Local calypsonian and soca artist Chester “Daddy Chess” Letang, though bowing out of this year’s calypso competition, will defend his Soca Monarch crown when the show gets underway on February 25.
The former Calypso King and reigning Soca Monarch will do so with his new self-written single “Shameless.”
Letang, who spoke to Dominica News Online, said that “Shameless” seeks to help patrons embrace the true spirit of carnival and bacchanal.
“During carnival time it doesn’t matter if you are a banker, a lawyer, in news cast, it doesn’t matter what part of Dominica you’re from and where or what kind of work you do,” Letan explained. “When it comes to carnival time it is all about bacchanal, enjoying yourself, freeing up. You’re a different person during carnival time, so carnival time we feting with no shame, no face, bold face, shameless.”
Musical arrangement for the song was done in Grenada and New York, while vocals were recorded by local producer Cornel Phillip.
Letang will compete only in the power round of the competition this year.
He said although the competition is tight this year and his competitors have put forth good songs, he stands a good chance of retaining his crown.
“I have my work cut out for me but I like my chances. The song I have this year, I find is even a better choice than what I had last time. It’s a song with regional appeal,” he pointed out.
Daddy Chess took the opportunity to explain to fans why he could not compete in this year’s calypso competition.
“This year I didn’t plan to compete in calypso initially because I had plans to do certain things and then I decided that I was gonna compete, but then there was this video for the ‘Hotter than Hot’ song I had released about two months ago with myself and Peter Ram. The video was supposed to be shot one week before the quarter-finals but the financing did not come through at the time, the financing was late,” he explained.
“He (Peter Ram) is a very busy guy and the studio in Miami is very busy as well. So the only weekend we could get to shoot that video is this weekend which is the same weekend as the semi-finals. I found this out about two days before the quarter-finals so that’s why I had to pull out,” he stated.
Letang continued, “I always put my foreign affairs first because that’s always more important for me. The calypso show will be there every year. Whenever you get a chance out there you have to take it because if you miss that train you might never get it again.”
He promises a lot of quality material over the coming months.
“I have a lot of stuff working on, hidden things that will come out eventually. As the year progresses you’re going to be hearing new and bigger things about Daddy Chess. I’m just trying to elevate the game,” he said.
Daddy Chess is currently the lead singer of Dominica’s oldest band the Swinging Stars. He began as a drummer and later took on the post as lead singer and then the group’s composer in the late 1990’s. He has won the 2001 Calypso Monarch and the 2008 and 2009 Soca Monarch competitions.
i NEVER claim to speak on his behalf so doh come so…I speak for myself, I’m not his sister nor brother so i not raised by his parents , I’m not his PR person i support his decision and just find some of these fools on dno AND d/cans on a whole too like to talk PURE crap,,,when they doing something for D/ca i’ll respect their oppinion but why the hec would i respect a set of nincompoops with verbal and digital diarrhea
Sofla: Boy are you upset? I am convinced you burst a blood vessel. Why are you so defensive. Daddy Chess is quite capable of taking care of himself. With your tone and choice of words, based on what you are saying how Daddy Chess parents raised him well, which I dont deny, you are not doing him any justice. Please think before you write and control your emotions. Again, please learn to respect people’s opinion.
Daddy Chess can never turn his back on Dominicans- he is the artiste singing the most about Domincian unity! You all forget? This year he sang about everyone coming on the waggon train- and he was criticized for not singing about policts and social commentary. Daddy chess- explore your opportunities abroad. Those who are angered by your actions are ‘CRABS IN A BARREL. Dominicans don’t like to see people advance themselves. Either that or they are not abitious and think everyone should be like them. Explore your opportunities Daddy Chess. I am behiind you all the way. Machel and dem aint got nuting on you!
I WISH YOU WELL. ITS SO SAD TO BE JUGEMENTAL. IS HIS LIFE WHY SHOULD WE CRITICIZE
HIS DECISION. GOOD LUCK .
Good Job Chess well said we love you go for it
well..daddy chess, good move,leave calypso for who want to fight for it…u an artist do ur thing..you don,t hav to depend on people to write for you..Join the Trini Boyz and them..all dem man millionaire just by singing soca..Calypso is sweet, but its just 4 a season….its high time Dominica get on the Soca thing..Calypso is not commercial for DA ..the materials are too local and unmarketable.
i think is time Dominicans grow up , word is cheap, the best one can do, is to be to someone, as they would like others to be to them” NICE” we are not going anywhere with our attitude across the board.we need each other to progress so let’s be mature. I am a dice fan but daddy chess is a great performers and i like himm like all the other calypsonian. a man have to do what a man have to do.Calypso is every year. Let’s just support the guys, when they win they win for Dominica too. i doe know why we like roro so.
The man talking international you folks commenting on the local seen.The brother eyes locked on big things give him a break.Reach for the stars bro.
