Dominica’s reigning Calypso Monarch, Joy Stoute, is poised to represent her nation at the prestigious Queen of Queens Regional Female Calypso Competition in Montserrat on December 30th. The event, orchestrated by the Montserrat Arts Council as a highlight of the island’s 2025 Carnival celebrations, serves as a convergence point for the Caribbean’s most accomplished female calypsonians.
This cultural showcase is designed to promote artistic excellence, foster cultural dialogue, and strengthen regional bonds through the powerful medium of calypso music. Participants will be evaluated across multiple criteria including lyrical depth, musical composition, stage dynamism, and overall interpretive delivery. Each artist must perform two original compositions to demonstrate their creative range.
Stoute, performing under her stage name ‘Joy,’ will present two critically acclaimed pieces: ‘My Quest for Love’ and ‘The Ground We Walking On.’ These compositions were instrumental in securing her national title earlier this year and have subsequently resonated with audiences throughout the Caribbean region.
In prepared statements, Joy conveyed both honor and determination regarding her upcoming performance. ‘Representing Dominica on a regional stage is both an honour and a responsibility,’ she stated. ‘Calypso has always been a voice for the people, and I am proud to carry our stories, our culture, and our flag to Montserrat.’
The artist emphasized the critical importance of regional platforms for calypso’s preservation amid growing challenges to the art form’s sustainability across the Caribbean. ‘Now more than ever, we must think of calypso beyond Dominica,’ Joy remarked, highlighting concerns about the potential erosion of this cultural tradition without continued exposure and support.
Dominica maintains a strong legacy in the competition, with previous representatives including 2024 participant Shanice Langford (stage name Shanice) and 2022 first runner-up Tasha ‘Tasha P’ Peltier, the island’s first female calypso monarch. With confident preparation and institutional backing from the Dominica Calypso Association, Joy aims to deliver a historic performance that could secure Dominica’s first Queen of Queens title.