Former minister of the arts and culture Winston “Gypsy” Peters retained his National Extempo Monarch crown, beating his main rival Phillip “Black Sage” Murray at the National Academy of the Performing Arts, Port-of-Spain on Thursday night.
He captured the first prize of $200,000 in the extempo category of TUCO’s Kaisorama competition which saw the finals of three categories being contested in addition to extempo: political, social commentary and Humourous.
It was Gypsy’s 12th extempo win, a feat no one else has accomplished in the history of the competition.
Hours after his victory, Gypsy admitted that it pained his heart to see what Carnival had become.
“It totally pains my heart because I am from the old school. I am not accustomed to this kind of thing at all,” the 65-year-old bard said, in reference to the legal action commenced by contestants in Dimanche Gras.
“There were many times that the judges left me out of competitions and I believed I should have been there. But I didn’t go and make anything about it. The only time I would complain is if they have 12 contestants and they put me 13th.”
Stating that bacchanal rhymed with Carnival, Gypsy admitted that the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO) had rules to adhere to, some of which may be ambiguous, but which were now being raised.
He said Thursday’s decision by Justice Frank Seepersad in the court to allow St Vincent-born Lornette “Fya Empress” Nedd-Reid back into the final of the Calypso Monarch competition would now set a precedent that would have to be followed in future competitions.
“I don’t like the direction in which the squabble is heading. It seems that all 43 semifinalists want to be in the finals. It seems that doh matter who you put in the final they want to find a fine point why they should be there,” Gypsy said.
The entertainer also called for an audit into NCC, TUCO, NCBA, and Pan Trinbago which manages Carnival events.
“I think that is going to keep people honest, accountable and the organisations’ credibility intact,” said Gypsy, who resigned from Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s People’s Partnership government in 2015.
The former Mayaro MP said he was well-received by the crowd, which was no different to the reception he got at Skinner Park, San Fernando, where he performed as a semifinalist for the Calypso Monarch competition.
Gypsy said the toilet paper that patrons were waving was not for him but for his political association.
“It was not like they were vex. There was no hostility in what they were doing. They were putting up that toilet paper so I could extempo on them and I knew that.”
Basking in the glory of his success, Gypsy, a finalist in tomorrow’s Calypso Monarch competition said he wanted to make it a double victory for the 2017 Carnival.
“I am going for the second crown,” he joked yesterday.
Seven contestants—Brian London, Hezekiah Joseph, Lingo, Lady Africa, The Incredible Myron B, Abebele and Black Sage were listed to perform in the first round of the competition, one of whom would have taken on Gypsy, the defending champion, in the final.
London, however, failed to show when his name was called to draw for a position in the Extempo first round.
Barefoot Fya Empress competes
Earlier in the day, London was in the Second Civil Court, San Fernando, challenging the the decision by TUCO to deduct four points from his score sheet in the semifinals of the Calypso Monarch competitons because he exceeded the nine-minute time restraint. He was unsuccessful in his bid and will not be able to perform in the competition on Sunday.
London said he suffered two defeats in one day, as his application to get into the final was turned down and he could not square off against his challengers.
However, minutes after Nedd-Reid emerged victorious in court, she entered the social commentary segment of Kaisorama to prove to the public that she was no pushover.
“It was one of my worst performances. I wanted to prove to T&T that no matter what situation you are in you should never give up. I was distressed for two days. I performed in the same clothes I attended court in. My face was filled with pimples and I was barefoot. I was in a mess, but I felt good that I could do it on my own.”
Nedd-Reid who sang Guilty came third. Terri Lyons took home the title, while Sasha Moses placed second.
In the political commentary competition, Maria Bhola La Caille won the judges’ nod. Capturing second place was Victoria Cooper and third was Selvon Noel (Mistah Shak).
The Humourous Category saw Myron Bruce (Myron B) taking the crown with Heather Mac Intosh taking second and Haven Charles (Snakey) claiming third spot.