It’s carnival season, and in Trinidad and Tobago, BP Renegades Steel Orchestra won its 12th National Panorama, on Saturday night with its tune Black Man Feeling to Party, a song that was written and sung by the late Dr. Leroy ‘Black Stalin’ Caliste.
The winner is expected to receive a one-million-dollar prize (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) while the second and third place will each receive TT$550,000 and TT$500,000, respectively.
Four of the 13 steel bands paid musical tribute to the calypso icon, who died last December at the age of 81.
Before a massive crowd at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Renegades defeated last year’s champion, Desperadoes Steel Orchestra and in the process tied with that band for the number of Panorama titles won. Renegades placed ninth.
Renegades, which topped the preliminaries and the semi-finals, received 283 points, edging out Republic Bank Exodus with 280 points for their rendition of the tune Tourist Leggo sung by Antiguan calypsonian, Sir MacLean Emanuel in 1976.
The third place went to another former Panaorma winner, Nutrien Silver Stars, playing the tune, Engine Room, by the Trinidadian singer, Olatunji. The band scored 276 points.
Shell Invaders was fourth, while Massy Trinidad All Stars edged out Hadco Phase11Pan Groove for fifth.
The Mother of All Carnival celebrations continue on Sunday night with the winner of the National Diamond Jubilee Independence Calypso Monarch and this year’s Young King Calypso Monarch, Skatie (Carlos James), being among 11 singers who will challenge the reigning monarch, Terri Lyons, at the finals to be held at the Queen’s Park Savannah in the capital with a first prize of TT$800,000 (one TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) inclusive of a vehicle.
They were selected from a field of 40 performers at the Calypso Fiesta held at the Skinner Park, in San Fernando last Saturday.
The other calypsonians who have advanced to the finals include former monarchs Karene Asche (2011) and Chuck Gordon (2014 and 2015).
CMC
