Black Sage tops Extempo prelims

However, in the first round of competition, both Lady Africa (Lesley Ann Bristow) and Short Pants (Llewellyn McIntosh) garnered the majority of the crowd’s support with their witty and thought-provoking extempo offerings.

The show got underway with a one-minute silence in memory of Big B (Leroy Birch) who passed away late last year.

Round one started with Lady Africa singing on the topic "Soca Warriors" in which she took a shot at the promoter who called for a name adjustment to include "chutney" in the term "Soca Warriors."

Short Pants followed with his topic "Valentine," which was appropriate given the fact that the day of the show was on Valentine’s Day. He relayed in song how peeved he was in having to compete on such a day when he could have been presenting roses and a glass of wine to his valentine.

He said something was wrong with TUCO for hosting the competition on that night, adding kaisonians can also be in love and that he was "vex" with the situation since his valentine might be gone when he is finished competing. The audience roared its approval.

Lingo was next singing on "Law and Order" in which he touched on crime within the protective services, saying with officers breaking the law, disorder was the result.

While singing on the "Bird Flu Epidemic," Contender (Mark John) hoped the disease did not reach Trinidad and moreso that his bird doesn’t get the flu.

Brother B’s (David Browne) topic, "There Is No Other Like Lara," highlighted star batsman Brian Lara’s records. Myron B who sang "Children Learn What They Live," touched on crime within the homes and sex in schools. Evris (Zano) Manzano sang about "Divas Take Over Kaiso," while Gary Ranks’ treatment of "Who Kicked Out Robin" was pretty good. He even hinted that it may have been UNC chairman Basdeo Panday who gave the bird wings to fly.

Jason Ewing’s topic "Food Prices Too High" had him revealing that he could only eat on certain days, and if prices don’t go down, he may have to share some "bull pistle" in Parliament.

Black Sage topped the field with his topic "The New Generation," stating that it was the next generation which had Trinidad riddled with crime.

However, he made it clear that the one or two good ones, including the TT cricket team, gave the nation some hope. He contended that good examples from parents would make a better generation.

Hezekiah Joseph’s offering was "Calypso History Is Important." Last year’s Young King Brian London took the stage with one of his hands in a cast. When he pulled the topic "Domestic Violence," the audience roared with laughter. Kisskidee’s "We Environment In Trouble" got a response from the crowd. In the end, the judges ruled the seven finalists in order of merit and final standings were:

(1) Black Sage; (2) Brother B; (3) Contender; (4) Everest (Zano) Manzano; (5) Hezekiah Joseph; (6) Lady Africa and Short Pants, who placed seventh.