In a stunning upset at the annual Dimanche Gras competition held at Kingstown’s Independence Park on Sunday, first-time contender Chanique Rogers-Bailey claimed the coveted Calypso Monarch crown, ending Reon “Maddzart” Primus’ two-year reign and dashing his hopes of securing a historic third consecutive title.
Performing her politically charged original piece “Lift Me Up”, Rogers-Bailey outperformed 11 fellow competitors, including four past titleholders, to secure the top spot. The outcome carried a full-circle twist: more than two decades ago, Primus gave Rogers-Bailey her first major opportunity as a young vocalist, a moment the new champion has long credited with launching her public performance career.
Defending champion Primus, who performed his own double-edged political commentary “Shift System” (also known as “Behave Yuhself”), failed to place among the competition’s top four finishers. Veteran contender Robert “Patches” King, who has repeatedly reached the upper ranks of the competition without ever claiming the crown, took second place. His entry “Bull Wood” delivered a sharp warning to Prime Minister Godwin Friday and his ruling Unity Labour Party administration, warning that the artist would hold them accountable if they failed to deliver for the public, even despite his past support for the party.
Former monarch Shaunelle McKenzie secured third place, overcoming an early performance setback that forced her to restart her song due to technical issues unrelated to her vocal performance. Her entry “At We Doorstep”, which touched on United States policy actions in the Caribbean, marked one of her most explicitly political works, though she largely avoided the hard-hitting social commentary common in top calypso entries this year. Another former champion, Lornette “Fya Empress” Nedd, took fourth place with “De Search”, a witty commentary on the gap between what women seek in early dating versus what they demand in long-term committed relationships.
This year’s finals highlighted the growing dominance of female calypso artists in the competition, with three of the top four spots going to women. Only three first-time male competitors advanced to the final round: Kemmy Christopher, who returned to calypso after a 20-year absence, having begun competing in the junior division at age 8 and previously participated in soca monarch competitions while based in the United States; Utamo “Bongo Prime” Rose, a former Ragga Soca Monarch who made his calypso competition debut this year; and Kenley “Lyrical Melody” Baptiste, a first-time competitor to any national calypso event who advanced to the finals with his entry “I Am A Vincy”.
The remaining finalists included two more former monarchs: Kenneth “Vibrating Scakes” Alleyne with “Havana”, and Grantley “Ipa” Constance with “My Party Lose”. First-time contenders Shena Collis (performing “New Chef in the Kitchen”) and Cecile “Lil Bit” King (performing “Liberation Year”) also competed for the top honor.
Following her victory, Rogers-Bailey paid tribute to her production team, which includes her husband, musician and arranger Adrian Bailey, but dedicated her historic win to her late mother, who lost her battle with cancer one year prior. “When I entered this competition, I made one promise that if I won this title, I would dedicate it to my mom, my biggest supporter, who lost her battle with cancer last year. Today, with a full heart, I proudly keep that promise,” she wrote in a public Facebook post.
She shared that hours before taking the stage, her sister sent a message that calmed her pre-performance nerves and reinforced her purpose. The note read, in part: “When you think of mommy today and I know you are, think about how excited she is to see you do this. Think about how proud, affirming and completely satisfied she is with this huge accomplishment. Let those thoughts EMPOWER you because if she taught us anything, it was how to be strong.” Rogers-Bailey closed her tribute with an emotional declaration: “MAMA, THIS CROWN IS FOR YOU!” She also extended gratitude to all fans and supporters who stood with her during her first run for the crown.
In a gesture of good sportsmanship, dethroned champion Primus publicly celebrated Rogers-Bailey’s victory. Recalling their on-stage moment after the crowning, he shared that the emotional new champion told him, “Thank you for giving me my start.” Primus recounted that Rogers-Bailey had joked early in the competition that she was coming for his crown during a visit to his Prospect business, and that he had seen her interview stating she competed in honor of her mother, who had also been a friend of his.
Primus pushed back gently on the idea that he launched her career, noting that Rogers-Bailey was already an established singer before he invited her to join his choir for a national Christmas caroling competition in 2000. He and a friend were recruiting young vocalists for their quirky team “The Quarelling Carolers”, and tapped Rogers-Bailey to lead their performance of the traditional carol “Once Upon a Christmas”. The 100+ strong choir took second place in the competition, which drew massive crowds in that era. “But while she may consider that her start… I still think her start was long before I met her,” Primus said. He closed his post with a playful challenge: “Congrats again chanique. We go fight up next year. If ah in the mood,” followed by a laughing emoji.