Veteran Calypsonian Alvin Dennie has cause much uproar in the calypso industry with his 2023 production “Raper Man”.
On Thursday night Dennie who performs under the pseudonym Zion-I shocked patrons of the On-Tour Calypso tent when he strayed from his pre-rehearsed song to perform the song and name persons.
Speaking on BOOM FM on Friday, tent leader Grantley “I-Pa” Constance disclosed that Dennie would no longer be allowed to perform with the tent following his risque performance.
He explained that leading up the tent show on Thursday, Dennie rehearsed last and performed a completely different rendition of the song he performed on the night.
“He pledged that he would sing the song raper man oye, oye oye …,” the veteran calypsonian explained.
However, Constance said the decision to remove him from the tent was not made by him alone.
“I unilaterally can’t make the decision because we have an executive in place…and that song, that is questionable we can’t implicate the structure of the tent.”
Constance even disclosed that Dennie had indicated he consulted a lawyer who directed him to perform the alternative version of the song.
He said on the night, however, he should have instructed the band to cut the music if Dennie performed the controversial version of the song.
During the live broadcast of the show, some musicians stopped playing while others continued to play and provide backing vocals.
“From here going forward that would not repeat itself,” Constance stated firmly.
He noted that while there is no written rule about libel and defamation in the tent, there are unwritten rules in the industry.
The song has caused a divide on social media with some persons supporting Zion-I claiming he has freedom of speech and others citing the legalities that could potentially surround the song.
