Impulse wins Young King title

IMPULSE (Wayne Modeste) is the 2005 Young King Calypso Monarch. The well-known, controversial singer/composer copped the title at the 21st edition of the contest presented by the National Action Cultural Committee (NACC) at Pier 1, Chaguaramas, last Monday night. His offering, titled “Shadow Jumbie,” sufficiently impressed the judges to get the nod ahead of Abbi Blackman, winner of the National Calypso Queen title two weeks ago, who placed second with a colourful performance and energetic rendition of “Ah Seeing.” In third place was Jervae Caesar doing “Pioneers of Emancipation,” while fourth place was won by Karene Asche with her interpretation of a composition titled “Mercy.”

This year’ edition of the event was staged in tribute to veteran calypsonian the Mighty Duke (Kelvin Pope) who remains the only calypsonian to win the National Calypso Monarch title on four consecutive occasions. “He is a true icon in the calypso world,” said a statement on printed the programme. “It is therefore only fitting that he receives an award for all that he has done for the artform.” A large crowd had gathered at the venue for the competition, advertised to begin at 6.30 pm. However, reported malfunctioning of the sound system managed to delay the start by two hours. Therefore, it was 8.25 pm when the first of 28 contestants, Sharlan Bailey, took the stage to offer his contribution titled, “This Place.” Among the participants were several contributions that seemed to find favour with various sections of the audience.

Leslie Ann Ellis’ “Tonight,” Ninjitsu’s (Reynold Joseph) “Full View” and Chris Garcia’s “Douglarise My Country,” had the females in their glee, while Ninja’s (Kenson Neptune) hilarious “Ah Waiting Too Long” had the entire audience in stitches. During the playbill’s interval, Duke was presented with an award and a cheque valued $20,000. Replicas of the Makandal Daaga Challenge Trophy were listed to be presented to The Original De Fosto Himself (Winston Scarborough), Sugar Aloes (Michael Osuna) and Denyse Plummer. Guest appearances were made by Brian London, last year’s Young King, and the Northwest Laventille Cultural Movement. Musical accompaniment was supplied by Earl Knights and the Services Brass, while Sheldon John, Anum Bankole and Shurlayne Hendrickson shared duties of show host.