An Observation on Antigua’s Representation by King Young Destroyer**
Greetings to all passionate calypso enthusiasts and devoted observers,
It is with a heavy heart that I pen these words after reading the recent edition of *The Daily Observer* from Antigua and Barbuda. It deeply saddens me when due credit is not given where it is deserved, and when the truth is left in the shadows until someone brings it to light. Today, August 13th, 2024, I aim to be that light of truth, with the hope of preserving the integrity of the calypso artform and dispelling any doubts in the minds of aspiring calypsonians, who often remain the underdogs in these regional Caribbean competitions.
I am Andrew Richardson of French Saint Martin, also known as His Majesty Baker Jr. The Prince of controversy. Many within the calypso community are familiar with my expertise and lifelong dedication to this art form and I also used to represent the French side of Saint. Martin until I start to exposed them in my calypso. As the mastermind behind the Baker Jr. Quarantine Extempo Challenge an initiative that went viral and included participation from Antigua I have consistently strived to promote and elevate calypso. My experience extends to being a writer, facilitator, arranger, music conductor, and coach, and I was honored to be crowned the King of Kings at the Nevis Culturama in 2018.
Having judged calypso performances on multiple occasions, I can confidently state that Young Destroyer deserved to be crowned based on his performance. My judgment aligns with what I observed firsthand, and I believe that the judges on the panel would have reached the same conclusion had they adhered strictly to the five fundamental rules of calypso and judged according to the criteria set forth: evaluating the song, its lyrical content, and above all, the clarity and diction of the performer.
In terms of clarity an essential aspect of calypso performance, Young Destroyer led the field, with only three out of the seven competitors achieving flawless clarity. He was followed by King Silk from Montserrat and The Mighty Dow from Dutch Sint Maarten where diction and clarity is concerned. I personally know two of the judges, one being a female judge and the other, my esteemed colleague and extempo genius from Trinidad and Tobago, the renowned Brian London. When I inquired about his opinion, he did not hesitate to express his bewilderment, stating, “Were those judges crazy?” His scorecard placed Young Destroyer in second place, which further confirmed my belief that Leston Jacobs of Antigua did not receive the fair assessment he deserved.
To the people of Antigua: Your defending king performed admirably and represented your nation with distinction. His performance was well-received, and the audience clearly anticipated that he would place, if not win, based on what we all witnessed and heard. It is common knowledge that clarity in a song is paramount, as it is a critical aspect of how performances are judged, alongside lyrical content. As Brian London remarked to me, *Caribbean Unity* is an outstanding composition—a “bad, bad song” in West Indian parlance, meaning an exceptional piece of work. The disappointment lies in witnessing how some of the judges lacked the necessary expertise to evaluate a calypso performance—a role that demands a deep understanding of the genre and a high standard of vocabulary.
To put it bluntly, simply listening to calypso all your life does not qualify someone to be a judge. It is inconceivable that a song crowned as the Caribbean King of Kings among the best in Trinidad and Tobago, competing against legends like the late, great Singing Sandra, Luther, and Cro Cro, would not even place in Anguilla. This alone validates my stance and experience in this field.
As I mentioned, there were only two qualified judges I personally knew at that event—Brian London and a lady named Louise. The rest, I am unsure about. However, the fact that a song that won in Trinidad failed to place in a Leeward Island competition raises significant concerns. I strongly believe that the Leeward Islands committee must bring back international judges to preside over this show, or it risks losing credibility over time. I may face consequences for expressing my professional opinions and the truth, but as a fearless calypsonian, I have no choice but to speak out. The truth must be told, and I will continue to call things as I see them.
In closing, I extend my congratulations to King Young Destroyer on a job well done—you are the uncrowned Leeward Islands King of 2024.
Sincerely,
His Majesty Baker Jr.
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But it’s karma, in antigua too it is thought that queen Althea was ahead of young destroyer, but he sang a song that helped the current political administration poke at the opposition party and he has been commended by the judges appointed by the government granting entitlement of Calypso king for a caricature song on the upp political party.
she’s normally in Swetes by James a get she toan!!
@cross roads: well if she is in swetes taking her to an, that’s a healthy functioning female, are you a male are female who wish for such opportunity?
Trupz!
He deserves his score!
He didn’t win the crown in antigua!
I was there!🤔
Take the politics out of culture!
Althea didn’t beat nobody and her song was not original . Singing Sandra sing that already just a few words change.
I think u was using the bathroom when the king was singing . That song turned the UPP on the head all now they can’t catch themselves . Althea song is not original and the king beat the originator of that song also it’s his time now.
@123. The purpose of our competition is not to “turn anyone on their head”. Let ABLP have their own competition and there they can spend all night doing that foolishness. Our competition is to determine the best song and the best performance. If that song was any good he would have performed it in n Anguilla. We used to beat the field in that competition. Our first and second runners-up could handle that competition but more and more, we continue to corrupt everything in this country and at every turn, people like you continue to blindly support it.
I do not know who won that competition but as an earlier poster said, it is Karma for the calypsonian and rotten eggs on the faces of the judges who caused this travesty in the first place.
Those UPP Sporters are a different breed real iodiots
Greetings in the name of culture,
I Brian London would like to categorically and emphatically remove myself from any and all statements made by “His Majesty Baker Jr.” as it pertains to his personal opinions as views regarding the final placement of individuals at the recently concluded Leeward Islands Calypso Monarch and as articulated & circulated by you.
This Competition, and specifically the judging of it, was conducted with/in the highest standards of equity, fairness & ethics by all judges, as required by the organizers of this esteemed show. Individuals and their personal comments, (which are what they are, remain just that).
The members of a panel, though scoring individually, are in the final outcome, a part of a collective decision. One’s personal views as a member of the listening public, cannot be considered as someone else’s. In no way did I ascertain, articulate or state to Mr. Baker Jr. his self- perceived notion that the singer from Antigua should have won or placed higher. Stating in my personal opinion that someone was good on any given night, does not imply he/she has won.
I am here-by seeking an immediate retraction of this article as it bears me truth to statements made by me.
I thank the organizers of this esteemed competition for the opportunity of being able to serve this artform I so love and respect, and will continue to serve in whatever capacity once called upon.
Congratulations to all the winners, all well deserved.
Yours In Culture
Konris was right with you, you need to find your true identity. Why you think you can destroy the fabric of calypso with your confusion foolishness? How come you didn’t give your judging expertise when the your friend/daughter as you call her won? You are nothing short of a CONFUSION thats why they don’t want you SXM but Anguilla look like they like rejects. You can’t sing so stop fooling yourself. Won a competition by default and feel you are the only calypsoian there is.
Oh please…you aint making no sense
Baker Webster, please go in hiding. Your love for calypso don’t make you Mr. Know it all. You had never command a place in singing Calypso. You compose and sing with very little command of the English language. Stay French.
Stop leaving people use you and your name to fight their shame. For someone who claim to love Calypso what you allow yourself to be apart of and have fallen to total embarrassment with this article is shameful.
Baker Webster, you claim that the judges where not qualified and listening to calypso all your life don’t make you a qualified judge, when your friend was winning with the same pool of judges were they qualified then? Man take your licks and shut up. You and your Web-stars.
The artwork is bigger than you and your circle.
Stop wanting to be in things you are a lover of calypso, in no way are you a singer, writer, compose of any standard , any achievement to be so rude to calypso. Baker Webster go check your tone and balance, they deaf.
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