Police officer Duane O'Connor has copped the Tuco North Zone Calypso title in a hard fought contest at the SWWTU Hall, Wrightson Road in Port-of-Spain last Sunday. O'Connor represents the core of a young, strong and determined batch of calypso artistes who have been quietly announcing their presence in the arena. They have all been schooled and sharpened by the rigours and excitement of the junior calypso competitions. Now they have all graduated and continue to embrace the music which brought them to adulthood. Like so many who have gone before, this new batch has indicated that they are blessed with a sense of determination.
Perhaps they have been inspired by the extended successes of artistes like Machel Montano, Hilton "Ghetto Flex" Dalzell Jr, Patrice Roberts, Kerwyn Du Bois, and Abbi Blackman. The new decade has seen a new energy in the land of calypso. Kurt Allen seized the moment in the National Calypso Monarch of Carnival 2010. From then on the youth of our calypso nation have ensured that they stay focused in the task or representing this noble art form. Devon Seale captured the Tuco East Zone title in 2010 and repeated this triumph in 2011. Not to be outdone, in 2011 the women also made their mark with Heather Mac Intosh being crowned the NWAC Calypso Queen.
Karene Asche won the Tuco North Zone title last year, and went on to be the youngest National Calypso Monarch since Dr Slinger Francisco "The Mighty Sparrow" won in 1956, at age 21. There are many others who are knocking on the competition doors and remain committed to the art form-Ezekiel Yorke, a Tuco North Zone finalist in his first year at the seniors competition; Rondell Donawa; Roderick "Mr Chucky" Gordon; Jervae Caesar; Megan Walrond; Tamika Darius; Selvon "Mr Shak" Noel; Kizzy Ruiz; and Brian London, eight-time winner of South Calypso Monarch, who has made it to the National Calypso Monarch finals at the "Big Yard"-Dimanche Gras-seven times in eight years.
Many of these young artistes are also pursuing their academic dreams, and consider the discipline they get from calypso to be their main asset in managing every aspect of their studies.