Cro Cro takes Independence Calypso Monarch title

The competition was presented by the TT Independence Calypso Monarch Competition committee in collaboration with Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO), and staged under the patronage of Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs Joan Yuille-Williams.

Offering his two new compositions "Independence Gone" and "They Love Me Now," Cro Cro was without a doubt the "people’s choice" for the title — a sentiment that apparently influenced the judges’ decision, since seemingly lyrically stronger compositions from some of the other finalists were showcased in the contest. His prize was a new Euro Ford Focus motor car valued at $165,000, courtesy Mc Enearney Motors and TUCO.

The adjudication panel comprised Hugh Grant, Ezekiel Benjamin, Earl Caruth, Lloyd Gellineau, Phyllis Cumberbatch, Claudia Lewis and Canute Spencer.

Placing second for the $75,000 prize was Luta (Morel Peters) with his selections "Check Yuh Foundation" and "Kaiso Kaiso," while Bally (Errol Ballantyne) collected $50,000 for his third spot placing with "The Voice" and "Big Black Man."

An uncharacteristic, lacklustre performance from the Calypso King of the World the Mighty Sparrow (Dr Slinger Francisco) of his selections "Principles of Independence" and "Good Citizen" earned him the fourth spot and $25,000 prize.

Crazy’s (Edwin Ayoung) almost flawless presentation of "Oh Land of Mine" and "In Time To Come" earned a surprisingly low fifth placing, while Devon Seale’s Gregory Ballantyne’s (GB) compositions "Donut Country" and "Parallel" took sixth spot. In seventh place was The Original De Fosto Himself (Winston Scarborough) with "Is It Safe" and "The Report." Eighth was Sheldon Reid — "We Never Fought" and "One Million Shall Rise." Ninth place went to Bunny B (Neville Browne) for "Photographs On The Wall" and "Grey Hair," while the tenth position was filled by Anthony Johnson who offered "The Question" and "Neglect."

The event attracted a fairly large audience that was additionally entertained by guest appearances from Regeneration Now (Paul & Lewis), ace pannist Len "Boogsie" Sharpe and veteran calypsonian Black Stalin (Leroy Calliste), as well as scintillating musical accompaniment from Roy Cape and the Kaiso All Stars.

Tokens of appreciation were presented to Mac Donald Ward of the Mas Camp Pub, as well as participants in the first Independence Calypso Competition staged in 1962.

Additional sponsors of the contest included Carib, Angostura, Coconut Growers Association, and National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB).

Show hosts were radio personalities Sharon Pitt and Wendell Constantine.