The 2026 Antigua Carnival Junior Calypso Competition, hosted at the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, crowned two standout young champions this week, drawing crowds of calypso fans and highlighting the Caribbean nation’s rich cultural heritage for a new generation.
Split into two competitive age divisions to give young performers of all life stages a platform to shine, the competition saw 12-year-old and under talent Sudden Else take home the 5-12 age group title with their upbeat, heartfelt original performance *Friends and Family*. Following close behind in this division, De Archer claimed first runner-up with *Standing on Our Own*, while Jamario rounded out the top three as second runner-up with *He Car in He Hand*.
Beyond the main placement titles, the event’s organizers rolled out a full slate of special awards to honor a range of achievements across the young cohort. Sudden Else added two more honors to their haul: Best New Artist for their winning track and the coveted Most Improved award. Princess Faith took home the award for Best Performer for her act *Keep De Faith*, Jamario won the fan-favorite People’s Choice Award, Ruez was recognized as Most Cooperative for his commitment to event teamwork, Calypso Ace earned the nod for Most Punctual, and De Royal Element took home the Leadership Award for outstanding initiative.
In the older 13-18 age division, Calypso Lilly emerged victorious, claiming the division title with their thoughtful, engaging performance *In This Small World*. Ruez secured first runner-up in this bracket with *TV in Your Hand*, and Kaiso Kall placed second runner-up with the socially conscious act *The Poor Man Struggle*.
Kaiso Kall also earned two major special awards for his performance, walking away with both Best New Artist and Best Performer in the 13-18 division. Additional honors in this bracket went to Little Cute, who was named Most Punctual; Ruez, who claimed the Leadership Award; and Jah Nelly, who received the Most Improved title.
As a core cultural event tied to Antigua Carnival 2026, the junior competition does more than crown winners: it nurtures emerging calypso talent, preserves the iconic Caribbean musical tradition, and gives young creators space to share their perspectives through the genre’s signature mix of storytelling, social commentary and rhythm. By separating competitors by age and offering awards that recognize growth, teamwork and leadership as well as performance, organizers create an inclusive space that encourages participation and skill development for all young calypso enthusiasts.