Arthur \u2018Smokey\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
In 1986 Edson \u2018Ajamu\u2019 Mitchell made the calypso finals with two compositions \u2013Desiree\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0La Diablesse<\/em>\u00a0that were considered lyrically light when compared to\u00a0Make Me Wonder<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Save The Youth<\/em>\u00a0by Smokey.<\/p>\n Smokey was dethroned by Ajamu with one of Ajamu\u2019s compositions being\u00a0Calypso Warrior.\u00a0<\/em>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:<\/p>\n \u201cThey say ah throw away the crown last year with the songs I chose to sing in Dimanche Gras show<\/em><\/p>\n But some say my lyrics just couldn\u2019t compare with the Smokey boy political calypso\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Ajamu\u2019s other song, that gave him his first calypso crown, was\u00a0We Shouldn\u2019t Worry<\/em>. The opening lines of the song went like this:<\/p>\n \u201cIts not everyday the sun will come out to shine, so brother don\u2019t worry, ah tell you don\u2019t worry<\/em><\/p>\n Regardless of how high is the hill you have to climb so sister don\u2019t worry, ah tell you don\u2019t worry\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n 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\u2019s\u00a0We Shouldn\u2019t Worry,<\/em>\u00a0with a song entitled\u00a0Portrait<\/em>\u00a0with the distinct hook line\u00a0\u201cI must worry\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIf I cannot drive me girl to a quiet place at night<\/em><\/p>\n Because ah \u2018fraid ah bandit go ups with ah gun and out we light<\/em><\/p>\n I must worry about the state of things in this country<\/em><\/p>\n I must worry about the crimes occurring daily<\/em><\/p>\n I must worry, yes I must worry<\/em><\/p>\n I am so sorry but I must worry\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Praying Mantis\u2019 other 1988 rendtion was entitled\u00a0I Am A Winner<\/em><\/p>\n And included the following lines:<\/p>\n \u201cIn 1986 they really let me down, refuse to play my political song<\/em><\/p>\n But Smokey mock the PM and he won the crown<\/em><\/p>\n So I tell myself that something must be wrong \u201c<\/em><\/p>\n The 1986 reference is to Smokey\u2019s\u00a0Herbie.<\/em><\/p>\n In defense of his crown Ajamu\u2019s 1988 offerings were the immortal\u00a0My Grenada<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Heat<\/em>.<\/p>\n Singing in position number nine on Dimanche Gras night Ajamu did not back down from competition, offering in the third verse of\u00a0Heat:<\/em><\/p>\n \u201c Is all kinda ole talk in me head,<\/em><\/p>\n They trying to see if they could get me scared.<\/em><\/p>\n The fellas like Mantis who playing test,<\/em><\/p>\n Saying they go put Ajamu to rest\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Among the finalists competing on Dimanche Gras night 1988 were:<\/p>\n Bubbler (deceased)<\/p>\n Black Wizard<\/p>\n The Inspector<\/p>\n Singing MC<\/p>\n Eggies<\/p>\n Ajamu\u2019s two-year reign ended in 1989 with what most calypso pundits deemed an eventuality \u2013 the Inpsector winning his first Senior Calypso crown.<\/p>\n Inspector became Grenada\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n On the night of Sunday August 13th<\/sup>, 1989, the Queens Park witnessed a showdown of epic proportions, it was a night of big tunes and dynamic performances to match.<\/p>\n Ajamu with\u00a0Unity<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0My Calypso<\/em><\/p>\n Praying Mantis with\u00a0Tribute to the Martyrs<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Spice Island Jam<\/em><\/p>\n Black Wizard with\u00a0Tell Stone<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0IMF<\/em>. It is the view of this author that\u00a0IMF<\/em>\u00a0is 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.<\/p>\n Inspector with\u00a0Wrong Way<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Me Neighbor<\/em><\/p>\n It was Inspector who eventually prevailed, completely stopping the band during the rendition of\u00a0Me Neighbor<\/em>. 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.<\/p>\n Other Calypsonians making the finals that year included Randy Isaac (his first Dimanche Gras), Reggie Charles, Skylark, Little Pinky and Darius.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n A Made In Grenada Publication \u00a9<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Video compliments Gentle Ben TV<\/sub><\/p>\n <\/p>\n