TUCO president: Calypso alive and thriving
2026-02-02 - 03:19
Senior Reporter jesse.ramdeo@cnc3.co.tt Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO) president Ainsley King says calypso is not only alive but soaring, declaring that the artform is firmly in good hands as it continues to enjoy renewed energy and public support. King made the remarks yesterday during the announcement of the 40 semi-finalists for the National Calypso Monarch competition and the 15 finalists for the National Junior Calypso Monarch. According to King, the presence of calypso is being strongly felt across the country, both on the airwaves and on the stages. “Calypso is present. We are hearing calypso getting a lot of airplay. It is also very present because calypso is all over at this time,” he said. He also pointed to increased attendance at calypso events as a clear sign of the genre’s resurgence, noting that public interest continues to grow with each passing season. “There was a time when we were hearing people saying that calypso is a dying artform. Today, I don’t believe that saying that will be a correct statement,” King added. He said TUCO has also observed a growing interest from artistes outside the traditional calypso space, with performers from other musical genres increasingly collaborating within calypso tents. “We are seeing interest of artistes from different genres and an increase where artistes are coming to work with us in the tent. So it’s clear where calypso is concerned, in 2026, we can declare calypso is back, calypso is alive,” King said. Among the 40 semi-finalists hoping to dethrone reigning monarch Helon Francis are former title holders Duane O’ Connor, Terri Lyons, Karen Asche and Heather Mac Intosh. Calypso Monarch 2026 – Prize Structure 1st place: $1 million 2nd place: $500,000 3rd place: $350,000 4th place: $250,000 5th place: $175,000 6th–12th place: $45,000 each Semi-finalists for the National Calypso Monarch competition Addelon Braveboy (Banjela) Akenathon Lewis (Yung Bredda) Anthony La Fleur (Squeezy Rankin) Arnold Jordan (Jaw D) Bethany Lightbourne (Trinity) Brian London Catherine Chandler (Kassy) Cindy Alleyne (Ife Alleyne) Curlissa Charles-Mapp Dave Maikoo (Pae3ot) Devon Seale Dillon Thomas (Dilly Suede) Duane O’Connor Giselle Fraser (GG) Heather Mac Intosh J’leise Orr Jerrisha Duncan Regis-Paponette Karene Asche (The Calypso Princess) Kerice Pascall Lystra Nurse (Lady Lystra) Mark Howell Paul Marq Pierre Marsha Clifton (Lady Adanna) Meguella Simon Muhammad Muwakil (Freetown Collective) Nakasa Tahcher (Nakasa) Neville Brown (Bunny B) Nicholas Lucas Nicole Thomas-Clarke Rivaldo London Roderick Gordon (Chuck Gordon) Roslyn Reid Hayes (Roslyn) Samraj Jaimungal (Rikki Jai) Sean Daniel (D’ Psalmist) Sean Singh (Ifa) Sherwin Babb (Becomer) Ta’Zyah O’Connor Tameika Darius Terri Lyons Wendy Garrick (Wendy Garrick)