Shernelle “Skarpyon” Williams is the 2004 Ragga Fest King. With his number “On Fire”, he outpointed ten other contenders to secure the title last Sunday at Victoria Park in an event staged as part of the 25th independence anniversary celebrations. {{more}}

Skarpyon has been around musical circles since his days at the Evesham Primary School. He progressed through the Marriaqua Secondary School and made his mark in the Junior Calypso competition where he placed among the top three. His talent was spotted and nurtured by experienced musician Joffre Venner, and his dedication to the music industry paid dividends on Sunday.

Skarpyon was full of respect for Venner, and he also praised the dance troupe La Gracia. Six members, dressed in two types of outfits, meshed well with Skarpyon’s presentation and in the end the 2004 Ragga Fest crown went to him. He beat 2004 Road March and Soca King, Bomani, into second spot. Bomani, with his number “Booty Call”, could not douse Skarpyon’s fire.

Skarpyon attributed his triumph to experience. But for him, the art form is not for him to acquire fame.

“I am on a mission,” he asserted, and as far as he is concerned that journey is “to be where the music can take me”. Skarpyon also sees his success “to do justice to my talent”.

A fruit-quality assessor with the Windward Islands Banana Development Company (WIBDECO), Skarpyon was right on the job with his Sunday production.

He confessed his love for the art form and spoke of his management of his nephew, Hance “De Man Hance” Williams who took the 2003 Junior Soca Monarch title.

“I tried to create something different. I try to take it up there,” Skarpyon pointed out.

“You cannot sing music on straight vibes,” he went on as the 2004 Ragga Fest King reflected on his versatility, range and style of his composition.

He boasted of his composition as having a mixture that is adaptable to the old and the new.

For Skarpyon, “This win is just to show people what I have.”

But he is not one to grab any accomplishment as an individual triumph, for he sees whatever success comes his way as a benefit to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Pat Ralph with “D Ride” placed third; Kahalia Beach, who did the number “Rock Me” took the fourth spot; and Rohan “Mint” Martin with “I Love the Way” placed fifth.

The other finalists were 2003 Ragga King, DJ Twenty, who sang “Moving”; Becka’s “Stay With Me”; Skinny Fabulous with “Jiggle”; Squitty’s “Hold You”; Shaka’s “Oh Boy”; and Syxx with “Salsa”.

The band HS Phactor provided musical accompaniment.