Newcomer to the calypso arena, Gael “Trilla G” Jno.Baptiste who made history this morning after capturing the Calypso monarch title, calls for the calypso genre to be revolutionized.
The 23-year-old made the statement during a live interview with the media shortly after his win.
‘Trilla G’ beat nine other competitors with his two powerful songs ‘Dick Taylor Ship’ and ‘De Boy Cut’ at a show held at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium Forecourt on Saturday night.
“People keep saying that I am young and I may be the future of calypso, I consider myself to be one of the bright stars in calypso…,” Trilla G said. “But I think we can revolutionize the calypso genre a little bit more, bring it back to what it used to be before, and try to create albums so that people can play at any time.”
He continued, “I do not want calypso to be a genre that is dead after Tewey Vaval.
Trilla G said ‘De Boy Cut’, the song he released on the night of the finals, gave him the edge in the competition.
“It’s a song that was written to understand it at the moment,” he stated. “I listened to my team and I had a very strong team that was behind me supporting me and they advised me not to release the song.
He described the song as one that someone can enjoy in the moment, “and we put a presentation together and that is why we went ahead with that strategy and clearly it worked.”
“My music is about sending a message and that is what I basically came into calypso to do and anything else was just an added bonus,” he indicated.
When asked about his experience being on stage with veteran calypsonians, he said “I was just enjoying the fact that I was rubbing shoulders with some of the best entertainers in Dominica.”
He encouraged those who want to use their talent to do so in order to make a statement and create an impact.
“When I just started in the calypso arena people said I came from Bouyon,” he explained. “I just stuck to it and worked hard. I believe if anybody decides to put their mind on something and work hard towards it they will set a standard for themselves.”
Trilla G added, “You can accomplish anything in life.”
When asked what’s next for Trilla G, His response was to continue working on songs or projects.
“You never know in the years to come I can release another calypso song or a single or maybe even an album,” he hinted. “That is the plan and that’s the goal.”
The first runner-up position went to nine-time calypso monarch, Dennison “Dice” Joseph, second runner-up Chester “Daddy Chess” Letang, while Daryl “De Bobb” Bobb secured the third runner-up spot.
The other competitors were; Tasha “Tasha P” Peltier, Jamal “Black Diamond” Lloyd, Phael “De Healer” Lander, Don’Tre “Mighty D” Lockhart, and the 2020 Calypso Monarch Jude” King Jaydee” Delauney.
There were tremendous issues with the judging of this competition. The young lady, Shanice, did an excellent job and should be rewarded with a top four position. Abuse of women doesn’t only occur when they are brutally killed, but it also shows itself when they are not given what they deserve. Trilla-G look very awkward on the stage and should not even be in the top four, but I guess let’s give di young man a chance. Just see where this brought us.
O.K. I preferred Dice but that is the beauty of democracy I suppose. You have freedom of choice and express it. Congratulations to Grilla of course.
Calypso is a difficult genre to navigate. Mastering its many nuancies can be a monumental task for even seasoned practitioners.
A good calypsonian must be able to bring the lyrical heat while simultaneously throwing shade. He or she must must be skilled enough to launch a devastating tsunami like attack as well as a deliberate surgical like character takedown attack.
On the flip side, the crooner must be able to ride the lyrics to entertain, encourage, enlighten, rally and unite when necessary.
Historically, only a precious few Dominican calypsonians have been able to check the required boxes and deliver the goods. It was certainly no different this season. Congrats to Trilla G and the rest of the Finalists for giving a best effort performance!!!
It was stolen away from Dice. But I am not surprised because Satan, the god of Dominica has the money to buy anyone he one and buy any results he wants. If the man can buy UWP deputy president, buy Sam, buy The police commissioner, buy the president, buy the chief judge and magistrate, buy pastors and priests, turn evangelists into an angel of darkness , buy election results, buy Electoral commissioner is calypso judges that serving for free he will not buy to get the king he wants?
First time ever have I read such piece of crap
.The Prime minister has no part to play in Calypso that’s too petty for him he has more class than that
Well adjudicated! Great performances by all the calypsonians. My top two were trilogy and Dice with edge to trilogy and i had shanice and JD as 3rd and fourth. The Bob is always consistent in the top four and always has an amazing display of costume transition. I love the ole school rendition by trilogy and the line that says he not here to bouyonrise caiso. That was brilliant and love his appreciation and respect shown to the art form. To many times the young folks water down originality and it is good to see that a young man takes inspiration from the legendary composers of old. This had me out of my seat.
Finally a new singer competitor, I was routing for him.
Truthfully speaking, the standard of the calypso finals this year was below par. The lyrical content was weak.
Calypsonians need to work on their craft as early as possible for next carnival starting now.
Did you actually pay attention to the songs or you just “heard” them? This year ranks as one of the best, lyrically; even Dice had a lyrically strong song in his first round.