In a seismic development for Caribbean musical culture, ten-time Calypso Monarch Dennison ‘King Dice’ Joseph has declared his formal withdrawal from the 2026 competition season. The iconic performer made his startling revelation through social media channels this weekend, sending ripples through the calypso community.
The reigning champion until his dethronement in 2024, Joseph yielded his crown to current titleholder Joy ‘Joy’ Stoute during last year’s finals, where he secured first runner-up position. His departure from competition follows what appears to be growing dissatisfaction with judging protocols within the traditional art form.
Joseph pointedly questioned the fairness of his 2025 evaluation, asserting: ‘The performance was there, the song was on point, the presentation was on point.’ His rhetorical challenge to followers—’Where did I go wrong?’—preceded his enigmatic observation that ‘Calypso is Carnival, not church,’ suggesting fundamental disagreements about artistic evaluation criteria.
While withholding specific details about his grievances, the calypsonian issued apologies to his dedicated supporters while firmly closing the door on 2026 participation. He articulated a fundamental principle regarding artistic judgment: performances and compositions should be evaluated on their merits rather than the performers themselves.
The musical visionary concluded his announcement by hinting at forthcoming creative projects, indicating that his artistic journey will continue through alternative channels beyond competitive platforms. This development marks a significant moment for calypso’s evolving landscape, potentially prompting broader conversations about artistic validation in traditional musical forms.