Weh Papa…Eh Ben I see all de Chess fans come out of their hiding holes…lol! De fact of the matter is that he has not been able to live up to people’s expectations in recent times (either locally or abroad). If he making such an impact on the regional scene, why wasn’t he nominated for any awards at the CARIBFEST awards last month. Jik Montserrat was represented!
Chess get down from your high horse and face reality – it is much too challenging for u to compete in the Soca industry among the great Marshalls, Allison Hinds, Faye Anns, Edwins, Bloods etc.
I’m not a pessimist. I’m a realist!
So you call yourself a realist, I would prefer if you called yourself an idiot and I do mean that in a nice way. Everybody struggles to make their name. When Bunji Garlin and Benjie started in 1999 they started just like Chess it them some time. It is always easy to be a critic but all the man wants to do is put Dominica on the map. What have you done lately to expose Dominica to the rest of the world besides been a critic? To all who support Chess thanks to you and continue to support any Dominican who wants to do bigger and better things. INTERESTING you should take a look at yourself prior to making comments.
Come on people, what are we debating here? You know full well Chess cannot win a competition when Dice is in it. Chess cannot hold a candle to Dice.
Dice will stay holding all the candles while chess will host fireworks!!!! keep on being crabs in a damn barrel he comeout in allu fletchin barrel doh! I hope allu will support dice with all the candles all u handing out to him! When Dice can write a song we can talk…till then STFU
Chess, you do what you have to do. Please, Chess is the best Calypsonian out there. You Dominicans like to put Dice on a pedestal but Chess has better quality music hands down. Go out there my boy and make Dominica proud !!!
Letang continued, “I always put my foreign affairs first because that’s always more important for me. The calypso show will be there every year. Whenever you get a chance out there you have to take it because if you miss that train you might never get it again.”
Sporting fans, doesn’t that should a little like some members of the West Indies Cricket Team? While I love the Artist, I think it was the wrong choice of words. But fully support his bid because he one of the Artist who could take the name Dominica to the ”next level”. His versatility surpasses that of DICE.
who cares about preety sounding poetic and politcally correct words..cha man!!! It boils down to one and the same and that is he is an artist and he is pursuing an entertainment career and that HAS to come first..thats a blatantly honest statement..what happen…alu doh like honestly man…u prefer diplomacy and galant language..he is not a diplomat he is a solo artist supporting himself. he dont owe no one a damn thing…what allu doing for him??????
iven chess reputation and experience. Also noting the fact that he is a consistent performer I believe that the calypso association should consider either an exemption or. Consider chess’ song for the lyrical content and decide whether the song is ready for the next level of competition. After the guy is not just a. An experienced calypsonian but also a year round entertainer. The preliminary round of the competition is based primarily on the lyrics.
Maybe the association need to consider such situation based on validity of the situation, the he experience of the artist and contribution of the artist
Waw you sound bitter and envious!!! I hope you know that haters strenghten and propel those they hate on to greater success and higher heights, I know his success will be to Dominica’s benefit so I fully support the decision.
My girl you said enuff…I am a Daddy Chess fan….you not helping his case…trusssss me…..
Chess…
Since i know myself i hearing about Dominican artist who can or almost or about to do big things regionally, but at some point it never REALLY happens.
So if you have the opportunity to get ur music out, Dominicas talent out, and help take care of your finances while living your dream, MY BROTHER- DO IT!!
If more of us “free up” during carnival our costume bands will perhaps finally be successful!!
ill be getting on SHAMELESS i doh give a… KANAVAL is BACHANAL, HAHAHA!!
CHESS GO WHERE THE MONEY IS BECAUSE ALL THE DCANS THAT LIKE DICE IF HE MAKES AN ALBUM THEY WILL NOT BUY THE ORIGINAL TO SUPPORT HIM THEY BUY BOT LEG>>>>>SOCA ALL THE WAY IF YOU WANT TO MAKE IT INTERNATIONAL LIKE BUNJI, MACHEAL AND THE OTHERS, CLAYPSO IS FOR LOCAL MARKET…ALL THE SING DICE SINING AND THEY LOVE HIM HE STILL A BROKE MAN
Oppinions they say are like @$$wholes(sic) and everyone is entitled i suppose. Its a choice and if you are concerned why he made his choice, then he explained, if you’re not and could care less why did you even read the article. Dominica’s market isnt big enough for our artists to take their craft seriously, so the man trying and broaden his audience, dont hate, support that, what he not doing today may make it better tomorrow. So what if other calpsonians stick it out and write their politically charged songs and expose ‘the real issues’ tell me what coming out of it for them or the country. NOT a fart in a gale of wind. a JHAY talk. the man is trying to build himself an entertainment career, one that may someday let more people know and hear about Dominica. I couldnt give a rats tail what all you detractors have to say and I hope my boy Chess doh worry with allu either. A set of crabs in a barrel. Mind your children, raise them right and you wont have to worry about them ‘misinterpreting’ what is mean by a soca song. Daddy Chess parents did a great job look at how all their children turned out so if is example allu looking for BE THE DAMN EXAMPLE in your own home. No he’s not the only artist in D/ca but he’s the only one he have to worry with…he’ll feed his family tho…on USD $$$$$ benjamins baby!!! so go on neg maron and the rest of allu CRABS. F allu I say. I hope Daddy Chess say it too.
oooooooooooooooooh! Now that’s the attitude!
well if Chess tells us to F off! Then we’ll just say F you too! Easy Shmizzy!
