Arthur ‘Smokey’ Stephen won two Calypso titles in 1985 and 1986 with what could be considered heavy-hitting songs with immense lyrical content addressing political disturbances and social ills.
In 1986 Edson ‘Ajamu’ Mitchell made the calypso finals with two compositions –Desiree and La Diablesse that were considered lyrically light when compared to Make Me Wonder and Save The Youth by Smokey.
Smokey was dethroned by Ajamu with one of Ajamu’s compositions being Calypso Warrior. During his winning performance on Dimanche Gras night Ajamu referred to the debate about his choice of songs for the 1986 competition. During the third verse he sang:
“They say ah throw away the crown last year with the songs I chose to sing in Dimanche Gras show
But some say my lyrics just couldn’t compare with the Smokey boy political calypso”
The subtle and not so subtle digs at each other by Calypsonians on Dimanche Gras at the Queens Park became a staple of the competition and proved to be a stimulant to attract thousands to the Park during that glorious era of Grenadian calypso.
Ajamu’s other song, that gave him his first calypso crown, was We Shouldn’t Worry. The opening lines of the song went like this:
“Its not everyday the sun will come out to shine, so brother don’t worry, ah tell you don’t worry
Regardless of how high is the hill you have to climb so sister don’t worry, ah tell you don’t worry”
With Ajamu defending in 1988 the target was on his back and it was expected that the other finalists would come after him and Praying Mantis certainly did so. He responsed to Ajamu’s We Shouldn’t Worry, with a song entitled Portrait with the distinct hook line “I must worry”.
“If I cannot drive me girl to a quiet place at night
Because ah ‘fraid ah bandit go ups with ah gun and out we light
I must worry about the state of things in this country
I must worry about the crimes occurring daily
I must worry, yes I must worry
I am so sorry but I must worry”
Praying Mantis’ other 1988 rendtion was entitled I Am A Winner
And included the following lines:
“In 1986 they really let me down, refuse to play my political song
But Smokey mock the PM and he won the crown
So I tell myself that something must be wrong “
The 1986 reference is to Smokey’s Herbie.
In defense of his crown Ajamu’s 1988 offerings were the immortal My Grenada and Heat.
Singing in position number nine on Dimanche Gras night Ajamu did not back down from competition, offering in the third verse of Heat:
“ Is all kinda ole talk in me head,
They trying to see if they could get me scared.
The fellas like Mantis who playing test,
Saying they go put Ajamu to rest”
Among the finalists competing on Dimanche Gras night 1988 were:
Bubbler (deceased)
Black Wizard
The Inspector
Singing MC
Eggies
Ajamu’s two-year reign ended in 1989 with what most calypso pundits deemed an eventuality – the Inpsector winning his first Senior Calypso crown.
Inspector became Grenada’s youngest holder the senior calypso title, just eclipsing the Flying Turkey who was also nineteen when he won his first crown in1976, by a few weeks.
On the night of Sunday August 13th, 1989, the Queens Park witnessed a showdown of epic proportions, it was a night of big tunes and dynamic performances to match.
Ajamu with Unity and My Calypso
Praying Mantis with Tribute to the Martyrs and Spice Island Jam
Black Wizard with Tell Stone and IMF. It is the view of this author that IMF is one of the greatest calypso compositions of all time. A complex topic broken down into three verses and chorus that are comprehensible across all social strata and placed on a sophisticated bed of delightful yet intricate musical instrumentation.
Inspector with Wrong Way and Me Neighbor
It was Inspector who eventually prevailed, completely stopping the band during the rendition of Me Neighbor. That moved surprised the audience at Queens Park but the timeliness of the restart of the band had the Park in a frenzy and even the judges had to agree that Inspector was the best on the night.
Other Calypsonians making the finals that year included Randy Isaac (his first Dimanche Gras), Reggie Charles, Skylark, Little Pinky and Darius.
The calypso intensity would continue in 1990 as Ajamu began another winning streak that would place him among a very select few in Grenada Calypso royalty.
A Made In Grenada Publication ©
Video compliments Gentle Ben TV
