“De Professor” is 2013 Senior Calypso King!

One week after Linden copped the Junior Calypso title, another Lindener, this time “De Professor” was last Friday evening crowned Senior Calypso King when the finals were held at the Demerara Park (Thirst Park) before a massive crowd.
He proved to the judges that he is the better performer, dethroning Roger Hinds called “Young Bill Rogers” who sang “This Country Was Never Like This”.

Lester Ricardo Charles better known as “De Professor” with his piece “God Nah Sleep” swept the audience off their feet with his saucy performance that definitely did justice to calypso music. During his performance, an excited group of Lindeners stormed the front of the stage and gyrated to the vibes.
His rendition sent a strong message that a united people can control the politicians and force them to be accountable. He also urged all to shun segregation between Indians and Africans.
Minutes after the Lindener was crowned, he thanked God, his family (wife and six children), boss, relatives and fans for their support during the competition.   While he was optimistic about winning the title, he recalled that in the semifinals, some entries that he thought were challenging were knocked out of the competition.
He said on the night of the finals, he stuck to his A-game and delivered to the pleasure of the audience, and more so, winning the hearts of the judges. He thought on the night of the competition; the former calypso king, Young Bill Rogers would have stepped up his game.
Coming in second was the dethroned king, Roger Hinds, whose performance touched on racism.
Karen Bennett called “Queen Makeba” with “Is Man” and Dawn Edwards called “Lady D” with her piece, “Wrong Place Wrong Time” tied for the third spot. In Queen Makeba’s performance, she expressed her concern that “Man Nah Leave He Man” even though he sees a perfect woman.
“When you walk down the road and another man looking at you man,” is time for concern, she urged her fellow ladies. While she performed to the satisfaction of the crowd, she lacked stage performance, but the words of the song were clear.
On the other hand, her partner, Lady D, who also gained third in the 2013 competition came strong with “Wrong Place Wrong Time”, dedicating the greater part of her song to Damien Belgrave, who was shot at the White Castle Fish Shop by police as they were pursuing a group of men.
This year’s finals started with a performance by the newly crowned Junior Calypso Monarch with her lyrics “Where Are Your Manners”. Decked out in a school uniform costume, the young Lindener showcased her excellent vocals to an attentive audience.
Abigail James, another young calypsonian, spiced up the packed Thirst Park Ground with her tune “If They Want To Sing Calypso, They Have To Give Something More”. The daughter of the late “Mighty Intruder” thrilled the audience with her curvy moves and soothing voice.

Some of the other performances were excellently executed and had the crowd ‘getting on bad.’ During the calypso finals, Banks DIH, one of the sponsors launched its mash costume. Displaying the Olympia Small-Sonaram designs, were a few models that were literally begged to get into the soca mood by the MC of the evening, Malcolm Pereira.
The beautiful costumes which comprised of red and gold attracted the members of the audience. Come February 23, the company will come with a strong 250 revellers.
The patrons were also entertained by Trinidadian calypso icon, Winston Henry, who had most of the patrons shaking to the soca-like vibes. At the break of the new day, the audience sang “Happy Birthday” to the icon, who was celebrating his 66th birth anniversary.
The competitors were judged based on lyrics, topic, melody, originality, diction, presentation and intonation. The judges were Sean Bhola, Cecil Semple, Sandra Cooper, Margaret Lawrence, Andrea Mentore, Basil Bradshaw and Winston Henry, with Keith Campbell as chief judge.