BARBUDA'S FIRST CARIBANA - Antigua & Barbuda

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Calypso profile A mechanic, father, calypsonian, composer, tent operator, tourism ambassador etc! Xmas Day 1949 marked the arrival of Ogliver Jacobs, better known as The Lord Destroyer, affectionately dubbed, Destroyer Senior, is the uncrowned Calypso King of Antigua & Barbuda, with a career that spans over 40 years and counting. He was born to a poor working class family of thirteen children in Potters Village . He was a twin child. Like most Antiguan boys, at the time, he was able to find meaningful employment at the Antigua Sugar Factory on leaving school. Singing “benna” was his first love but due to a lack of opportunities, he was unable to showcase his Godgiven talents in the entertainment field. As a complete calypsonian and entertainer, Mighty Sparrow has always been his icon. Destroyer has acknowledged that Mighty Sparrow has earned his rightful place as “King of the Calypso World.” However, Destroyer got the opportunity to see his idol for the first time while he performed at the Gem Cinema in 1967. Leading up to Carnival ’67 in Antigua he approached Oscar Mason and was registered to perform at the Calypso Tent located at Kensington Bar which was run by Darcy. During the season, he performed a song named, “CAT O’ NINE,” which was a social commentary addressing issues relating to crime. Lord Destroyer was well received during that season. In those days, Oscar Mason, in addition to being bandleader, was also the paymaster. Destroyer recalled being paid thirty-five cents to perform at the tent. Smarty Senior, Calypso Brain, Mighty Dove, Lord Lee, Creole, Bottle, Short Shirt, Skeetch, Mighty Swallow, Falcon (Lady Falcon’s father), Britannia and Bold Face were amongst the prominent calypsonians then. He also recalled that Marcus Christopher was the top composer as he wrote Ogliver Destroyer Jacobs Richard Apparicio for many of the calypsonians. Like most artistes, Lord Destroyer had his share of rejection by the judges. His first fate occurred in 1968 when he rendered “RIOT” and “EDUCATION.” He was depressed with the decision, but not dejected, and was told that regardless of the quality of his songs, the judges had little interest in political commentaries. However, there was love and unity amongst the calypsonians when compared to the type of rivalry being exhibited nowadays. Lord Destroyer never lost interest in his first love - calypso. He had his fair share of dreams of capturing the Calypso Monarch title in Antigua. The early 1970’s brought many changes. There was a change in the local government while the Carnival Committee introduced the Caribbean Calypso Competition as part of its programme. While these changes were taking place, Destroyer enjoyed great success in the 1971 season with his songs “HIGHWAY CODE” and “PROBLEMS OF THE WORLD”. He was able to secure the first runner-up position that year. He recalled, that Kaiso Joe was involved in a motor vehicle accident and never participated in the eliminations (semi-finals) but granted a pass into the finals and captured the crown. Despite this decision, Destroyer and his fellow competitors accepted the final outcome at the competition without any hard feelings. While Lord Lee was adjudged 2nd runner-up, Short Shirt, because of a disagreement with Oscar Mason did not compete in the local competition but went on to regain his crown in the Caribbean Calypso Competition. Antigua’s Carnival continued to grow by leaps and bounds with the Calypso Competition becoming the flagship of the festival. Meanwhile, Destroyer had established himself as a consistent finalist and a household name in calypso. While Short Shirt and Swallow shared the reigns of calypso supremacy, Destroyer had to wait for another sixteen years before he came close again to calypso supremacy. In a truly memorable outstanding performance in the finals in 1989, Destroyer was so near and yet so far from Calypso Monarch. He soldiered on. The following year, 1990, saw the arrival of his son, Leston Jacobs who performs under sobriquet “Young Destroyer” on the calypso scene. At the tender age of eight, he walked away with the Junior Calypso Monarch title. With the combined efforts of Destroyer as composer and Young Destoryer as artiste, they have been able to achieve victory in the declared land of calypso, Trinidad & Tobago. Young Destroyer walking away with the Caribbean Youth Calypso Competition in 2002 and the Carifesta Calypso Monarch Competition in 2006. While we celebrate our Golden Jubilee, Mighty Destroyer and Young Destroyer are now forty years and eighteen years on the calypso stage. Hats off to these two great calypso icons for a tremendous contribution! Long live the Destroyers! God Bless! come celebrate our golden jubilee
56 Calypso Mas Music F a n t a s y profile Muerah Artist Boddie Finally meeting and having a conversation with Artist for the first time eight weeks ago was surely an inspiration. He is one of those calypsonians that many people do not take seriously because of the types of songs he sings, but Artist is very deep. Back in the early seventies, Artist sang and entertained patrons along with Sir McLean Emanuel (King Short Shirt) at Town House, one of Antigua’s popular night spots, which was located on Nevis Street near to where the Dollar Building now sits during the early 1970’s. Artist sports a sort of serious, mystical demeanor and is a very simple, yet complicated individual. Over the years, he has produced some of the best double-meaning calypsos, complete with good melody, the relevant lyrics and great humour. Who can forget songs like Arthur Bird,” “Quality Wood,” “Vivi Richards Stand,” “Rough Ride,” “Vitamins and Iron” and this year, 2007, “The Business.” Artist expresses a variety of figurative skills and his play on words is fantastic. A sign painter by profession, Artist is extremely creative and should be recognized for his tremendous contribution to the art form (calypso) over the years.
Page 1 and 2: 38 King Goldie First Caribana King
Page 3 and 4: 40 I remembered some years ago as I
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Page 9 and 10: 46 As far back as I can remember, a
Page 11 and 12: 48 Calypso is defined as a popular
Page 14 and 15: Sir McLean Emanuel better known as
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Page 20 and 21: Calypso profile Althea Queen Singin
Page 22 and 23: In 1997, Scorpion became the first
Page 24 and 25: When Rupert “Baba” Blaize was i
Page 26 and 27: In the calypso sphere there are som
Page 28 and 29: Calypso profile Trevor Zacari King
Page 30 and 31: Calypso profile Shelly Tobitt Calyp
Page 33 and 34: 70 Stanley R. Humphreys is one of A
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Page 38 and 39: Antigua’s Carnival is different,
Page 40: MasprofilE Colin Wanga Martin Lesro

BARBUDA'S FIRST CARIBANA - Antigua & Barbuda

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