UPDATE WITH PHOTOS: Three newcomers among 2013 calypso semi-finalists

Calypso fans enjoying the event

Newcomers Electra, Rachel and Shadow Flow are among the 20 calypsonians who have been selected for the semi-final round of the 2013 calypso competition in two weeks time.

Calypso fans came out in large numbers at the Newtown Savannah for the show which saw 32 artistes perform with the hope of getting a nod from the judges.

As usual, the show started on time at 8:30 pm with Man Himself singing “Liars” and when Picky left the stage at 2:15 am with “House Bound” it was clear that there were going to be some casualties and disappointment.

Speaking to the artistes right after their performances, they all expressed hope and confidence at getting a nod from the judges but it the end among the casualties were former two time monarch Observer, veteran Pickey, Man Himself, seasoned campaigner Mighty Logas and last year’s newcomer Checko who stormed to the finals in his first year of competition.

Another major casualty from the 2012 finals was Vigilante.

Chris Metor (Ghetto Prince) with “Stock Farm Blues,” Kelly Williams with “Papa is you” all made successful come backs and are now through to the semi finals. Ras Kelly, with his well delivered song dedicated to the ‘paros,’ along with new comer Electra, whose song continues to grow along with that of Shadow Flow, who used clear and simple calypso language to bring forth his message, all made it to the semi finals.

The others who made it through were likes of Checker, “When I die and Webb “Legacy” songs penned by Tim Durand were clear entries to the semis along with Black Diamond and his father Explosion, Soul Puss, Jamma B, Daddy Chess “Madness”, Daryl Bobb “Find a way”, Karessah with “Gentle Rest” which speaks about the situation at the islands main hospital, Majar Jeffers Lady Star with “Bail”, Dexter “Deros” Peltier with his growing and popular number “Ba yo babalen.”

Also getting the green light were veteran Scrunter with “Family Prescription,” newcomer Rachael Jno Baptiste with “The Disappearing Voice” and veteran Hunter with “Another Youngster.”

Others were Shadow with “Rum and the Party,” Sye with “My Legacy” and Beno.

See photos below of the performances.

All photos by Zaimis Olmos

 

 

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77 Comments

  1. jenner vital
    January 14, 2013

    them calypso melodies are so not creative.

  2. Anonymous
    January 14, 2013

    I listened and must say Hunter was exceptional. Very powerful song. His delivery was excellent. My scorecard…. Hunter, Karessah, Scrunter, Electra, Rachel, Black Diamond. Pretty close to the judge’s list with the exception of Beno, Web and Bob.

    • Hmmm
      January 15, 2013

      exception of Webb? lol. What kind of judge are you!

  3. opinion time
    January 14, 2013

    a set of boring songs,,,anyways they can’t beat Dicey!

  4. Calypso Fan
    January 14, 2013

    My nine finalists: Webb, explosion, Soul Puss, Daddy Chess, Bobb, Karessah, Lady Star, Deros, and Hunter.

  5. 2Cute
    January 14, 2013

    ALL GHOST PICS HIS EYES CLOSE . I WONDER Y ? :lol:

    • opinion time
      January 14, 2013

      he high!

    • Anonymous
      January 15, 2013

      It’s when he opens them he forgets his songs. lol

  6. 2Cute
    January 14, 2013

    where is the bus driver from ST.jOE ? Cant believe he didnt make it.I would so replace with Daryl Bobb !

    • Chris Banton Support
      January 14, 2013

      2Cute, You are so right. Chris B should have placed instead of Bob. He really did deserve a spot in the Semi Finals.

  7. January 14, 2013

    Boycotting calypso this year. Bunch of boring songs. And Electra you think those women in parliament is a woman’s worth. These women need to step down. they make absolutely no meaningful contribution.

    • opinion time
      January 14, 2013

      one in particular

  8. OOH
    January 14, 2013

    where is lady star

  9. water man
    January 14, 2013

    Where Luguz????

  10. eyeswideshut
    January 14, 2013

    Daddy chess and Shadow flow should no be in semis.point blank and simple!!! They are not singing calypso.
    Everyone pushing Electra…so even with her mediocre song, I expect to see her in finals…my 2 cents

  11. Anonymous
    January 14, 2013

    It is time people understand that Logas cannot sing,he has a great song but he needs to come better to compete with the giants. He needs training. Shadow Flow has a great song, simple calypso lyrics, good message and nice for the road. He deserves to be in. The judges had a tough decision to make and they gid a great job. Everybody cannot make it to the end. Happy carnival everyone.

