Redman is the new Canadian Calypso Monarch

Redman

By RON FANFAIR

Good things come to those who wait, nothing happens before its time, and persistence pays off.

Redman (Michael Thomas) has grown accustomed to these clichés propounding patience as a virtue, after failing to convert years of solid performances in the Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA) to a title.

That changed last Saturday night as the second-time People's Choice winner celebrated his first Calypso Monarch crown victory at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

"I have been walking this road a long time," said the Grenadian-born performer. "I compare it to climbing a mountain and at times feeling frustrated because you are not seeing the summit. You feel like turning back, but then you tell yourself you can't do that because you have put in too much work to get to this point. Now I have arrived there after many years and it's a great feeling."

Known for his intense work ethic, few are surprised that Redman persevered until he achieved his goal of winning the crown.

He started his own business, Kaiso Window Cleaning, two decades ago, operating for the first eight years with a bicycle before being able to purchase his first vehicle.

"I am not surprised that he has stuck with the game so long because he's dedicated to what he does," said fellow calypsonian and MC, Dick Lochan. "He's very clear about the issue he wants to portray in his songs and he does not deviate even if he feels it will not go down well with the judges. Once his audience is entertained, he's OK with that."

Redman has been a crowd favourite since making his OCPA debut in 1990. After appearing 11 straight years in the competition, he took a seven-year hiatus before returning last year.

"I think I have turned in performances in past competitions that have equaled what I did this year and I was not rewarded with a crown," he said. "I cannot do anything about the judges who are there to make decisions based on what they see and hear. What I could, however, attempt to do, is please the audience."

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Jean Augustine, the first Black woman to be elected to Canada's House of Commons, crowned the new champion.

"That was the high point of the night for me because not only is she a fellow Grenadian, but she's an avid calypso supporter," said Redman. "She has been to most of the finals, even when she was heavily involved in politics. To have her come and congratulate me and place the crown on my head was quite an honour and one that I will always cherish."

His composition, "Black Hen Chicken", won the Best Lyrics and Most Humourous Calypso awards.

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"'Black hen chicken' is a term we use in Grenada for the mother - who is the hen - having children - who are the chickens - that turn out to be no good," he explained.

Redman's second song, "Ah Done With Picong", shared the Best Composition on a Local Topic award with Structure's "Me Social Commentary".

Crooner (Bill Newman), who won the People's Choice award in his first year with "TV Talk Show", was the runner-up for the second time in the past three years while four-time champion, Structure (Bryan Thornhill), was third.

Two-time winner and defending champion, Macomere Fifi, was fourth, followed by Naki (Nzunaki Tuitt), Susan G. (Susan Grogan), Spice (Denise Alexander), King Cosmos (Henry Gomez ) and the only five-time winner, Beginner (Michael Moore).

Macomere Fifi's "I Ain't Taking No More" won the Best Melody, Best Presentation, Best Vocal Rendition and Best Arrangement awards, while Crooner clinched the Best Original award for his presentation, "Bending Backwards".

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The nine finalists were judged on lyrics, melody, rendition, presentation and originality.

Redman is the fourth calypsonian to capture the title this millennium, Structure has won the crown four of the last seven years, the retired Dennis James was crowned champion in 2001, 2002 and 2006, and Fifi secured her second crown last year.

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