Garnett ‘Sylk’ Thompson has been crowned Montserrat Calypso Monarch for the fourth time, with this year’s winning songs ‘Only in Montserrat’ and ‘Nature of Politricks’.
The talented artist received a total of 908 points for his vibrant performances at Carnival City in Little Bay on 29 December, securing the title with a clear margin of 29 points.
In second place was Lloyd ‘Bimshaw’ Francis with 879 points and in a close third was Kimari ‘Proklaima’ Kirnon with 876 points.
Maggie ‘Maggie D’ Destouche and Dr Tiffannie ‘Daughter of the Soil’ Skerritt-Flemming were the top performing women, securing fourth and fifth place in the finals with 833 and 821 points.
The sixth to tenth positions went to Kenneth ‘Yogi Laser’ Greenaway, Alvin ‘Dardo’ Duberry, Destiny ‘Destiny’ Weekes, Ozwald ‘Ozzie Blue’ Carty and Kevin ‘King Nattie-Negus’ Farrell.
Special prizes
As well as the Calypso Monarch crown, there were also a number of special awards and prizes handed out on the evening.
Bimshaw won the William ‘Ruler’ Morraine Award for being the crowd favourite, the Randy Greenaway Award for the best written calypso song ‘Me Waste Me X’, and was named the most improved calypsonian.
Proklaima won the Denise Philip Award for most creative calypso song ‘House in the Valley’ and the Kharl Markham Award for best arranged song ‘The Oracle of Night’.
Ozzie Blue won the Justin ‘Hero’ Cassell Award for best social commentary, and Sylk won the Everton ‘Reality’ Weekes Award for most melodious song.
The Desmond ‘Undertaker’ Davis Award for most comical or jovial song went to Bulldozer for
‘Kamala Get Trumped’ while Jimmy Calypso was named best newcomer.
The prize for best festive song went to Dardo with ‘Give Us More’.
Veteran calypsonian
Sylk previously won the title in 2023 with ‘What’s On My Mind’ and ‘Self-Determination’, in 2018 with ‘Trade War’ and ‘All Hands on Deck’ and in 2011 with ‘Changing World’ and ‘Never Give Up’.
In an interview with ZJB Radio after this year’s winning performances, Sylk said: “It’s a wonderful feeling. Never felt so good.”
He said it was his experience in the competition that helped him to secure this year’s win and a prize total of EC$15,000.
Referring to the Leeward Islands Calypso Monarch Competition, he said he has “unfinished business in Anguilla”.
He thanked all of his supporters and fans “for all the years you’ve been following me” and said he will be back again.