  12. Reader
    January 14, 2013

    I 100% agree with those who that Shadow Flow should NOT in the semi’s. He was entertaining but does not belong in that line up.

    I’m a fan of Checko but his song needed more work. He started with the white things in your gum – molars and “insiders” – but the connection just was not tight. The arrangement was not spot on. Comforter’s version of the dentist song was much better … great pun – he too does teeth. He’s delivery was a bit patchy though.

    Chris B and Logus were robbed of their place in the semi-finals. Great lyrics, great melody, nice groove.

  13. Anonymous
    January 14, 2013

    COngrats Hunter for the #1 spot!

    • Jane
      January 14, 2013

      Hunter wasn’t number one and you know that… stop spreading tales!!!!! liar!!

  14. Dca Possie
    January 14, 2013

    Where is Logus? What happen?

  15. Warning!!!
    January 14, 2013

    Lugarz and Checko go and sing for the Lord!!! Go back to allu first love and leave kaiso for the greats plz. We need gospel singers so sstay in church plz.

    Dice again for 2013!!!1

  16. Take Heed!!!!
    January 14, 2013

    I am happy de mighty lugarz and checko did not make it. They need to go back to teir first love and sing teir gospel songs. Both were in the finals last year and both did not make it to the semis- hope they learnt their lesson. When the Lord blesses you with a gift use it for his glory. Calypso is not for allu. i love my kaiso but we need gospel singers. Stay where allu strong and leave kaiso for de Dice, de Caressa, de Hunter and the other greats!!!!!

    Dice again for 2013!!!!

    • False prophets
      January 14, 2013

      You r such a confused, double standard X-tian.. the first part of the word doesn’t pertain to you.

    • Birdie
      January 14, 2013

      @ Take Heed: So the other calypsonians and singers gifts of singing are not blessed by GOD? Some of you speak with heightened ignorance it’s simply appalling.

    • Ovaltine
      January 14, 2013

      So are you saying Dice, Caressa, Hunter and the other greats did not get their gift of singing voices from the Lord?

      You may be confused.

  17. Anonymous
    January 14, 2013

    So all those that sing about Mammie their neck cut, lol Mammie put light on them.

  18. grell
    January 14, 2013

    daddy chess dont belong in that dominica is very biased,boycott the show,anyone who hears chester song with common sense will laugh,but thats dominica and the crap will never change.chester should step down.

  19. AHA
    January 14, 2013

    We have to realize that on the night, our favourite calypsonians can fohpah. the singing isn’t clear, the rendition not too strong. so IMO that’s what happened to some. Checko’s song wasn’t strong and he lacked some pizzazz. trendsetter was off key. so, although we support our fav calypsonian, we need to think, Did they DELIVER on that night??

  20. Well look it
    January 14, 2013

    Man…when I look around Dominica, I seeing Eve and Evette and not Adam and Eve. I see alot of Juliette and Julietta and not Romeo and Juliette and I ask myself what is really going on in Dominica today. What is our society coming to? And some men are even condoning that nonsense. Was Eve created for Adam? That’s the question I have. Can somebody please tell me!!

  21. CIA on the watch
    January 13, 2013

    Fifteen Stradum calypsonians to the semi-Finals as oppose to Five of mas Camp calypsonians, must i conclude that the judges only heard the performers from Stardum, I am puzzled as to what place scrunter has in this 2013 semi-finals competition.

    • Bullet inPlaza
      January 14, 2013

      Massss camp fall big time! organizers must crawl back to the drawing board. you lost your salt so now your camp have no taste.

    • Captioned
      January 14, 2013

      I can say the same for Bobb and Soul Pous

  22. shanelle
    January 13, 2013

    where is tasha p

    • January 14, 2013

      she studying

      • shanelle
        January 14, 2013

        Thanks queen. Did not know she is off island

  23. poe-ki-toe
    January 13, 2013

    well competition tight …..papa met (in my asa bantan voice)

  24. Anonymous
    January 13, 2013

    What! Daddy chess made it! With that soca tune in a calypso show. And why not krisby with violence. Dem judges there eh

  25. ROSEAU VALLEY
    January 13, 2013

    Great show! Great display of talents. Lovely calypsos but as usually there are concerns with the judging. We understand that there is no carnival without controversy but something seems wrong, terribly wrong!

