Inmates at the Carrera Prison got the opportunity to jump up early on Thursday as the prison held its 32nd Annual Inmate's Calypso Competition.
The competition began around 11 am in the prison's courtyard and was attended by members of the public and officials such as Sangre Grande Regional Corporation chairman Terry Rondon and Deputy Commissioner of Prisons Mookish Puliah.
Inmates gathered around the covered area, sitting atop buckets as they looked on as 12 of their colleagues took to the stage to win the competition.
Singing original compositions backed by a live band, the contenders touched on societal issues plaguing the nation.
Haniff “Double H” Hillarie's song, Stop the War pleaded for an end to the ongoing gang rivalry between Rasta City and Muslim.
Andrew “The Messenger” Ryan's song, Living in the Last Days cited last year's high murder rate and the prevalence of diseases such as HIV/Aids as evidence of the end of times.
Ultimately, it was Edwin “Kinabi” Graham's Message for de Pastor which won the favour of the judges and crowd to top the competition. Graham's song detailed a conversation between him and a pastor, which questioned the choice of men who undergo sex changes.
The 55-year-old who is on the final leg of a four-year sentence for larceny told Guardian Media in an interview that he was inspired to write the song after the offence of buggery between consenting adults was decriminalised last year.
Asked if he expected such a positive reception to his song, he said: “Yes, well is the truth you know and the truth is very effective.”
Graham said: “I feel proud to know my talent gained some success and results for years of composition.”
His song also copped awards for “best lyrics” and “people's choice”.
Also winning special awards was Feraz Ali for his song Prison Reformation in the category “most improved”, Marvin Boisselle with Jumbie in the category “most humorous” and Terrence Delpeche defended his Road March title with his song Fire Bun Dem.
Following the competition, the inmates were treated to performances by calypso and soca stars such as Trinidad Rio, Benjai, and Denise “Saucy Wow” Belfon.