As we edge towards the 'big shows,' the Extempore and Freestyle Calypso monarch competitions took place at the Radisson Hotel, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain. It was time for Extempore, or to put it in a Trini term, "Picong War"! An appreciative and packed audience was in attendance to witness this fun and beloved aspect of our Calypso culture.
In the first round of the Extempore competition, the Calypsonians selected a topic from a hat and sang to one of the extempore melodies. Tonight, the singers use the Sans Humanité, Big Bamboo, and Mary Ann melodies. As the headline stated, Akeem "Preedy" Chance won the Freestyle Calypso Title, and a happy Black Sage won the Extempore Title before you get into the details of the competition.
The first round went as follows:
Snakey's topic was "Advice to the incoming Prime Minister"—Sans Humanité
Preedy's topic was "WASA getting 'worserer'"—Sans Humanité
Hezekiah Joseph's topic was "Trini Does Be in Everything"—Sans Humanité
Brian London's topic was "The State of West Indies Cricket"—Miss Mary Ann
Myron Bruce's topic was "Machel Help Rekindle Interest in Calypso"—Rum and Coca Cola
Lady Sytax's topic was "Must A Man Have Big Money to Keep Her"—Sans Humanité
Black Sage's topic was "Beenie Man Say, 'Trini I'm Sorry.'" —Sans Humanité
Winston Peters' topic was "Obeah in Calypso"—Sans Humanité
National Extempore (Extempo) Monarch Finalists 2025
First Round (Topic pulled from box)
- Heaven Charles—Snakey
- Akeem Chance—Preedy
- Hezekiah Joseph
- Brian London
- Myron Bruce—Calypso Nite
- Elysia Ray—Lady Syntax
- Phillip Murray—Black Sage
- Winston Peters—Gypsy
Second Round (Topic pulled from box)
- Phillip Murray—Black Sage vs Myron Bruce—Calypso Nite
- Winston Peters—Gypsy vs Brian London
Third Round/Finals for the Crown (Battle Zone—War)
- Pillip Murray—Black Sage vs Brian London
In the second round, Phillip Murray, aka "Black Sage," went up against Myron Bruce, aka "Calypso Nite," singing about the topic "Who I like for Panorama," using the Sans Humanité melody.
To conclude the second round, Winston Peters, aka "Gypsy," went up against Brian London singing about the topic "Trinidad Killa Like Too Much Attention" using the Sans Humanité melody. Gypsy's voice was not in top form with a hoarse tone! Although the battle was highly engaging, Gypsy's hoarse voice gave Brian London the advantage.
The Finals
Six verses and no topic to determine the winner of the Extempore competition and take home the $200,000 first prize money. Black Sage exposed Brian London's sexually implied hit as crass, as the two engaged in a tit-for-tat exchange. Subsequently, Black Sage unleashed his full arsenal of skills to subdue Brian London. Black Sage looked serious and pissed off during the picong war, but Brian continued poking the beast as the battle continued. Having said that, Gypsy had some excellent lines delivered during the battle, but the result for this battle was an easy decision: Brian London. Picong was thrown and corrected, and the battle fizzled to a boring end.
The final result was not a surprise: Black Sage emerged as the winner with Brian London in second place.
National Freestyle Monarch Finalists 2025
First Round
- Romano Ragoonathsingh—Pro Verbalist
- Akeem Chance—Preedy
- Nyol Manswell
- Jumaane Cox—Juby
- Arnold Noel—Black Starr
- Anthony La Fleur—Squeezy Rankin
- Orlando Octave
- Myron Bruce—Calypso Nite
Second Round
- Orlando Octave vs Arnold Noel—Black Starr
- Akeem Chance—Preedy vs Myron Bruce
In the second round, Orlando Octave went up against Arnold Noel—"Black Starr' singing about the topic "Tribute to Lord Nelson," using the "Big Links Riddim."
To conclude this second round of competition, Akeem Chance, aka "Preedy," went up against Myron Bruce, singing about the topic "Who's Taking The Calypso Crown This Year" using the same "Big Links Riddim."
Third Round/Finals (Battle Zone—War)
- Akeem Chance—Preedy vs Orlando Octave
The Finals
Three rounds, two minutes per round, and anything goes. Picong-War to win the first prize of $50,000. Once again, they delivered their lyrics using the "Big Links Riddim." Orlando went first, but he was a little shaky, struggling to deliver significant blows to Preedy. However, then came Preedy, who was smooth and delivered strong lyrical content.
The second stage of the singing was a little better for Orlando Octave. His flow was better, and he put some lyrics together, but they were very disjointed. Preedy looked bored and ready to destroy Orlando. The topic went a little personal, singing about family relations that Preedy addressed. Preedy made sure to advise Orlando that 'not this time' for him, because he (Preedy) will prevail.
The final round references a little gun talk by Preedy in the second round. Sexuality and who is the better lyricist were addressed in the last round of the freestyle singing competition. Preed sang and delivered the final outcome, crowning himself winner, but what was the judges' decision?
The result for the Freestyle Calypso Competition was an easy choice. The judges awarded Preedy the winner with Orlando Octave in second place.
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Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event: National Extempore Calypso & National Freestyle Calypso Competitions
Venue: Radisson Hotel, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain.
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Calypso: Extempore/Freestyle
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