Stiff competition at Stars of Tomorrow

The event hosted by the National Youth Action Committee (NYAC), was held at the Daaga Hall, UWI, St Augustine before a very appreciative crowd.

Fifteen contestants battled on the calypso stage to be crowned a champion. The results of the competition will be released later this week. Standing out on the night were several contestants which included Kyle Cowie, Nicholas Ashby, Sasha Ann Moses, Mark Eastman, Jhevon Jackson and Wendell Goodridge.

Cowie who is no stranger to calypso competition and also competed in the STOC last year, gave another energetic performance.

Cowie who is a part of the ‘Itzabrand’ team organised by soca singer/songwriter Asten Isaac, showed that he is definitely a force to be reckoned with.

He paid tribute to the competition’s founder Makandal Daaga, with his ditty “Hail the Chief ”. In song, he listed all of the deceased human rights activist’s accomplishments.

Singing “Ancestors Freedom Prayer” with an extremely solid performance was Nicholas Ashby. Backed by images of slaves labouring on a sugarcane plantation, Ashby reminisced on the struggles that Africans endured. It was that endurance that sparked different woeful prayers for freedom. The competition got really interesting when Sasha Ann Moses sang, The Main Witness. Sasha’s performance started off a little unconvincing as her emotions didn’t match the lyrical potency of the song.

It wasn’t until the second verse that she immersed herself in the moment and ended the performance extremely strong. Her great ending was evident by the standing ovation that was given to her.

Jhevon Jackson truly entertained, as his performance included a cameo from soca mascot Uncle Ellis.

His song “Destiny” encouraged persons to do what they love and love what they do, without being sidetracked.

He referenced the theme of the song to the life story of Uncle Ellis, who up until December 2015 was still dancing in front of KFC, Port-of-Spain.

Uncle Ellis was first used by soca singer Yankey Boy as a prop at Soccer Fete. Ellis is now managed by another person and has released a soca song entitled “ I Doh Mind”.

The hook from I Doh Mind was used in Jackson’s performance.

By the time Wendell Goodridge (who was the final contestant) hit the stage, most had already chosen their winner. Goodridge, however gave most much to think about.

While his stage props were simple, his lyrical content was tremendously potent. His song focused on the ills of society and the blame game that everyone plays when the ills of the country are unresolved and continuous.

NYAC also hosts the Young Kings and Young Queens Competition.

They would be held on Feb 6th at the Queen’s Park Savannah and February 13th at Queen’s Hall.