Just like DA’n to say is chess dat say….I DAT TELLING ALLU Haters and crabs to F OFF eh!~
chess please you have nothing to beat dice ,just face the fact that dice is back and you cant compete with him.
Chess Don’t stand a chance against Dice and he know it.
dady ches afaraid to sing about the real issues like how he used to b4…..both he and scrunter…..nonsense….a calypsonian is the public defender…and lashs out at the illss in society……nonsense daddy chess,……nonsesnse….u are a fakeee
“You’re a different person during carnival time, so carnival time we feting with no shame, no face, bold face, shameless.”
This is the worst possible message to send to our youths today. Anyway I hope no one starts to complain when our youth behave in immoral, shameless ways during carnival. The schools, religious institutions and the police are asking them to behave responsibly then we have popular role models like Daddy Chess encouraging them to be boldface and shameless!
I am disappointed in you Chester Letang.
@Disappointed: You’re disappointed in Daddy Chess for what? We have heard the cry from Alwin Bully for youths to step up; so, how is it that you chose a negative connotation to attach to this press release? Couldn’t shameless also be to be proud about your culture in other ways such: as joining a band; wearing carnival colors; or even helping the CDC; or working with a costume builder etc.?
I don’t see how what Daddy Chess said there can cause my teenage girl to behave immoral and shameless. True, society has a role to play in molding our youths; but, I hope we don’t become like some of the industrialized nations, where we look to all outside sources (teachers, the media, Hollywood, artists) to “babysit” our kids for us. To often we make excuses for failing in our responsibility to do the job that God ordained us to do.
Just yesterday my daughter came from school and told me that some teenagers make the word “love” lose its true meaning because they love, break-up and upgrade at a giddying pace. I say this to drive home the point that our children cannot thrive in a vacuum – we have to provide them with a SOLID FOUNDATION of love, accountability/consequences, knowledge and skills, so that when they encounter the vices of life – they will know exactly how to respond……i.e. remain model youths! Give our young people some credit!
I totally agree with you. People tend to put the meaning they want to suit their agenda. Daddy Chess simply means that fête and party, have a good time RESPONSIBILITY. It means no race or prejudice!
Mom you’re so right and i’m just tired of people who themselves show little to no social responsibility much less responsibllity and stewardship in their own domains and constantly want to put the owness to rise the youth on public figures. I’d like these same negative spewing fools to tell us what example they are setting for the youth, and how they have taking the social ills in our society as a cause for action and what exactly are they doing to be ambassadors for Dominica. I Support his right to defend his soca crown, I support the message in ‘SHAMELESS” as one of fun , and enjoyment not a message of debauchery. Daddy chess has no rap sheet, he has not stray children, and has held a job since he left school. He is very likely 10X the example than any of these negative FOOLS!
Mother, I agree 100% with you, people blame society and other people for their unrully behavior, but fail to put the blame the right place which is themselves.
btw that song u sang in the eleminations is a soca so doubt u would have gone finals with that….nice try buddy
Chess I can understand the importance of the “foreign market” with reference to financial opportunities but never turn your back on who and what got you started! People will misinterpret your statement as hinting Dominican massive comes second, but I am sure that is not what you meant. Good luck bro
Knowing Daddy Chess he has never and will never turn his back,,,he explained quite eloquently why he made this ‘foreign affair’ a priority. If someone misinterprets it can only be because they’re an imbecile or they didnt read his entire statement. DOMINICAN TO THE BONE!!!!!!! I for one wish him much success.
Daddy Chess..Just go ahead and take care of your “foreign affairs” business.
Do what is in your interest and get out of our faces. I”m sick and tired of you
trying to rationalise and explain to us your actions.You’re not the only musician
in Dominica. With or without you the PARTY must go on….So jus’ skat!!! my brother.
Trust me Ches its not worth your time to bother with some people. Get your music career in order in the foreign market, make your name while you can. Leave those folks to beat up themselves while they rolling their Dice. Dice cannot write a song to save his life so leave him to make PAT popular, Do what you got to do to make it.
YOU MARON ARE JUST AN @$$! they need to take away your internet access FOOL! bitter jackfool!
WELLL SAID SOFLA
@ negre mawon….why such sentiments? respect seem to be something that you have an issue with. he’s honestly said why he’s not competiting so chill, there was not need to the attack…or is this a reflection of the shallow mindedness of you people