Culture

Four former monarchs to pay tribute to Crop Over 50

When the 18 finalists of the Courtesy Garage Pic-O-De-Crop Finalpb gather to do battle on tomorrow night, Friday August 2nd, it will be an historic occasion for more reasons than one.

For the first time, four former monarchs — each of whom at pivotal times left a lasting mark on the island’s premier calypso competition — will take the stage to celebrate Crop Over’s 50^th anniversary.

A wave of nostalgia is anticipated to sweep over the National Botanical Gardens as the festival’s first king Keithroy Destroyer Christian, calypso’s maestro Most Honourable Anthony Gabby Carter, the most decorated Pic-O-De-Crop monarch Most Honourable Stedson Red Plastic Bag Wiltshire and the celebrated General Edwin Yearwood take the audience on a musical journey through their storied history in the competition.

Destroyer will kick off the show, a role he is quite familiar with, having claimed the crown back in 1975 during the inaugural Crop Over Calypso competition.

Before the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) was established in 1983 to organise Crop Over, in 1974 the Barbados Board of Tourism (BBT), led by Julian Marryshaw, set up a Crop Over Committee to revive the festival to attract more tourists. However, as Destroyer recalled, calypso competitions were initially not viewed as a driving force of the festival. Hence none were introduced at the state level.

That was until 1975, when he and fellow calypsonian Edrick Mighty Dragon Jordan approached Marryshaw with the idea of a state-run calypso competition. An idea which was met with support. That year, competing before a modest crowd of about 40 at Marine House in Hastings, Christ Church, Destroyer walked away with a challenge trophy for the self-penned Crop Over Bacchanal/Crop Done) and Come Together.

The following year, having not received his promised winnings of $300 and a trip to Trinidad to perform in a tent for payment, he refused to defend his crown and Gynner won the show.

There was no competition in 1977 but in 1978 it returned when the Ministry of Education and Culture, under the auspices of Minister of Education, Louis Tull, took over and it was moved to the National Stadium. Destroyer returned and for a second time he was victorious, with the kaisos I Man Bitter and Message to The People, for which he was paid $310.

Before the national calypso competition was established, the 1960s and 70s were defined by several privately-run contests that played a crucial role in the artistic evolution and cultural significance of the genre. In this lively scene, few names carried the weight of the Mighty Gabby, whose influence and contributions would go on to shape the calypso landscape for generations.

As a young calypsonian, Gabby entered the scene in the early 1960s and brought a perspective that set him apart. He said his early performances were characterised by a unique blend of wit and humour, sharp social commentary and engaging melodies which earned him the Jaycees title in ’68 and the Al Gilkes and Mark Williams Showdown held at the Globe Cinema in ’69. He would travel overseas from 1971 to ’76, but upon his return that year, it would prove triumphant at the Calypso Enterprises’ organised Independence competition.

Voted folk singer of the Year in ’77, ’78 and ’79, it was during this period that Gabby started to gain recognition for his ability to address social and political issues, and his willingness to push the boundaries of the genre – a hallmark of his career. He subsequently cemented his status, with five national titles in ’85, ’97, ’99, 2000 and ’10.

By the summer of 1982, the Crop Over competition, now renamed the Pic-O-De-Crop, saw the emergence of a game-changer out of Bayfield, St. Philip. Barely out of his teens, RPB brought a confidence on the heel of winning three consecutive calypso contests at his local St Philip competition (’79,’80 and ’81), an unparalleled perspective and infectious energy to the stage. His entry into the national competition was not just a noteworthy event; it was a sign of the evolving nature of calypso, as the next generation of artistes began to make their mark.

His performance of Sugar Made Us Free and Mr. Harding Can’t Burn was distinguished by a unique blend of youthful exuberance and raw talent. He noted it was his goal to balance the traditional elements of calypso with his own innovative style, to create a performance that was both nostalgic and forward-thinking.

