Chutney champions

While there has been much criticism of the lack of lyrics in chutney songs, the 15 finalists of the NLCB’s National Chutney Soca Monarch competition proved that they had good content this year. The five top chutney soca champions led by Rooplal Girdharie, Nigel Salickram, Adesh Samaroo, Heeralal Rampartap (National Chutney Foundation champion) and Roy Rampersad all gave outstanding performances. Rooplal, who is also a police officer, first won the title in 2000 and he again thrilled the audience with an explosion of music and good lyrics with “Dulahaniya Rey” and “We Eh Going Home Tonight.”  He was ably assisted by the Clico Shiv Shakti dancers. Nigel Salickram of the talented Salickram Family of Magretoute Road, Princes Town, captured everyone’s attention at Skinner Park, San Fernando. His first song, “Thak Din” told the story of a woman who was sent by God to decorate the life of a man and he left the audience spellbound with his presentation of “Festivals of TT.”

Adesh Samaroo, who is just 23 years old and whose “Rum Till I Die” has been a massive hit since its release last year, placed third with “Sadhu Baba” and “Janet Macooing.” Adesh shot to international stardom with “Rum Till I Die” and he proved his worth again when he released yet another bumper CD this year with  crossover hits “Janet Macooing” and “Rajin Jheem Jheem Jhoom.” Adesh is indeed the most happening chutney soca artiste and is totally booked for upcoming shows. Heeralal Rampartap dubbed “Hero from Rio,” sang the nation-building song, “Save the Paradise,” written by his teenage daughter Shakti Rampartap. The song urges  the public to save the country from the constant crime and other negative influences that are now plaguing society.  His second song “Ah Really Really Love Yuh” appeals to the young men in society to stay away from domestic violence and treat their women with care.

Heeralal took the Chutney Soca Monarch title on two occasions. Last year, he created history by winning the two chutney titles including the NCFTT title, which he will defend later this year.Heeralal has been busy since his 2003 win and has performed  in  New York, Canada, Miami, and Florida regularly. Roy Rampersad always seems to come from nowhere and end up in the final competition. He keeps a low profile and on the night of competition gives an outstanding performance. This year, he was the only singer who chose to sing about the dreaded AIDS virus in his “Iron Draws.” He came out on stage saying that there are 40 million people in the world who have the virus and he decided to wear an iron draws in order to keep him from having sex with anyone. His second song “Doh-la-wey” is about the soca chutney rhythm that has the crowds hypnotised. “Chutney music really moves people and this is what I am trying to say in my song,” he said. His two songs were composed by Kenneth Supersad. Roy also expressed his wish to sing “Iron Draws”  for any AIDS programme that is spearheaded by the Government.