REIGNING Tobago monarch Dillon Thomas says he will definitely need to up his game to retain the crown in the October Calypso Monarch competition on October 24 at the Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort, Lowlands.

'I feel like I have to get ready because there are some big names in the competition. So it is about taking my time and getting myself ready through preparation and presentation,' he told Newsday on October 18.

Thomas will come up against nine other calypsonians in the competition, which is being organised by the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO).

The organisation's Tobago zone held auditions on October 6 and the finalists were revealed in a release on October 7.

Thomas, aka Dilly Suede, created history earlier this year when he became the first Tobago monarch to gain automatic entry into the finals of the national calypso competition in February at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain. His song, It Wasn't Me, composed by his brother, Sheldon Reid, dealt with the infamous THA 'audiogate' controversy.

TUCO president Ainsley King said at a prize-giving ceremony in Tobago on December 1, 2022, that the body was examining the possibility of letting the winner of the Tobago October carnival calypso monarch competition qualify automatically for the national finals. The idea was subsequently approved.

Of the line-up for next week's competition, Thomas said, 'My two sisters inside (Wendy Garrick and Nicole Thomas) and then Punchin, he does come with some good songs, good presentations. They have some good voices in there too. Sharon Phillips is a very tough person.'

He said his calypso, Hard Like Banga, is a social commentary about the youths.

'I am looking at how they are going astray and I want to teach them in a different light and just try to guide them and to let them know that they could always change their path if they choose.'

Thomas, who grew up in Mt St George, said he is confident about its message.

'I looking forward to the event and showcasing the song.'

Reflecting on his Dimanche Gras performance, Thomas said, 'I sang on that stage already - not under competition, but that same stage. So it was very exciting to be there and it gave me a sense of comfort to carry out my performance for the night. My confidence was okay. I had no real fear.'

Thomas, a Public Transport Service Corporation employee, is also a certified theatre practitioner.

Other finalists: Alex Gift (Tobago Chalkie)

Caston Cupid

Pleise Orr

Kenneth Thomas (Punchin)

Nicole Thomas

Roslyn Reid (Roslyn)

Sharon Phillips

Stephanie Joseph

Wendy Garrick

The post Thomas prepares for tough battle in October Calypso Monarch contest appeared first on Trinidad and Tobago Newsday.