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Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesPrincess KeKe, Prince Short Shirt Win Junior Calypso Crowns

Princess KeKe, Prince Short Shirt Win Junior Calypso Crowns

Singing about the legacy left behind by South Africa’s late leader Nelson Mandela, Na’Kaya "Princess KeKe" Esdaille lit up the Junior Calypso stage Tuesday night and took the crown in the secondary division, while Ny’Kel "Prince Short Shirt" Emanuel won over the judges in the intermediate division with a tune about life on the streets.

A Junior Calypso veteran, Esdaille’s performance this year was flawless: her voice was clear and on key, her lyrics were emotional, her costume – from headress to skirt – was traditionally African and her props, two large posters of Mandela, were just the right backdrop for the performance.

"A freedom fighter, a true champion, a liberator of a great nation," Esdaille sang as the song opened. Commentators at Tuesday’s event said Esdaille’s performance echoed many seen at this year’s Calypso Monarch Elimination Tent, both in sound and content, and many in the crowd also speculated that Esdaille might be soon be ready to make the move from the juniors to the calypso big leagues.

"For the role you have played, and the competence you displayed, every chapter of your life story, will survive in our memory," Esdaille sang during the competition. "A true warrior, you fought till the end."

First runner up in the secondary division this year was Te’Jani "Clever T" Jackson from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, who sang about the grandeur of past carnivals. Second runner up was Monae "Lil Red" Greene, whose song "From My Wheelchair" condemned everything from government corruption to crime. Greene, who appeared to have an actual broken leg and performed from her wheelchair, said she considered not competing this year but decided to hit the stage and "expose" exactly what is going on in the territory.

Emanuel, also no stranger to the Junior Calypso competition, led the pack in the intermediate division with a song called "Get Off De Corner," which spoke about the need for young men to get off the streets and become positive role models.

"God knows what they are selling, or even what they are using, get up and live," Emanuel sang. "Stop blaming the system, cause you are the real problem, get up and live."

Emanuel wrapped up by saying that life on the corner leads to "nothing but misery."

"It’s either to the jail or the cemetery, get up and live," he said.

The winner of the primary division this year was newcomer Jah’syi "Mighty Jah’syi" Narcisse, whose song "I Am Bless" highlighted the positive aspects of V.I. culture. Dressed in a tropical suit, Narcisse frequently threw up the V.I. sign during his performance and kept the crowd going as he gyrated across the stage.

"My island is a classroom to me, everywhere I go I am learning more," he sang. Narcisse sang about everything from Mountain Top to Bordeaux and also spoke about the beauty of the island’s beaches and importance of preserving marine life by keeping the environment clean.

First runner up in the primary division was Kastin-Italia "Princess Italia" Roach, whose song "I Don’t Like Guns" advocated against gun violence.

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