The crowd of thousands that packed the National Stadium and tried to scale the walls was captivated, and as he created history as the youngest person to win the crown at 21 years, it was a clear indication that the future of calypso was in capable hands. So capable in fact, that RPB went on to dominant, winning the monarchy a record 10 times in ’82, ’84, ’89, ’96, ’98, 2002, ’03, ’07, ’09 and ’12.

Yearwood’s debut in 1995, sparked a significant shift in the perception and interest of younger audiences in calypso with his introduction of a fresh sound that was on one hand innovative and captivating, yet controversial. It was characterised by a blend of modern influences but faced much criticism for not fitting the traditional “kaiso” mold.

Although new to the competition as a finalist, Yearwood was no stranger to the event, having served as a backing vocalist for several top calypsonians, particularly those from the Battleground Calypso Tent like late Romeo, Gabby and Grynner.

For him, the most memorable moments in competition came when sitting backstage and hearing almost every contestant perform a song about him. This experience not only validated his efforts but fueled his motivation, ultimately leading him to created history that year as the first and only triple crown monarch in a single year as he walked away with the Pic-O-De-Crop, Party Monarch and Tune of the Crop for A Voice In My Head, and Obadele.

Yearwood would go on to make his mark as the General of soca but there is no denying that his musical influence continues to be felt in contemporary calypsos as artistes experiment with fusions, ensuring that calypso remains a vibrant and evolving art form. (PR)

Culture

Clarification Of Investment Target For We Gatherin’ 2025

As the We Gatherin’ initiative continues in full stride, we take this time to thank those members of corporate Barbados who have committed to helping us reach our target of $5,000,000 (five million) in support and investment, whether cash or in kind.

So far, we have secured $500,000 from businesses across the island, and we continue to encourage other private sector entities to contribute to this historical initiative, that not only brings our society closer together but that will provide much needed assistance to programs that will benefit our youth, helping to steer us through troubled times to a better, more peaceful and prosperous Barbados for all.

After the recently concluded church service at St. Anne’s Church in St. Joseph, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight was keen to speak on the progress towards reaching this target.

“During my address, I inadvertently mentioned a figure of $5 million in private sector donations. That number reflects our aspirational goal, not the current reality. To clarify, we have presently secured $500,000 in contributions toward this initiative. We remain deeply grateful for the support received thus far and continue to encourage additional private sector partners to join us in this important national effort.”

We Gatherin’ 2025 continues with events and activities in St. Joseph for the month of April and moving on to St. John in May. (PR/GIS)

Culture

We Gatherin’ Activities Launched In Boston Over The Weekend

The spirit of Barbados was alive last Saturday, March 22, as the Consulate General of Barbados in New York, in partnership with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), officially launched the ‘We Gatherin’ 2025 series in Boston.

According to Consul General Lorenzo Harewood, the event, held at the Sorrel and Lime place, was a spectacular showcase of Barbadian culture, bringing together scores of Barbadians and friends of Barbados for an unforgettable experience.

“Attendees were immersed in the rich sights, sounds, and flavours of the island, enjoying pulsating local music, mouthwatering Bajan cuisine, and a vibrant marketplace filled with stalls owned by Barbadian entrepreneurs,” he said.

He noted that from handcrafted souvenirs to locally made products, the event provided a platform for businesses to connect with the diaspora and promote authentic Barbadian goods.

The Consul General said that the energy in the room was electric as Barbadians, young and old, reunited with friends, made new connections, and celebrated their shared heritage.

A major highlight of the evening was the exciting giveaways, including exclusive discounted travel packages and the grand prize won by Carson Straughn – a trip for two to Barbados. The winners were thrilled at the chance to visit their homeland and immerse themselves in all that the island has to offer.

Mr. Harewood stated that the successful launch marked the beginning of what promises to be an exhilarating ‘We Gatherin’ 2025’ series.

