With a song entitled ‘Go and love your neighbor’, Daryl “The Bobb” Bobb, has been crowned the first-ever Virtual Calypso Monarch here in Dominica, walking away with the grand prize of EC$5000.00.
At the final round of the competition, held on February 12, 2021, at the Old Mill Cultural Center, the veteran outshined Tasha P who came in second taking home EC$3000, and first-time finalists Sour Sour and AbiYah, who came in third and fourth earning $2000 and $1500 respectively.
Speaking to the media, the Virtual Monarch stated, “well I am very much elated. When I think about the amount of work that was put into this show being an executive member of the Calypso Association, and then having to be a performer and on top of that to go on to win, can you imagine how I feel inside having to wear both hats? It’s just a very very wonderful feeling. I really can’t find the words to explain it to you.”
The Bobb pointed out that he expected the competition to be tight, given that his rivals included several of Dominica’s top calypsonians, but believes he edged them out with his energy, body language, and stage performance.
While he made history by winning the first competition of its kind, he did lament the fact that the show had to be downscaled, hastened, and only included one round.
“This year’s level of calypso, I really wish we had a full-fledge Calypso season with two songs but I am still satisfied because everybody was on an even playing field, but it was tough because most of us our preparation was very late because we were wondering, are we going to have carnival, are we not going to have it, should we have a show or not,” he said. “So there was that contemplation going on all the time and the inspiration of love thy neighbor as thyself, it came to me very late. It actually came to me in December, and Pat and I just started thrashing it out very nicely.”
According to the veteran, his next move includes more music, of different genres and developing the craft of calypso.
This being his second crown in the calypso arena, he vows to “step the energy up and carry the energy into the next season.”
He encouraged carnival lovers to respect the new protocol put in place by the Government of Dominica for the next few days as it will severe in the best interest of all citizens in our fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
The other calypsonians who made it through to the first-ever virtual finals included Jay Dee (the reigning Monarch who was not dethroned), nine-time winner King Dice, government minister Karessah, seasoned crusaders Hunter, Observer, Checker, De Oracle, Checko, as well as first-time finalist, Trinity, and Nachelle, who walked away with a participation prize of EC$500.00.
Congrats King Bobb!. Well deserved.
Good song!. Hats off to all the other calypsonians!. Keeping the artform solid.
Well done Bobb…always been rooting for you even in the day you weren’t winning.
You guys keep kill the art form year after year (judges) stop judging personality I don’t see where or how this man could win the show on Saturday night also the fist runner up .but I notice wat ah goon who is sour sour to get king if we don’t stop those discrimination an double standard we are going to kill calypso in Dominica ah mi say so
Congratulations King! You did it again! When dey doe like you they will say any and everything to hold you down but tell them Go and love dere neighbor
“It’s just a very very wonderful feeling. I really can’t find the words to explain it to you”–news article
Bobb I do not know you in person and so do you about me, but I certainly agree with you, in that you may not know it, but it is very hard to speak the words of the Spirit and that is what you explained above, most certainly!
I wish I could have heard the lyrics of your song, because the title is a message of the Spirit, spoken to us by our Lord Jesus.
That is the way God’s Holy Spirit does His work of Love through us, His people. We don’t know that it is Love we are doing, until He decides to tell it to us–you great win is an example of this “Truth”.
I love your shirt and I wish I could see your moves with that song. Do your know that the title of the song is part of the first two Laws of Love that Jesus commanded us to do?
They are first, to “love God” and secondly, to “love our neighbor as ourselves” Way to go, my friend!
Congrats King Bobb and all the others!
You performed and love the song.
So they should call you Virtual Monarch!
Sorry folks but Lady S should have been included. I know some of us are uneasy with the lyrics of her song but that is what calypso is all about, a commentary and a mirror reflecting society at the time as well as taking a shot at those in high places. Her tune and presentation were beyond reproach. Anyway, that is my opinion and I’m glad I’m still free to say so.