Maxwell ‘Tajoe’ Francis worked his way from being the last competitor on stage, to become the 2022 Calypso Monarch, and in the process dethroned reigning monarch, Shaunelle Mc Kenzie.
In fact, Shaunelle had to settle for a third place from the judges for her rendition of a song entitled, ‘Lessons Learnt’. She evoked rousing applause from the patrons when she invited opposing politicians Fitzgerald Bramble and Carlos James to join her on stage, and shake hands in a show of ‘unity’.
Taking second position, and so record his highest place to date in the competition, was Kingsley ‘Hero’ Roberts. He was one of the night’s favourites with his song ‘They don’t know St. Vincent’, which called upon SVG to wake up and recognize those who have performed yeoman service to their country, inclusive of the likes of test cricketer Michael Findlay who appeared in person on stage to support Hero’s rendition.
Two-times calypso monarch Glenroy ‘Sulle’ Caesar was adjudged 4th with his song ‘Calypso Alphabet’ in which he apportioned appropriate names of outstanding persons to each letter of the alphabet.
The much anticipated and controversial Alvin ‘Zion-I’ Dennie kicked things off with his 2022 presentation ‘Hypocrites’, and set the standard for what was to come for the remainder of the competition. He stood stoically on stage all by himself, without the aids of props and theatrics, and delivered at times adjusted lyrics much to the sustained applause from his audience.
Some of the other finalists on the night were Glenroy ‘Homie’ Delpesche with ‘Up, up, up’; Fitzroy ‘Brother Ebony’ Joseph with ‘No Horn’; former Calypso Monarch Grantley ‘Ipa’ Constance with ‘Ah can’t breathe’.
The 2018 Junior Calypso Monarch, Damian ‘Boney Man’ Da Souza, in his first outing in the ‘big yard’, performed commendably with his song ‘Where the PRIME Money Gone?’.
Other notable performances came from Sheena Collis ‘Ain’t Easier’; Gosnel ‘GC’ Cupid who paid tribute to Calypso/Soca icon Alston ‘Becket’ Cyrus with the song, ‘Becket hold on’.
The other competitor was another pre-show favourite and former monarch Elvis ‘Abijah’ Abbey with ‘Who put dem so done dead’.
Source :The Vincentian