    Clearly, once Pat Aaron or maybe Ian Jackson writes for a calypsonian on topical political issues, his chances of success in finding favor with the current crop of judges are diminished even before one starts signing.

    If one sings about an illegal PM, illegal president and the illegal Commissioner, he will be eliminated early as an illegal Calypso King.

    It you sing about infrastructural development and NCIJ minding your business, you want a job to feed your family and for your dignity because you cannot eat concrete, the judges will make sure that you are kicked to the calypso curb in 2013.

    If you sing putting your hands in your pants, between your legs, it does not matter how sweet your calypso- sorry! you are going down in 2013

    Singing a political calypso against the government is a death sentence in 2013

    Singing about Mammy, violence in the country, exhale before you go to jail, your neck will be cut in 2013.

    However, if you are a Hunter, a Scunter, a Chess player or Pelham is now your writer and you are a government singer, congratulations-you will make it to the next level in 2013.

    Something has to done about our process of elections, appointments and yes –even the judging of calypsos in Dominica. I am not being diplomatic. I am not using metaphors and similes or masking but the judges appear to have been at the show for the same Bois Bande flavoured rum that was presented to the US ambassador by the PM and to party with their hands in the air and their legs in their pants in the ways of the DLP. But that may be esqua malpapaye.

    Respectfully
    Roseau Valley

    • Hmmm
      January 14, 2013

      “Clearly, once Pat Aaron or maybe Ian Jackson writes for a calypsonian on topical political issues, his chances of success in finding favor with the current crop of judges are diminished even before one starts signing.”

      That is pure BS! Why must everything be analyzed along political lines! You people will NOT ruin calypso for Dominicans.

      Isn’t it clear that Pat’s offerings are sub standard this year?

      Ian Jackson, on the other hand, it was unfortunate what happened to Chris B, but Lugars screamed through his entire performance. He ensured all on his own that he would not make the next round.

      • Observer
        January 14, 2013

        Such exaggeration of screaming in Lugaz performance. Screamed throughout his whole song? You are a deadly liar!

    • Anonymous
      January 14, 2013

      Oh please!!!! stop the crap. All the years all these ant-government (sometimes nonsensical songs)written biy Pat and others were flying through the semis and finals the likes of you never said anything. Why does everything for you guys have to be about politics. The judges did the best they could with what they heard on the night (not what is played on the radio). It’s about delivering on the night. You guys really need to stop that crap once and for all!!!!!

      • Anonymous
        January 14, 2013

        I agree with you 100% Anonymous

    • Anonymous
      January 14, 2013

      You are a sick man. Were you at the show? I doubt that.. I have never ever heard utter rubbish before. Hunter in fact was the top performer that night with Karessa and Electra. According to the judges and everyone who ATTENDED…

    • IPO
      January 14, 2013

      You are a uwp mule…stop it before hector start riding you

  26. truth
    January 13, 2013

    that judging at quarter finals was pure rubbish
    u telling me shadow flow, ghetto prince, scrunter,
    daddy chess made it to semi final. Where is checko, vigilante,observer PURE …. IN JUDGING SHOW NOW ANY SHOW ESPECIALLY KASIO

    • Captioned
      January 14, 2013

      You have pure GUTS to say Vigilante should have made it with that embarrassing performance. SHAME on those who set him up

    • Met Yo
      January 14, 2013

      Wait ADMIN you allowing people to cuss four letter words in here now?? :?:

      ADMIN: Geez…one mistake and you ready to go to Mars on it?

      • Ovaltine
        January 14, 2013

        Admin, you should not comment within others comment. Reply like everyone else. I may want to thumbs up or down you or the original writer, however it is difficult to judge who is getting the thumbs up or down.

  27. Anonymous
    January 13, 2013

    a set of boring songs that make it through.Where is Logus,and the boy from St Joseph?

  28. Hmmmm....
    January 13, 2013

    Chris Bantan and Loogers were inexplicably left off the final list by the judges – a real travesty of justice. :-?

  29. Value 4 Money
    January 13, 2013

    U mean Trendsetter didn’t make it..wow..unbelievable

    • Captioned
      January 14, 2013

      He must be a male paw paw can’t perform

  30. Annonymous Reader
    January 13, 2013

    I agree with all except Shadowflow. I have nothing against the gentleman, but i don’t think his song was strong enough to push him through the semis. Kris B would have been a better choice or even Trendsetter. I guess he was chosen to give the semi-finals some Juice.

