An Observation on Antigua’s Representation by King Young Destroyer**
Greetings to all passionate calypso enthusiasts and devoted observers,
It is with a heavy heart that I pen these words after reading the recent edition of *The Daily Observer* from Antigua and Barbuda. It deeply saddens me when due credit is not given where it is deserved, and when the truth is left in the shadows until someone brings it to light. Today, August 13th, 2024, I aim to be that light of truth, with the hope of preserving the integrity of the calypso artform and dispelling any doubts in the minds of aspiring calypsonians, who often remain the underdogs in these regional Caribbean competitions.
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I am Andrew Richardson of French Saint Martin, also known as His Majesty Baker Jr. The Prince of controversy. Many within the calypso community are familiar with my expertise and lifelong dedication to this art form and I also used to represent the French side of Saint. Martin until I start to exposed them in my calypso. As the mastermind behind the Baker Jr. Quarantine Extempo Challenge an initiative that went viral and included participation from Antigua I have consistently strived to promote and elevate calypso. My experience extends to being a writer, facilitator, arranger, music conductor, and coach, and I was honored to be crowned the King of Kings at the Nevis Culturama in 2018.
Having judged calypso performances on multiple occasions, I can confidently state that Young Destroyer deserved to be crowned based on his performance. My judgment aligns with what I observed firsthand, and I believe that the judges on the panel would have reached the same conclusion had they adhered strictly to the five fundamental rules of calypso and judged according to the criteria set forth: evaluating the song, its lyrical content, and above all, the clarity and diction of the performer.
In terms of clarity an essential aspect of calypso performance, Young Destroyer led the field, with only three out of the seven competitors achieving flawless clarity. He was followed by King Silk from Montserrat and The Mighty Dow from Dutch Sint Maarten where diction and clarity is concerned. I personally know two of the judges, one being a female judge and the other, my esteemed colleague and extempo genius from Trinidad and Tobago, the renowned Brian London. When I inquired about his opinion, he did not hesitate to express his bewilderment, stating, “Were those judges crazy?” His scorecard placed Young Destroyer in second place, which further confirmed my belief that Leston Jacobs of Antigua did not receive the fair assessment he deserved.
To the people of Antigua: Your defending king performed admirably and represented your nation with distinction. His performance was well-received, and the audience clearly anticipated that he would place, if not win, based on what we all witnessed and heard. It is common knowledge that clarity in a song is paramount, as it is a critical aspect of how performances are judged, alongside lyrical content. As Brian London remarked to me, *Caribbean Unity* is an outstanding composition—a “bad, bad song” in West Indian parlance, meaning an exceptional piece of work. The disappointment lies in witnessing how some of the judges lacked the necessary expertise to evaluate a calypso performance—a role that demands a deep understanding of the genre and a high standard of vocabulary.
To put it bluntly, simply listening to calypso all your life does not qualify someone to be a judge. It is inconceivable that a song crowned as the Caribbean King of Kings among the best in Trinidad and Tobago, competing against legends like the late, great Singing Sandra, Luther, and Cro Cro, would not even place in Anguilla. This alone validates my stance and experience in this field.
As I mentioned, there were only two qualified judges I personally knew at that event—Brian London and a lady named Louise. The rest, I am unsure about. However, the fact that a song that won in Trinidad failed to place in a Leeward Island competition raises significant concerns. I strongly believe that the Leeward Islands committee must bring back international judges to preside over this show, or it risks losing credibility over time. I may face consequences for expressing my professional opinions and the truth, but as a fearless calypsonian, I have no choice but to speak out. The truth must be told, and I will continue to call things as I see them.
In closing, I extend my congratulations to King Young Destroyer on a job well done—you are the uncrowned Leeward Islands King of 2024.
Sincerely,
His Majesty Baker Jr.
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