“With overwhelming support and enthusiasm from attendees, the celebrations are set to continue in Connecticut, and Philadelphia, and culminate in a grand finale in New York throughout April and May. Many attendees have pledged to follow the journey, eager to experience more of the warmth, culture, and togetherness that define the Barbadian spirit,” he remarked.

The Consul General added: “The partnership between the Consulate and BTMI underscores a shared commitment to strengthening connections between Barbados and its diaspora while promoting the island as a premier destination for both leisure and business.

“As the excitement builds, Barbadians across generations are encouraged to join the movement, return home, and take part in the national festivals and activities happening throughout 2025.”

During the event, a brief intermission provided an opportunity to recognise outstanding professional achievements. Mr. Harewood took to the stage to present the prestigious Professional Achievement Award to Professor Cardinal Warde, a distinguished faculty member at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Professor Warde is widely regarded as a leading expert in optical information processing and display technologies. His extensive contributions to the field include over 150 technical papers, co-editorship of a book, and co-authorship of three book chapters on optical materials and devices.

Beyond academia, his innovative work is reflected in 12 patents related to spatial light modulators, displays, and optical information processing systems, solidifying his influence in advancing cutting-edge optical technologies. (PR/GIS)

Culture

Season Of Emancipation Must Grow Beyond “A Set Date Of Activities”

Minister with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight, is suggesting that the Season of Emancipation (SOE) moves beyond the commemoration of a “set of dates of activities”.

In fact, she believes that the time has come for the successes of the celebrations to be consolidated to create a larger footprint that resonates with Barbadians on a larger scale.

Senator Munro-Knight expressed this view during the 2025 Season of Emancipation media launch at the Rock Hall Freedom Village, St. Thomas.

The Minister told the gathering that the Ministry engaged in “a period of reflection” after the hosting of each Season of Emancipation activities through the lens of the Ministry’s internal critique, public opinion where applicable, and that of its stakeholders.

“And that reflection has said a couple of things to us, one, that the Season of Emancipation needs to move beyond a commemoration of a set of dates of activities to grounding that understanding of that intersection again with the past, now and future within communities and within the wider Barbadian psyche…. We need to move beyond the chorus of those of us who understand, those of us who are enthused, those of us who have already embraced the notion of emancipation and that journey and what it means…. Like I said before, embracing the wider Barbadian [public] and bringing them into the discourse and to the full understanding,” Senator Munro-Knight proffered.

She continued: “Our reflection on the Season of Emancipation also says to us that we need to create scale, that while we have done a number of things that have been good on their own, a number of activities that have been good on their own, that we need to make sure that we can now consolidate on those efforts that have been successful by creating a larger footprint, and then again, as I said, engaging more Barbadians.”

The Minister maintained that this year’s activities would see a “more concentrated effort and not just public relations” but educational awareness that involved a mix of competitions, docudramas, and other activities to lift the Season of Emancipation to a higher level of engagement.

A highlight of this year’s activities Dr. Munro-Knight said will be a partnership with Duke University in the United States of America on a project to immerse the bust of King Cuffie at sea in Speightstown, St. Peter. The bust will be removed one year later from the date, as an act of reconnecting with the past.

Meanwhile, Programme Advisor for Reparations and Economic Enfranchisement in the Prime Minister’s Office, Rodney Grant, gave an overview of the activities for the season, which runs from April 14 to August 27.

Mr. Grant said the public must never take the sacrifices of our ancestors for granted as we reflect on our journey to emancipation.

“Our ancestors never had free will. They could not choose when they wanted to eat, when they wanted to work, when they wanted to get up, when they wanted to go sleep, and we now, today, take this free will for granted. They died, suffered; they were burnt to death because they fought for us today to have freedom to do the things that we see are necessary and the things that we enjoy…. We should not take freedom for granted.”

Mr. Grant noted that emancipation and freedom were processes that were not yet over and it was “incumbent on all of us to continue to fight for emancipation”. (PR/GIS)