separate party political issues from the national interest and they simply don’t know what patriotism is
Another thing is that, the OTHER calypsonians knowing how they criticized previous administrations even after the life in office of those administrations, are now so embarassed of whats happening, that they cowardly and hypocritically decide to take a break instead of singing about the current ills. The so called .UNTER and …UNTER and ..OST while others change their tunes from the political to other topics like the so called .AN …SELF
Calypso is about entertaining lyris you have no style let the people judge you put out your music the whole point of it they cannot sing and cannot write music, are he have overs seas comitment who know mr overs seas I never see him in Miami Carnival which is one of the biggest carnival in the US. I saw Hunter many times some one playing in big head chess head man he and his Michael Jackson fake star better get down to earth and stop thinking he is a supper star calypso have a long way to go. let him come he will go and mop floor in America before he become a star he afraid he come out last looser
He thought he was the great Lord Breaker, Gregoire Bannis, bowing out to form the Gaylords Power union. Dem calypsonians today sing pure trash and bull-crap. They need to take a page out of the late ARROW’S book.
All im saying is Daddy Chess to dirty. He knew he was nt going to be present, he should have given someone else a chance. Vo wass.
Daddy Chess, yes i admire ure performance the many times i have seen you in New York City, but the real reason i dont think you expect anyone of us to believe espically at the last moment, i can only wish you well and expect to see you next year
Maybe the bobo dread going into Reggae!!!!!!!!
Who cares if daddy chess pulls out? He has deluded himself into thinking he’s some kind of super star calypso person. Please panda GET A GRIP!!!
Oh, by the way, ur song was crap!!
True dat,he thinks he is a Marshal Montano, he knew that there was no way he would have made it through this time, but it would have been war if he did. He won’t be missed.
Daddy Chess knows quite well that he was going nowhere with this song he released. This year even kakarat calypsonians have great songs. This is the real reason why he pulled out…”to save face”.
My disappointment is not that he chose not to contest, but that he allowed another singer to loose out on an opportunity to compete at the quarter finals! This shows a level of selfishness in my book….
he had some good calypso but he was not my favorite calypsonian
and i applaud this year’s calypsonians for bringing such good music to the stage
so i will not really miss daddy chess, sorry for the people who would
personally i’m not a talented song writter or singer. But if i was,
and i was unhappy with the direction of the movement of calypso.
I would voice that through my music. Come on daddy you have
the best avenue to express yourself and is that nonsense you
coming up with-prior commitment and it’s too political. Use
the mind god give you and give us something to open our
minds. When the boo your a$$ where you go i hope you
don’t try to click your clarks and say theres no place like home (lol)
“i saaaaayyyyy,,, there’s a conspiracy to let dicey know his waaaaayyyy,,,, to some it’s such a shame the little boy way above the gaaaaammmmeeee,,,,,,so come the the final night,,,, bright fog or candle light,,,, no matter how good he came,,,,,, we gonna give!!!!!!! caressa the crown agaiiiiiinnnnnn” look out allu the gonna rob dice ,,,,, see dat eh,,,, i must start writing calypso’s man lol
as chester’s # 1 fan, i am very disappointed in the way he handled his ‘business’. Chester (i hope your are reading this), but charity begins at home. Remember you have fans, this is no way to treat you fans. I am sick and tired with you telling your fans that they are unworthy.
Well if he out there to perform then he is pleasing some fans. I think he went for the money ok this one I guess
I listened to the quarter finals show and I was somewhat surprised at the song selected by the OBSERVER. The song was about the King Maker. No disrespect to Pat aaron but I thought the lyrics was unsuitable for a competition. In a calypso competition it is defintely not wise to give praises to your competitors. While the song mention the Pat Aaron made Kings special emphasis and praises was bestowed upon Dice.
The song was written by Pat Aaron and in my opinion the song is well suited for the season compilation, a Pat aaron production. As stated the song focuses on the work of Pat Aaron and I have no problem in giving the man Pat his rightful recognition. The lyrical format brought out arrogance , coy and brash.
I believe that a veteran like The OBSERVER shhould know better than to sing a song praising and glorifying his competitor. during an actual competition
that is so true. i said the same thing. i wonder if observer knows what he’s singing?
That’s why I said some of you just comment on here to sound like you know ……… Did Observer sang King maker ….. Do your frigging homework before you commment . It was checker ok that sang King maker .
And it was Tim who wrote King Maker.
and Pat does not just write any song for somebody
you must give him your topic or some clues
If you were a calypso fan, you would know that the is not Observer who sang this song. It is CHECKER and “The King Maker” was not written by Pat Aaron, it was written by Tim Durand. I think you should take your time to listen to the words of the song. We have to give Jack his Jacket when it is due.
lol lol lol lol lol lol
thank you “calypso fanatic”…..get your facts right “say yes” before you comment!!!
