Veteran nine-time Calypso Monarch, Chalkdust (Dr Hollis Liverpool) and two-time monarch, Sugar Aloes (Michael Osouna) were among several calypsonians who failed to advance to the finals of the National Calypso Monarch to be held on February 19, as Carnival activities continue in Trinidad leading to the climax on February 21.
However, the winner of the National Diamond Jubilee Independence Calypso Monarch and this year’s Young King Calypso Monarch, Skatie (Carlos James), is 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, on Saturday.
The other calypsonians who have advanced to the finals include former monarchs Karene Asche (2011) and Chuck Gordon (2014 and 2015).
The finalists are
- Terri Lyons — Defending Monarch
- Skatie (Carlos James) — “De New Normal”
- Ta’zyah O’Connor (Duane Ta’zyah O’Connor) — “Sing Hallelujah”
- Ezekiel Yorke — “Being Human”
- Snakey (Heaven Charles) — “What Yuh Need Again Trinbago”
- Helon Francis — “Mighty”
- Karene Asche — “Oasis”
- Tiny (Kerine Williams Figaro) — “To You with Love”
- Maria Bhola-Paul — “People Man”
- Mark Eastman — “Pride”
- Chuck Gordon (Roderick Gordon) — “Maths Eh Mathsing”
- Tameika Darius — “Susheila’s Jahaji Bash”
 and two-time monarch, Sugar Aloes (Michael Osouna) were among several){kind=link}