The road to the prestigious Calypso Monarch title has narrowed, after a panel of expert judges selected nine competing finalists during a packed semifinal event held Sunday evening at the National Cultural Centre on Barnards’ Hill, Castries. The defending 2025 titleholder, Dezral, will automatically retain his spot in the final round, bringing the total number of competitors vying for the crown to 10 when the grand final kicks off on July 11 at the Sab in Vigie.
Eighteen talented calypsonians took the stage for the two-song semifinal competition, turning the National Cultural Centre into a hub of electric energy. The venue was filled to capacity inside, while hundreds more gathered outside to soak in the lively festival atmosphere, viewing all performances on a large outdoor screen.
Fan enthusiasm ran particularly high for Gumtion, who delivered a standout pair of performances with his first-round track *Black Man* and second-round number *Creole Therapy*. Making his impressive local debut, current U.S. Virgin Islands Calypso Monarch John Gotti also earned widespread acclaim for his renditions of *My Proposal* and *Champion or Trumpion*. Across the competition, six female calypsonians – Nacheal, Menell, Devine, Ready, Lushanne and Mica – delivered powerful, soulful vocal performances, with three of the group advancing through to the final round.
The final lineup boasts impressive depth of experience, with five former Calypso Monarchs claiming spots: TC Brown, Educator, Menell, Herb Black and Walleigh. Rounding out the nine selected finalists are former National Carnival Queen Lushanne, Gumption, Ready, and Gotti. Ahead of the final, defending champion Dezral offered excited fans an early preview of his upcoming performance, staging a playful “mock trial” segment centered on the Joy case to showcase one of his new tracks.
The July 11 final is already building anticipation among calypso fans across the region, who are preparing to see which artist will claim one of Caribbean music’s most celebrated competitive titles.