Say Yes, Please check your facts. From what was reported in the media, you seem to have the wrong name of the writer of “King Maker”. So the man was not writing about himself as you put it.
De OBSERVER did not sing “King Maker,” it was sang by the CHECKER and written by Tim Durand. If you listen to the song very well, you will realise that while the song is praising pat on one hand as the king maker, he is only bashing Pat as the king maker, since Pat is using the position as “king maker” to rob calypsonians, attempting to take over the calypso association and many other things.
really people the song king maker is a tribute song, its not bashing anybody and pat is not robbing calypsnians and he certainly does not want to take over the calypso association. you just a hater.
you see that is show you all that calypso is everybody ting not “BIG MAN TING” ok scrunter.
If the gentlemen decide to step down from Calypso then their decision is respected. However, to assert that Calypso is too political is a weak and futile reason for leaving.
Firstly, the same who feel this way should change their approach or lyrics. There are so many issues which affects us as a people thus one could express one’s views about these.
Secondly, Calypso is a social outlet for Calypsonians to express their views. It also consists of social commentaries. Although I am not a music fan, whenever I listen to some of the lyrics of Calypso, it makes me laugh
Common guys I think this is petty, you don’t want to be in Calypso then fine, your decision is respected but if persons want to express their political views then so be it.
WHY ARE WE ALWAYS SOO CRITICAL OF OUR OWN!!
OF WHOM SHOULD WE BE CRITICAL
IF CHESS AND SCRUNTER DECIDED NOT TO COMPETE I THINK WE SHOULD ACCEPT THEIR
DECISION. EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO DO WHAT EVER THEY THINK IS BEST FOR THEIR WELFARE IN LIFE . ALL THESE NASTY COMMENTS ARE NOT NECESSARY.
No problem they step down but do it in a way that others may get a opportunity to compete. So its the way they behaved. someone missed any opportunity.
please…the person who missed the opportunity wouldn’t have gone anywhere anyway!
chess gone go trinidad again for carnival. whatever works for u big man, just one thing though, don’t ever expect to win a soca monarch in trinidad. LOL
lo u r 2 funny.
Some of you on here comment on every single article , Just to sound like we know .
What make some of you believe Hunter is not competing because Dice is in the competition .. Hunter was not in the competition last year and neither was dice .
Hunter is one of Dominica’s most talented and decorated Calypsonians , some of you act like Dice created calypso …. Hunter still remains one of the most popular on the international market , after carnival most of our Calypsonians go to bed !
Only in Dominica we like to tell our Calypsonians they’re to old to be competing .. Chuck Dust , Shadow , Sparrow , Arrow , Sugar aloe ,Baron , are all embraced and loved by their people because they’re talented age never mattered . Daddy chess you do you !! Go where your talented is appreciated .
Word of advice for Dice do and album and promote yourself internationally , because Dominicans will turn on you in a few years , that’s how they operate .
I think everything you said is 100% fact and was not ignorant in any way shape or form, very true. Didn’t think of I that way myself
If some people are not competing because of age then its their choice no one is preventing them from competing, because De Picky is od and he is stil competin and Spider competed till e died.
If Chester new he had other priorities he shouldn’t have released a song. These guys have to remember they have fans and people who brought them where they are today. Someone earlier said something about chester’s talent being to big for Dominica but I will tell you that only in Dominica if I’m correct that he has gotten acknowledgement for his so called talent. Daddy Chess ain’t doig nothing but preparing for other competitions outside Dominica.. Its just too bad his considered mediorce amongst those. Stop being greedy and washing your hands in the face of those who brought you where you are. Stop trying to be something your not. Maybe chester should try to keep his calypso more DA original than being an impersonator just maybe he may standout amongst the othe island artists. No one likes a copier!
D.I.C.E …..A.G.A.I.NNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
whts does dice have to do with that..so stupiddddd
DICE AGAIN and AGAIN
CHESS, YOU BOWED OUT TOO LATE. YOU PREVENTED ANOTHER CALYPSONIAN FROM MAKING IT TO THE QUARTERS. WHETHER THAT PERSON WOULD HAVE MADE IT THROUGH TO THE SEMI FINAL, OR NOT, AT LEAST, HE WOULD HAVE MADE A CHANGE FOR PERFORMING. NEXT TIME DON’T BE SO LATE WITH YOUR YOUR DECISION. GOOD LUCK IN TRINI.
Afraid of having his neck cut at quarters whoosh!
Not like u will be missed!!!!
