PHILIPSBURG:--- The September 9th, deadline to register for the 2017 NAGICO Calypso competition has passed. The RAW Promotions Foundation is proud to announce that 23 calypsonians have registered and signed up to compete in the 2017 NAGICO Calypso competition.
"It is pleasing to see that some of the calypsonians who have been away from competition for years, have signed up for 2017 competition, among them, King T-Mo, Ricky Da Phox, the Mighty Magic, The Mighty Carlix and the Mighty Dando. Familiar faces such as Kaiso Brat, King Baro, His Majesty Baker Jr and Fish the Mega Boss are still on board. Young Carlix the Protégé who due to alleged controversy did not make it to the 2016 finals is back with a vengeance and was the first to sign up for next year's competition.
6 former calypso monarchs signed up for the 2017 competition; King Beau Beau, Kaiso Brat, Fish De Mega Boss, King Repeater, Ricky Da Phox and Young Carlix the Protégé, who together represent 29 Calypso Monarch Crowns. Joining them on stage is the King of the double entendre, the 6 times Road March King and first ever Soca Monarch of St. Maarten, King T-Mo.
3 new contenders have joined the ranks this year: Lady Righteous, Sheera and Doctor Ray.
22 of the registered calypsonians will compete in the 2017 NAGICO Calypso eliminations, of which 10 will move on to the finals to face the reigning Calypso Monarch, Shakira; St. Maarten's first female Calypso Monarch.
For the past 3 years, female participation in the calypso competition has been growing and the ladies have demonstrated that not only are they a force to be reckoned with, but that calypso is not just a man thing. This was proven when Shakiya went on to win the 2016 NAGICO calypso crown, thus becoming the first female to ever win the St. Maarten Calypso Monarch. 6 females, including the reigning monarch, are registered to compete in the 2017 NAGICO Calypso competition; new comers Sheera and Lady Righteous, Ebony Empress, Lady Baker and Empress Zee.
While crowd pleaser such as The Mighty Chipman, The Mighty Pepper, The Wizard and D'Monitor and King Barow are on board, eyeing the Calypso Monarch crown or one of the many new prizes that the organizers are making available.
More prizes than usual are up for grabs in the 2017 NAGICO Calypso competition. There will be prizes for the most progressive, the most amicable, and the most popular calypsonian.
Calypso lovers will have the unique opportunity to see their favorite calypsonian(s) perform outside of competition in the calypso tents.
Calypso tents is not new to St. Maarten, but have not been promoted for many years. Special discounted prices will be available for patrons who wish to attend more than one, or all of the 2017 Calypso events.
"The way it looks, it seems like the 2017 NAGICO Calypso Competition will be the greatest in many years." said president of the RAW Promotions Foundation, Fernando Clark.
