22 battle tonight for Calypso finals place

Carnival lovers and cultural aficionados are no doubt making final preparations for Vincymas 2024. The “Hottest Carnival in the Caribbean” will kick into high gear tonight in fantastic fashion. It’s Fantastic Friday and calypsonians will take centre stage at Carnival City, Victoria Park. The Calypso semi-finals show will feature 22 calypsonians all vying for a place in the finals of the Carnival Development Corporation’s (CDC) calypso competition on the night of the Dimanche Gras, Sunday July 7.

Last year, Lornette “Fya Empress” Nedd claimed the calypso monarch title with her song “The Price of Neglect”, making her a three-time winner, having won in 2012 and 2017.

Nedd, obviously no push over, will attempt to retain her crown and take home the increased prize money of EC$30,000, up from EC$25,000.

Also looking for places in the finals tonight are the Upstage Calypso Tent’s Divyne “Syke” Hackshaw, Omani Cupid, Shena Collis, Ceceile “lil Bit” King, Raeon “Madzart” Primus, Gosnel “GC” Cupid, and Micheal “Lord Have Mercy” Ollivierre.

GC, Omani and Shena were in the finals last year, with Shena placing second.

Competing for a spot in the finals from the Dynamites Calypso tent are Delahanty Isles and Dennis Bowman, while the Graduates Calypso Tent is fielding Johnny Rebel, Maxwell “Tajoe” Francis, Kingsley “Hero” Roberts, Glenroy “Homie” Delpesche, Phylicia “Nubian Empress” Alexander, and Abuza Cyrus. Nubian Empress and Francis were in the finals last year.

On Tour Calypso tent will have on display, Alvin “Zion-I” Dennie, Marvo Morgan, Robert “Patches” King, Elvis “Abijah” Abbey, Glenford “Azarah” Charles, Hilton Duncan and Kirk “Ninjah” Knights. Patches made the finals last year.

Tonight, three finalists attached to the CDC’s Ex-tempo competition will also grace the stage at Victoria Park, while retro DJs, Jude De Cool Dude and DJ Kano will provide entertainment. The CDC last week announced increased prize money for winners in the various components of carnival, sweetening the competition and enhancing the incentive for participants.