Calypso was always based on politics.What went wrong for the past year and what is currently going on.We don’t make calypso like,”Ma john lave” or” Begger” any more. So if u scrunter run out of lyrics, get the hell out of CALYPSO!!!!
Chees has become too Trini in his style of songs and has fellen out of favour anyway. He wants to compete on the big stage eventhough they treated him so badly in past times.
Go your way
But Trini that have the money so what are you talking about and what you saying makes no sense Chess is very much Dominican he is trying to better himself because and country his talent is too great to be stuck in Dominica and think he is some big celebrity. Chess has explored the waters and knows what it is to be great, calypso is only for DA carnival season, Soca is for the entire Caribbean/World I applaud you chess go for it.
Stupse so real bs
But is true. Soca huge. Bigger than our own style in Dca. The man have a point. And with soca u have solo artists. With bouyon is a band or nothing an d calypso not really up there world-wide. Not that I agree with chess but the comment is true
IN YOUR OLD AGE YOU FIND CALYPSOS POLITICAL.YOU SANG MANY POLITICAL SONGS AND EVERY SONG YOU SANG WAS CRITIZING UWP. THE RETURN OF DICE HAS SENT YOU IN RETIREMENT,I HOPE IT IS FOR GOOD. FAREWELL MY ONE TIME CALYPSO BROTHER, BY THE WAY YOU ARE A TERRIBLE M.C.
scrunter’chester,hunter they all know that they are no competion for dice so they are coming up with excuses,please guys man up.
What Hell Dice. He can never compare to Hunter. Hunter is international.
Dice what! The man is a performer, not a calypsonian. Plain and simple. A true calypsonian will write his own song. Have you listened to Dice being interviewed? Is that the caliber of an individual you would want to represent you on the regional or international stage? I dont think so.
them calypsoians like dddy chess and scrunter afraid to sing wat really go on and chastize it because they buy and sell them ….but calypso must go on….
I have been listening to the different CALYPSO SHOWS and it’s wonderfull we have a lot of talents out there so those who want to step a side is just helping the new singers to get a chance to showcase themselves. I may not be living in DOMINICA right now but the DOMINICIAN Culture lives in me I wish DADDY CHESS and SCRUNTER all the best but the show will go on.
Scrunter take a break for now we are awaiting your arrival this summer at Ruthina`s back yard B.B.Q. you can bring a couple others with you including Daddy Chess and hunter and remember you`re always a winner my girl friend cant wait especially with this record winter season we been having thus far.
OK admin….. who made it thru to the next round?
Calypso has always political, but never ever as vindictive, personal and aggressive, these day these so call calypsonians sings with such malice and hate, it is not fun anymore, has anyone notice after carnival them song don’t go anywhere they call stay and die in Dominica, every other Island have at least one Calypsonian making it big but not Dominica, our calypso just stay here and die, and the calypsonians stay behind like a heel!
Dice is the only one who sing his calypsos be it political or whatever he sings it with fun, love and joy, he enjoys what he sings and it is a pleasure to see and listen to him.
Mouth of the south: Stop with you hating and trying to divide us ,on the night when Dice does his THING and he does it as great as I know he can HE WILL WIN THE CROWN! On the night the best one will win!
The Crown has to be WON, it is not given, , keep your hate to yourself .
I totally agree Dice wns his crown because he deserves it. as for daddy chess he knows he I not going to win,he might not even make the finals he knows going to lose so he invented an excuse.
Daddy chess your time has passes and so to u scrunter.its the young ppl turn.
i never knew chess was an ‘old’ man lol
I think it is very unpatriotic of Daddy Chess to priortorize overseas commitments over that of a local competition, when these are the ones that he has relied on for years. The absence of such a significant figure at a local event/competition undermines some of the essentials of what we value. This kind of behavior would not be tolerates by other caribbean countries such as Trinidad or St. Lucia. I understand to a certain extent the economic importance for Chess, but the country and event needs his contribution at this time of year (carnival season)
What’s so unpatriotic about that? Daddy Chess is not appreciated in his own country, therefore, I support his move to bigger and better things regionally and internationally. That is how someone grows.
Good luck Chester, wherever the wind of change blows you.
Daddy Chess definitely fell off the Band Wagon he did not just jump off.
but scrunter how many times will you retire from calypso nah anyway dicey them man really afraid of you
PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The process of Natural Selection is at play.If you cannot bear the heat get out of the kitchen.
Both daddy Chess and Scrunter are doing the right ting’.They going outside on the porch to chill.
