The Dimanche Gras Competition in Saint Vincent saw a repeat champion emerge victorious at Victoria Park. The Calypso Monarch competition last night was filled with lyrical fire. After all the singing, stage props, and missteps, a champion monarch emerged—a repeat champion. Madzart emerged as the repeat monarch for Carnival 2025, earning the top score of 418 points. His commanding performance reinforced his reign as a leading Calypsonian.
Once again, Fya Empress showed she can compete with the best and fell short of winning it all by a mere nine points. She placed second with 409 points for “Children of the Drum,” a powerful homage to heritage. Third went to Shaunelle McKenzie’s “Ghetto Mentality,” scoring 401, offering an unflinching look at social struggle.
Maxwell 'Tajoe' Francis' "Change for What!" and Zamfir 'Zangie' Adams' "My Nation" tied for fifth place and resonated with their timely messages.
01. Raeon ‘Madzart’ Primus—Gravy Train
02. Lornette "Fya Empress" Nedd—Children of the Drum
03. Shaunelle McKenz—Ghetto Mentality
05. Maxwell "Tajoe" Francis—Change for What! (Tie)
05. Zamfir "Zangie" Adams—My Nation (Tie)
This year’s competition proved Calypso is still a voice for the people—bold, unrelenting, and deeply rooted in Vincy pride.
- The eleven contestants selected to compete against last year's monarch, Raeon "Madzart" Primus, include one reserve contestant:
- Lornette "Fya Empress" Nedd—Children of the Drum
- Alvin "Zion-I" Dennie—We Know Who You Mean
- Dereck "Man Sick" Alexander—Nothing Good to Say
- Shaunelle McKenz—Ghetto Mentality
- Maxwell "Tajoe" Francis—Change for What!
- Zamfir "Zangie" Adams—My Nation
- Bernard "Reality I" White—Jeart Beat
- Sheena Collis—Our Nation's Cry
- Marvo "Marvelous Marvo" Morgan—Calypso Ah Singing
- Dennis Bowman—Plenty More to Come
- Johnny "Johnny Rebel" Hall—The Judiciary
- Reserve: Robert "Patches" Knights - Fake News
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Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Dimanche Gras - Calypso Monarch
Artist/Performed by: Various listed above
Origin: Victoria Park, Saint Vincent
Winning Song:
Artist/Performed by: MaddZart
Lyrics & Melody: R. Primus
Composer: Andrez Bascombe & R. Primus
Arranger: R. Primus.
Live Drums: Deion Allen
Back Vocals: Aretha Shallow & Valene Nedd
Recording Engineer: Andrez Bascombe, R. Primus & Kamall Archibald (Sound Domain)
Mixing and Mastering at: The Church
Producer: R. Primus for Fete King Music
Executive Producer: Fete King Music.
©️Fete King Music (PRS)
Genre: Calypso 🎶
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