The ninth annual Legacy showcase, a cornerstone of Saint Lucia’s Independence celebrations, once again demonstrated the timeless appeal of vintage calypso and soca music. Held at the purpose-built Pavilion in Rodney Bay, the event featured an extraordinary lineup of both emerging local talents and legendary regional performers, creating an electrifying atmosphere that captivated audiences of all generations.
This year’s edition gained special distinction with the appearance of Destra, widely celebrated as the undisputed queen of bacchanal, who headlined as the special guest. The event attracted enthusiastic fans who arrived early to secure seating, while a vibrant younger contingent infused fresh energy into what has rapidly become the most anticipated cultural event of the year. The audience included prominent national figures such as Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and Education Minister Kenson Casimir.
The evening commenced with newcomer Anwar delivering a contemporary interpretation of TC Brown’s classic ‘Where Are They Now,’ establishing an innovative tone for subsequent performances. Rising artists including De Vine (‘Not Built for Backup’), J’urgen (‘Boom Boom Bye Bye’), and Ti Carro (‘Where Do We Go From Here’) showcased their distinctive interpretations of the traditional art forms.
Legacy maintained its reputation for unexpected moments with a surprise appearance by former Culture Minister Damian Greaves, who once performed under the stage name Short Pants. His rendition of the classic ‘Haiti’ resonated deeply with attendees, creating one of the evening’s most memorable interludes.
The highly anticipated return of Black I and Yati with ‘Rambo Diplomacy’ received overwhelming applause, their prolonged absence from the stage rendering the performance particularly poignant. Educator followed with dynamic uptempo numbers including ‘Manifesto’ and ‘Calypso Tyson,’ demonstrating his remarkable versatility in both Kweyol and English while proving calypso’s capacity for both lyrical depth and dance-driven rhythm.
By the time Ashanti, acclaimed as ‘the people’s calypso king,’ took the stage, the venue had reached standing-room-only capacity. His powerful set culminated with the profoundly moving ‘Sufferers Song’ (better known as ‘Malayway’), widely considered among the finest calypso compositions ever created.
Additional highlights included a rare performance by X-Man delivering ‘De Speaker’ and Mantius, former OECS Soca Monarch, reviving road-march nostalgia with classics like ‘Fire Burn Dem,’ ‘She She,’ and ‘Making Love.’ Following a brief intermission, Ricardo presented a medley of iconic Caribbean soca hits that seamlessly transitioned into performances by Arthur and Teddyson John, who maintained the event’s relentless party momentum.
The energy reached its zenith when MC Ezi Hall introduced Destra. Dressed in sheer black athletic wear, the soca superstar unleashed an explosive set featuring crowd favorites including ‘Lucy,’ ‘Bonnie & Clyde,’ ‘Tremble It,’ and ‘It’s Carnival.’ Her performance evoked nostalgic memories of traditional carnival attire before the era of smartphones and disposable cups. Audiences were additionally treated to her new track ‘Happy People (Sourness),’ which was enthusiastically received.
The celebration concluded with former Soca Monarch Alpha delivering a compact but immensely crowd-pleasing set that included ‘Cyar Wait,’ ‘Freedom,’ and ‘In De Ark,’ leaving audiences on their feet demanding encore performances even as the final curtain descended.
Now firmly established as an integral component of Saint Lucia’s entertainment calendar, Legacy has transcended its Independence celebration origins to become a year-round cultural phenomenon that continues to honor the enduring power and relevance of Caribbean musical heritage.