Fya Empress promises bigger things after taking Calypso crown

Calypso Monarch Lornette “Fya Empress” Nedd is promising bigger and better things next year.

After residing in Tobago for the past fifteen years, Nedd returned to her homeland and proved that she is a “True Vincy”, by winning the 2012 Calypso Monarch competition, among other major titles.

Nedd, who was also crowned Queen of Calypso in Tobago earlier this year, told SEARCHLIGHT that she is proud to have been able to return to her land of birth to win the National Calypso competition crown.

“I feel great. I always wanted this to happen, because you cannot get recognition outside unless you have made a stepping stone from where you’re from.

“I’ve been trying to push this since 2007 and this is the year,” Fya Empress said.

With her winning renditions, “I am Woman” and “True Vincy”, Nedd, who originally hails from Richland Park, swayed the judges’ decision in her favour to dethrone last year’s Monarch, Maxwell “Tajoe” Francis, who had to settle for 4th place.

According to Fya Empress, this is the first time in her career as a Soca artiste that she has competed in the National Calypso competition, and after her triumph on Sunday, she has promised “bigger, better things next year.”

“We know what we are working with here now. I have been here since 2007 back and forth so I know, I am gradually learning what their standard of calypso would be, how they would like it to portray on stage, and I am sure that next year it will be better,”she told the media after being crowned.

The new National Calypso Queen also took the opportunity to thank her fans, especially the women, to whom she dedicated her first song “I am Woman”, for supporting her throughout the carnival season.

“Thanks to my women for coming out and supporting this season,” she said.

Fya Empress’s second composition, “Ah True Vincy”, which had a more up-tempo rhythm, was to her, a tribute to St Vincent and the Grenadines, as she showed love towards her homeland, performing in a gown that was tailored in the national colours, Blue, Gold and Green, with the three Diamonds boldly displayed on the back of the fabric.

As she performed the winning song before the fairly large gathering at Victoria Park, patrons were seen swaying with their hands in the air, while others showed patriotism by placing their right hand over their heart as they sang along.

Second spot went to the man who claims to have “Nothin at all, Fitzroy “Brother Ebony” Joseph.

Former Calypso Monarch and calypso veteran of 14 years, Bridgette “Joy-C” Creese took the third position with her renditions “Under the thumb” and “CARICOM-Cari-go”.

Meanwhile, last year’s winner Maxwell “Tajoe” Francis told SEARCHLIGHT that it is now time for him to head back to the drawing board, in an aim to regain the title in 2013.

“What can I say? You win some and you lose some. It’s a competition and the judges’ decisions are final and there is nothing you can do about that… I, however think we had some great calypsos and I previously said that the competition was going to be very keen.

“I am getting ready to write again and come again next year,” he said.

The other calypsonians competing at last Sunday’s National Calypso finals were Poorsah, Zion-I, Abijah, Bump-I, Sunny Banks, Reality and Man Zangie.(AA)