SHOWING resilience in the face of adversity, as the audience “toilet-papered” him at Calypso Fiesta, Kurt Allen impressed the judges to win a place in the finals of the National Calypso Monarch competition on March 2 at the Queen's Park Savannah.
It was the first time in the 27 years he has been a semifinalist at Skinner Park, San Fernando, that he was the subject of boos and jeers by toilet-paper-waving calypso lovers, because they did not agree with the message in his song on February 22.
And yet Allen reminded that two of his competitors, Samraj Jaimungal (Rikki) Jai and Ann Marie Parks Kojo (Twiggy) are entering the finals with his compositions – Kaiso Chutney and 65 and Still Relevant, respectively.
He said he wrote for five people in the semifinals, including Kerice Pascal’s Tears, and for two others who will remain unnamed.
While all the competitors are his friends, he said he has a special relationship with Anthony La Fleur, aka Squeezy Rankin, recently crowned Young Kings 2025 with his popular Justice. Allen said he has been encouraging him, a former freestyle and zess artiste, to get involved in calypso because he saw his potential.
“He told me, ‘Boy, I not ready for this kaiso thing,’ but when I saw him after he released that song, he smiled, hugged me and told me thanks. I am really happy he has made this move and evolved into this type of artiste.”
Allen also had nothing but admiration for Yung Bredda – Akhenaton Lewis, another zess artiste who has made a crossover to soca and calypso. The Greatest Bend Over and We Rise, the latter of which is his selection for the monarch contest, have been steadily gaining him popularity.
“I am really, really impressed with Yung Bredda in terms of where he came from and what he is noted for doing and handling himself with such professionalism in the calypso arena.”
Allen said while he was sitting in his vehicle at Skinner Park, he saw some young people standing around.
“When they announced Yung Bredda, they all ran from that spot to head stageside. That is something we don’t normally see, young people showing any interest towards calypso. He sang a calypso, so that is what made it more interesting for me. I am really happy for him.”
Asked if he was expecting to be selected, judging from the response of the audience and his perceived anti-PNM song, Allen said he topped the preliminary round, and based on the precedent set before when he did so on two occasions, he made it to the finals.
[caption id="attachment_1140847" align="alignnone" width="684"] KURT ALLEN: “I was prepared, knowing the history of Skinner Park, where once you are singing this type of political song, perceived to be anti-PNM, they behave in such a way... The lyrics were not anti-anything.”[/caption]
Last year, he said, when Machel Montano achieved top marks in the prelims, he went straight to the finals.
Although there was a precedent, he knew it was not written in stone and went out among 40 competitors vying for one of 11 spots in the finals to execute and do it well.