This is resubmitted to correct one word contect with context
All who coming down on Scrunter are pure illiterates. Some of you just don’t get it. Scrunter’s “Too political” has nothing to do with lyrics. He is reffering to biasness, one-sideness, behind-the-scenes dealings and crookedness on the part of the organizers of the competition. You all are taking the phrase “too political” out of context. You must learn to put brain in gear before engaging mouth. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
I understand where you a coming from but I do not buy that explanation because the topic right now in DOMINICA is all about ” politic and political pp”s” it’s the norm of the day therefor all CALYPSONIANS have to find their own way to bring their point of view out Scrunter have to find his edge and bring it out he is not going to the competition because others are singing about POLITIC is nonsense why dont individuals stop disrespecting our intelligent when will it ever stop, that’s what is happening on the Island right now so his excusses is rubbish you may not like it but that’s how I see it SCRUNTER should never return on the scene because politic was always there so dont use that for denying us your talent I am very disapointed in such selfishness,
why couldnt he find other topics to sing about since he do not want to sing about politic.
You All still don’t get it. I will be more explicit. Scrunter is not talking about calypsonians singing political songs. He is talking about the politics involved in the set up of the competition – Meaning the people who runs the show. He is talking about the preference, the partiality, the double dealings, the undermining and the back biting. Scrunters calypso career has been grounded in politics. His last album was titled ‘Manifesto’. Come on people.You need to learn to follow the money and learn some common sense.
In total, there are five contestants “calypsonians” who are boycotting the competition this year. Scrunter is the only one taking blows just because a bunch of dummies don’t understand the term “Too Political”. Domnik ne twopp moon ke sot.
doh give us your definition. scrunter shoulda SING about it and explain it too us what he mean wen he say calypso too political. liar liar, pants on fire!
All who coming down on Scrunter are pure illiterates. Some of you just don’t get it. Scrunter’s “Too political” has nothing to do with lyrics. He is reffering to biasness, one-sideness, behind-the-scenes dealings and crookedness on the part of the organizers of the competition. You all are taking the phrase “too political” out of contect. You must learn to put brain in gear before engaging mouth. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
SCRUNTER is not versatile – never was; you hear one song you hear all. His current song IS PRAISING THE CALYPSO ASSOCIATION; he calls it the BEST ASSOCIATION on the island so WHERE IS THE POLITICS? If he is talking about songs that reflect the times then EVERYBODY IS WRONG AND HE ALONE IS RIGHT
The art form has left him behind. He does not have it anymore, just could not fight fire for fire. ALL THE GUYS HAVE MOVED ON . . . .
SCRUNTY RUN FOR COVER – DICE MAKE HIM RETIRE; CHESS head for safety overseas – TOO MUCH FOUCHET HEAT
Return of Dice and the real competition of separating the men from the boys has began long before the night of competition. Scrunter you are’ full of it’ dude.
The origins of calypso was for social/ political commentary. Was it Scrunter who was campaigning for Skerrit during the last elections? If so this in interesting.
i thought we talking about daddy chess
DICE CAN NEVER WIN KING AGAIN , THAT SONG IS NOT A HIT
The song does not have to be a hit to win the crown. It is all about DELIVERY ON THE NIGHT OF THE SHOW. Presentation, lyrics, articulation, melody etc….
Mabella, this shows how little you know of the criteria in judging calypso…………..relax lady….and go listen to de shoe on the final night, then wheel and come again.
Shoe or show? Please read you all comments before submitting.
all am sayin is when the time come and dice deserve his crown they better not …… around problem in that park dice again
another……bites the dust…..life rolls on,,,,,keep the cayiso going….
I am afraid that Scrunty has not evolved with the art form and realizes that he no longer holds any REAL significance in that calypso arena anymore. Just listening to his lyrics and melody it is too much of an “ole refrain”. His songs/tunes are much too familiar and he would need to change alot to be “Calypso relevant” in todays world. He knows well that he doesn’t have it anymore and is using “too much politics in calypso” as the scape goat but we all know better. No pon intended, just saying it as I see it!
How much time scrunter retire nuh……….. chupse!!!!
when i heard the song chester released,,,, i knew these guys weren’t ready 4 dice,,,,, i get the feeling there’s a conspiracy to bring dice to level playing field or to hurt his ego a lil bit,,,, even if dice performs superbly they gonna give caressa the crown again,,,, so peeps can say,,, allu see chester wasn’t there n caressa still win dice in his face lol
Scrunter is talking nonsense…
As for Chess the dose of reality he was about to get apparently was visible even to him..
Talk about taking out shame in your eyes
The Show Must Go On
It takes a wise person to know when to get off “the Bandwagon.” It was a good decision. the bandwagon was out of its league.
Scrunter seems to have forgotten his calypsos of the past. He seems to have forgotten the history of the art form. Scrunter I respect your decision but your reasoning does not hold water!
Honestly i think that calypso has always been political though.But king Scrunter I respect you decision still.