Dynamite Calypso Tent explodes at Cafe’ Omar

by Maxwell Haywood

On the night of Saturday, June 7, 2014, inside Cafe Omar in Brooklyn, New York, the Brooklyn based Vincentian Dynamite Calypso Tent sent a very clear signal that it is a force to be reckoned with in the National Calypso Monarch Competition of Vincy Carnival 2014, and, in general, the cultural life of Vincentians at home and abroad.{{more}}

This clarion signal was emitted by the Dynamites when they performed before the judges (Earl Paynter, Eustace Maloney, and Aubrey Gould) in the preliminaries of the National Calypso Monarch Competition. From start to finish the Vincentian calypsonians residing in the USA and Canada fired off a fusillade of social commentary that gave the judges and fans a lot of substance to reflect on.

Opening the competition was Delano “Detector” Joseph, who delivered his song called “Prove them wrong.” He lamented the trials he has gone through with his calypsoes. He did not blame the judges for his situation. But all through his tribulations, he is self-confident that all those with evil intentions against his efforts, he will surely prove them wrong.

Then it was a very emotional moment when veteran calypsonian Vincent “Groovy D” Kennedy, who is recovering from a stroke that almost took his life, made his way to the stage with assistance of other people and his walking stick. In his song titled “You Never Know,” he wasted no time in telling his life-long struggle to be positive and his struggle against near death from a stroke. But in all of that he insisted that his hopes are high to win the calypso crown this year. His performance was a display of human resilience against extreme circumstances.

Then Denis Bowman, the New Song Competition winner of the launch of Vincy Mas in New York in May 2014, delivered his popular song called “To build airport.” He will not be deterred from supporting the country’s efforts to build the nation’s only international airport. He emphatically described the herculean efforts of the Government to build an international airport. He was in no mood to entertain any condemnation of these efforts.

Delanti “Singing Della” Isles paid tribute to the significance and centrality of “Human Rights” and demanded that they be properly applied. She firmly made the point that full and genuine respect for human rights could banish poverty.

Jose Juan, in his song “South East burning,” projected a positive reflection and tribute to the South East Steel Orchestra. His song reminds us of the beauty and life-pleasing nature of our steel pan music culture.

With his trade mark in creating jumpy calypsos, Kenroy “Jakie” Jack, in his song called “Plant fire,” was in a mood of a strict teacher, parent or guardian and he sent a message and lesson to some of the soca artistes that they need to approach the soca culture properly and with respect. He highlighted their reckless approach to creating songs that do not advance soca music throughout the world. Therefore, he is creating plenty fire in the place. He is not going down without a musical fight. He is warning that it will be fire in the place.

Continuing in the calypso fire tradition, Errol “D Man Age” Rose, in his song titled “Take back we country,” belted out an appeal to take back St Vincent and the Grenadines from whom he called past and present heartless politicians, hypocrites and opportunists.

With the audience now settled, John “The Truth” Dougan, in his song titled “Key to success,” lamented the bad treatment given to people who have studied and acquired a university degree, but cannot find productive employment. In a soulful manner, he described the lack of meritocracy within SVG and the global socio-political culture. The audience loved and showered it with loud applause.

Describing an aspect of relations between Vincentians at home and abroad, Earl “Exposer” Isles, in his song titled “Yankie,” pushed back against sentiments expressed by some people in St Vincent and the Grenadines that Vincentians abroad should be called Yankees. He highlighted evidence to show that Vincentians at home have adopted much of the American lifestyles. He too received loud applause.

In similar style to Denis Bowman, Carlos “Rejector” Providence, with his song “No excess baggage,” conveyed a vigorous defense of his support for building an international airport in St Vincent and the Grenadines. He cannot wait to leave behind all the travel woes of the Vincentian experience. He unapologetically appealed to Vincentians to unite, regardless of political party opposition to the building of the international airport.

Using the double entendre method, Mervin “MC Bobb” Bobb, in his song called “Go back in dey,” shared with the audience a message about ending intimate relationships. He warned that there could be negative social consequences in breaking up relationships. He warned all macho men about how they conduct themselves with the woman with whom they are in a relationship. They should not use women and walk out on them for no credible reason.

The last, but by no means least, Dynamite to perform was David “Chang I” Morgan, who in his song titled “Who is a friend,” won the hearts of many with another very soulful rendition, in which he shared his experience between himself and his son, as he listened to his son seeking his fatherly advice as to how to identify a friend. On becoming a man, his son was anxious to get his advice to deal with some of the challenges with those around him acting like friends.

The Dynamties have delivered. The question now is: Will the dynamites continue its tradition of getting a relatively high number of selections for the semi-finals of the National Calypso Monarch Competition? It is all left to be seen.