  31. January 13, 2013

    I am very happy for Rachel

    • Free Mind
      January 14, 2013

      Me too

    • just an observation
      January 14, 2013

      she reminds me of Calypso Rose…love her voice n she sings gr8

  32. Jane
    January 13, 2013

    I was at thae show.. I was disappointed that logus and checo were not selected. Karessah was the best,I could not get my eye off this calypsonian. With a performance like that in addition to his usual clssical presentation, I have no doubt that king Dice is in trouble. I was also impress with female contenders.Based on what I saw last night, I have been trying to pic a nine to meet the king and I can only come up with five. It would be nice if DNO could organize a page where the public could pic their nine and later pick their king. Hats off to the organizers and the band who all did an excellent Job!!!!

    • Anonymous
      January 14, 2013

      Karessah repeated a verse. He was NOT the best but he was great.

      • Hmmm
        January 14, 2013

        Karessah repeated a verse? lol. You people will say anything!

      • Ovaltine
        January 14, 2013

        Karessah only sang three verses(intentional) he did not repeat a verse.

        Now I listened to the show and at the end of his performance, the DBS commentator, magistrate Ossie Lewis actually said “Karessa is one of the top calypsonians in Dominica.” Now that coming from Ossie Lewis is one of the greatest compliments he could get.

        Why you may ask? Well in years past, Karessa could sing his heart out, bring the stage down, blow down the whole country and Ossie Lewis would not recognize him. He would talk while Karessa is on stage and fail to acknowledge him. For that reason I did not listen to DBS for a while. However I could not get Q95 for the quarterfinals and so I switch to DBS. Can you imagine my surprise to hear such favorable comments coming from Ossie Lewis!

      • Jane
        January 14, 2013

        Repeated a verse and was #1… dem judges death!! did caressa really repeat a verse? I didn’ hear that at all The man was the most relax calypsonian on that night

      • DA FOR LIFE
        January 14, 2013

        GAS WAS BETTER

    • Met Yo
      January 14, 2013

      What King Dice is eh? Last year Dice made a set of fopa in finals and they give him crown over a flawless Karessah……I waiting eh to see what will happen this year

  33. aye
    January 13, 2013

    Dno pushing Electra. Let’s wait to see what the peoples king coming has. No mighty Lugs, guess that’s it for concrete sandwich….

  34. thickness4so
    January 13, 2013

    where is might lugars nuh??? i cannot eat concrete u kno DNO!

  35. yessah
    January 13, 2013

    big up d man shadow flow .. klokerz representing

  36. Morne Pros
    January 13, 2013

    I am disappointed Chris Banton did not make it. Well better luck next year Chris.
    Big up to Benno!All the best in the semi!

  37. Anonymous
    January 13, 2013

    Where is Trendsetter?
    Where is Vigilante?
    Where is Chris Banton?

    Something has to be done about the poor officiating we the patrons receive every year. Granted the judges are mere humans and of course not immune to making mistakes like that of Daddy Miller not making it to the Quarters. However, one has to question when these mistakes become repetitive year after year!

    Calypso reform anyone. I take this thing serious!

    • IPO
      January 14, 2013

      Who cares, its just calypso…Ash Wednesday is back to more Reggae music…lol

  38. Anonymous
    January 13, 2013

    what happen to twana?

    • dominican canadian
      January 14, 2013

      yes wat hapened to twana she sang a very powerful song those judges a dom

  39. HYPE
    January 13, 2013

    Daddy Chess wife Electra will always make it, even if she sang nonsense. But Checko would never make it because we do not like to hear the truth, and offcourse, he always hit where it hurts. anyway, Hunter, big up! great and wonderful song there. None of them can bet ya!

    • IPO
      January 14, 2013

      Checko need to move off this thing aout singing about people…make a good song and he in

  40. sunflower
    January 13, 2013

    what is Bobb and Beno doing in semifinals

    • Mweh mem
      January 14, 2013

      I still trying to figure out Bobb’s song; Chris B deserved a chance although his voice was not so good on the night. Anyway we have to remember they have to have necks to cut on semi-finals night. Plenty of them not making it…just part of the process, let’s sit back and enjoy. No Kaiso show without controversy…

  41. domlec man
    January 13, 2013

    robbery, to put shaddow flow , beno, explosion, scrunter before chriss b, trendsetter, and logas

    dca calypso going down… to political…. i heard a lady was hoping mad for the line cannot multiply …espoi mal papai

  42. January 13, 2013

    whoy

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