COMMENTARY
by Calypsonian Scholar
There are those out there who seem hell bent on writing and publishing disparaging remarks about me with the aim of discrediting me and pouring cold water in the face of the little that I have achieved thus far.
I am not obligated to defend myself against these wild and, sometimes, fairy tale accusations, but the record needs to be straightened sometimes, not because these accusations will go away, but simply for the sake of setting the record straight. I do not know where this fascination with me and my ability to write calypsos have come from, but the kaiso atmosphere seems to be pregnant with it these days.
I now realize that persons who are knowledgeable in the ways of the artform even hold the view that I cannot write. Let me try as briefly as possible to address this non issue before going on to more important things concerning calypso, and my life as a calypsonian in this country.
I do possess the ability to write calypso, in the same way that my father possessed that ability, and the same way that my daughter and son are now showing the same uncanny knack for piecing words together and adding melodies to them.
In fact, I started writing calypsos many years before I began singing, and as far back as 1986, wrote a song for a junior contestant in the calypso competition. People have not only questioned my ability to write, but have insinuated for years that Neil Ferguson is my writer and that I have not been giving him credit for it. This has not just started, but has simply grown in intensity this year. Why, I do not know. Maybe its because I did not participate this year, and so persons were not in a position to level accusations such as ŒGrenada judges tief for him again', so they had to manufacture something to say about me. Let me state a few facts here.
Thus far in my career, I have sung seventy-two songs. Neil has co-written "Disability," "Set them free," and "Love life," with me. "Hero," "Slaves," and "Stone" were ideas given to me by Neil, and I wrote those songs. As a matter of fact, many persons have furnished me with ideas that I have written, including Ronnie ŒYaya" Henry, and Joseph Andall.
Additionally, Neil has helped me strengthen a few songs that were already written and performed, to make them more Dimanche Gras compliant. Let me also say that for many years now, Neil, together with Silvan Chan, have planned all my Dimanche Gras presentations thus allowing me the freedom to rehearse my lines and prepare myself mentally for the big nights. This contribution, to me, is more important than anything in the world, and this is why himself and Chan are always among the first people that I thank whenever Œthe judges tief for me,' and I win a crown. I have often reciprocated and have on several occasions, helped Neil to strengthen his songs and he has written my ideas.
This is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth! So whatever persons wish to say, it's their business. If they want to say that I cannot write a song, that's their business. If they want to say that the day Neil Ferguson stops writing for me my career is over, that's their business. If they want to call me boot leg writer, as one young fellow who has heard the rumors and believes them whole heartedly, calls me, that too is their business. If they want to say that Neil has written many winning selections for me, that's their business also.
All these issues that they have raised about who is copying from who, and about Biko sounding like me is neither here nor there. I do not know what I sound like, but if Biko sounds like me it should not be surprising. I started Biko off in this thing and even wrote his first couple of songs.
Additionally, I have worked extensively with him on his rendition and stage craft. Let me say that Neil and I go way back and we will go way forward.
To my daughter and son, he is Uncle Neil, and to Zadi, his daughter, I am Uncle Scholar. Whatever you insinuate, wherever these preposterous accusations and assumptions are coming from, this would not change. And if God bless me and the judges Œtief for me' at any time in the future, his name will still be called. ŒSay what all you want.' Let me embrace this opportunity to congratulate Neil and Biko on a remarkable victory at Dimanche Gras this year. Biko, in my view, was irresistible and could have easily placed first, second and third.
Persons have said that I was lucky that I opted out this year because Biko would have cooked my goose. Some have also said that I was afraid and that is why I did not compete. Indeed, Biko could have beaten anyone that night, but I certainly did not stay out because I was afraid.
Remember, I have been singing for fifteen years and have only won five times. It means that I have lost more times than I have won and have even placed as low as two before the last. I am accustomed to losing and I do not believe, like some calypsonians do, that the crown has my name written on it and that once I sing I have to win. My decision to stay out had nothing to do with the competition. Study commitments plus the shabby treatment that has been metted out to calypsonians over the years are what prompted my decision to take a rest.
What is the big thing about becoming the calypso king anyway? When Wizard refused to take the crown on that famous morning in 2003, many persons were disappointed. Ajamu even wrote a song about it. I must say that at that time I was a bit disappointed myself, but now I understand fully why Wizard was prompted to do what he did.
The Calypso Monarch is treated shabbily year in and year out. Last year, the master of ceremony gave me a crown in my hand; remember?
At a time when I had already won four monarch titles, calypsonians that were far less decorated, were given diplomatic status, and I was purposefully left out; remember? Now I feel obliged to inform you of the latest insult that was dished out to the Calypso Monarch, and this in a way was the final straw that broke the camel's back, and prompted me to remove myself from the calypso competition until things get better.
In my tenure as Calypso Monarch, I am usually invited to sing in many shows and concerts overseas, but because of work commitments I have consistently turned down most of these offers. The tent in which Ajamu sings in TNT every season, has been trying to contract me since after Carifesta 2006, and I have regrettably turned them down each time. However, there is a Mother's Day Concert in New York that I have been participating in over the years, and that I felt obliged to take part in again this year.
I wrote for the necessary time off and left, the Friday before Whit Monday.
Upon my return, I was informed by the authorities that I would not be paid for the week that I was away. Although I wrote to challenge the decision, my challenge was not upheld and subsequently, the monies were removed from my salary. What is ironic about this whole thing is that after school went on holidays in June, I spent the first week of holidays in the school, working harder than I have worked for the entire school year, getting children ready for graduation. This is the kind of hardship and disrespect that I faced as Calypso Monarch in Grenada.
I hope that this new administration will get its acts together and put the necessary structures in place to make the reign of King Biko much more enjoyable and meaningful than what I have had these past years under an NNP regime, which hated me as poison.
To everyone who has supported me all these years, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. I know that you were disappointed this year, but I also know that you understood. And even to those of you who have doggedly supported NNP and saw me as blight in your way, I say thank you for making me a stronger individual.
Finally, thank you very much Dr. Mitchell and your NNP. For thirteen years you have provided me with nice juicy topics, which made my job as easy as ABC. I am glad that you are gone but I am also a bit sad. I hope that the new administration will make my job much more difficult, because the way that you and your disciples treated me these past years, I honestly do not want to do anything that will help you in your role as the people's opposition.
To Grenadians in general, you can rest assured that I will be back, lose or win, whether you continue to say that I cannot write or not; once God spares my life.
