BARBUDA'S FIRST CARIBANA - Antigua & Barbuda

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Calypso profile Trevor Zacari King Trevor King is the first of six children born to the union of George and Yvette King of St. John’s Street in Antigua and Barbuda. From a very early age, he developed an affinity to literature in general, and poetry in particular. Writing and singing calypso was not a part of his plan in those early years. He fondly recalls doing ‘pickong’ on classmates and neighbors just for fun. The art form developed then became very instrumental later in life. In his late teens, Zacari started writing calypso for kids in the neighborhood where there would be concerts at Christmas time. A few of his compositions were later used in calypso competitions, and he eventually put much more effort and time into his past-time. In 1991 he wrote two songs for a seasoned calypsonian. The artist was not comfortable with the lyrics, and decided not to sing the songs. Zacari was confident that the songs were good enough, and if the artiste delivered to his expectations, would make it to the finals. His persuasions were futile In June of 1991 he signed up to sing at Calypso Pepperpot which was located at East Bus Station. On Independence Avenue. Oddly enough he did not have a calypso name. it was only on the opening night that he was given the name ‘Zacari’ by fellow calypsonian Julien ‘Zebeda’ Lawrence. His song took the audience by storm and ‘Jail Them’ became the tent favourite. Having cruised into the semi-finals, it was seen by some veterans as ‘not too bad’, but that was as far as the rookie would go. Semi-finals night, the crowd was ecstatic, not only with the then popular ‘Jail Them’, but the social commentary ‘Guilty of Being Black’. The judges were obviously very impressed, and he was ranked third among the twenty-four, securing a place in the finals. Sunday night, the big night, and Zacari put on the performance of his life, blowing away the competition and was crowned Calypso monarch in his debut year. Very few can boast of such an accomplishment. 1997 signaled the emergence of the Leeward Island Calypso Competition in Anguilla, and Zacari, who was first runner-up was chosen to represent Antigua and Barbuda because of the unavailability of the then Monarch. Zacari became, that year, the first Antiguan and Barbudan to win a regional calypso competition outside of Antigua. He emerged Monarch again in 2001, wearing a crown for the third time. In those years he wrote for a number of other artistes who made the finals. In one memorable year, a competitor for which he wrote, actually beat him into third place. He wrote the winning piece in the Juniour Calypso finals for his daughter ‘Little Kimmy’ in 2002. Zacari’s talent has been sought throughout the region, and in 1993 he wrote for Lady Tasheka in St. Thomas, and again Princess Kiki (St. Thomas) who won the Juniour Monarch Crown in 2006. In our sister Isle Barbuda he delivered winning pieces for King Ikie in 2000, Queen Missie in 2001 and for Singing Nickie in 2005 and 2006. His fiery lyrics (political commentaries) have won the acclaim of many and the ire of a few, while his social commentaries have been lauded by many a Caribbean critic. I need not elaborate on the latter, as this trend speaks volumes about this extremely talented but humble servant of the people. come celebrate our golden jubilee
66 Not too long ago, in the Anglican church in Old Road village, an outstanding voice, considered to be very rare but special, stood out among the other voices in the group she sang with, and won the hearts of many villagers who were assembled in the congregation. The energetic, wiry, intense and personable young lady, who was totally unknown to many in the calypso population, decided to fill the void created by another villager, Ira “Smarty Jnr.” Harvey when he migrated to the United States. Lena “Queen Ivena” Philip is her name. She made her first appearance on the Calypso stage at Miller’s By the Sea in 1998, when a number of calypsonians broke away from the Carnival Development Committee’s (CDC) Calypso Monarch Competition and staged their own. That night, every calypso zealot knew that a ‘star’ Mas Music F a n t a s y Calypso profile Lena Queen Ivena Philip was born when she was adjudged first runner-up in the contest. Attendees to the show were totally mesmerized by the powerful message she delivered when she sang, “Don’t Sing It So” and were moved by the antics she employed as she glided across the stage and behaved as if she owned it. Characterized as a 21st century wonder, Queen Ivena snapped the Female Calypso crown in 2001 from a line-up of seasoned female calypso veterans, and to date has to her credit, four additional Female Calypso crowns which she won in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005, making it five in a row for the new star. History was made in Antigua and Barbuda, for not even the great Sir McLean “King Short Shirt” Emanuel has been able to achieve five wins in a row during his outstanding career which spans over forty years. In 2003, Queen Ivena made history again when she captured the Calypso Monarch crown. The same year she was crowned Calypso Queen of the Caribbean. In 2004 and 2005 she was able to retain the Calypso Monarch titles. This is a considerable feat for a relative newcomer – nine Ann Joseph (9) crowns in five (5) short years. Unbelievable! Queen Ivena, the self-styled ‘Razor Lady’ is a present day phenomenon who seems very comfortable on stage, is able to command your attention, is extremely passionate and is very relaxed during her performances. In the every day scheme of things, Queen Ivena works as a ‘Community Health Aide’ at the Johnson’s Point Clinic. She credits her success in the calypso arena to her after school math teacher and writer, Mr. Cuthbert Best, who is also her neighbour. In 2006, Ivena was dethroned by her ace rival, Queen Singing Althea, who walked away with the Female Calypso crown and first runner-up in the Calypso Monarch competition. This year, Carnival’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, the Razor Lady is definitely back and cutting hard with songs like, “Leggo De Calypso” and “Back on Stage Again,” which are making some of her competitors very nervous. Queen Ivena has really made us all proud, and as we celebrate 50 years of Carnival, we salute Her Majesty, Queen Ivena, for her outstanding achievements in a relatively short time.
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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
Page 16 and 17: Another great moment in my life was
Page 18 and 19: Calypso profile A mechanic, father,
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 30 and 31: Calypso profile Shelly Tobitt Calyp
Page 33 and 34: 70 Stanley R. Humphreys is one of A
Page 35 and 36: continued from p71 financial suppor
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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