First time entrant Roland O. Vieira aka Chico B won the 2016 Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Calypso competition at the Franka A. Pickering Festiville in Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda on March 27, 2016 with his songs Thanks BVI and Rum Pipe after garnering a total 534 points. Photo: VINO

Vieira said putting the songs together was not that hard as he was writing from the heart. “The lyrics flowed...the Rum Pipe is something humorous and I love humor. But the Thanks BVI is something that I really feel from my heart because the BVI accepted me here from St Vincent,” he said. Photo: VINO

Last on the list was Mighty Reddo with Different Version and Hip Hip for 2016. Photo: VINO

The Rum Tank, a prop for Chico B's song of the same name. Photo: VINO

Second Runner Up Mighty Falco garnered 409 points for his songs Kick Dem Out and Festival in Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO

Third Runner Up was Mighty Leh Leh with 368 points for his songs Better Times and VG Will Be Ok. Photo: VINO

First Runner Up was King Henry with 425 points who sang Virgin Gorda and Domestic Violence. Photo: VINO

A section of the audience at the Calypso Competition. Photo: VINO

Another view of the crowd that was gathered for the competition. Photo: VINO

Awaiting the judges' decision. From left are Joseph Garcia aka Mighty Reddo, Roland O. Vieira aka Chico B, Gaverson A. Frett aka Falco, Reuben Henry aka King Henry and Lester Fortelio aka Mighty Leh Leh. Photo: VINO

Calypsonian Roland O. Vieira aka Chico B won the 2016 Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Calypso competition out of a field of five competitors at the Franka A. Pickering Festiville in Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda on March 27, 2016. Photo: VINO

Chico B won Best Musical Arrangement, Best Humourous Performance and Best Lyrics. Mighty Leh Leh won Best Social Commentary. Best Writer for Social Commentary also went to Mighty Leh Leh.

‘Thanks BVI’, as the name suggests, is a tribute to the territory from a man who is thankful for the opportunities the Virgin Islands has afforded him.

Rum Pipe is a humourous look at the skyrocketing cost of living, making it next to impossible to drink rum in the rum shops. The crowd reacted wildly to this song and this was a clear early indicator which calypsonian was in hot contention for the top prize.

Third Runner Up was Mighty Leh Leh with 368 points for his songs Better Times and VG Will Be Ok, Second Runner Up Mighty Falco garnered 409 points for his songs Kick Dem Out and Festival in Virgin Gorda and First Runner Up was King Henry with 425 points who sang Virgin Gorda and Domestic Violence. Last on the list was Mighty Reddo with Different Version and Hip Hip for 2016.

As the winner of the competition, Chico B won a prize of $4,000. Third Runner Up received $1,500, Second Runner Up $2,000 and First Runner Up $3,000.

Shereen Flax, known as Queen Shereen, dropped out at the last moment due to health reasons, Reynold A. Phillips aka King Paido- the 2015 VG calypso monarch- was involved in an accident and therefore did not compete and 2013 champion Joycelyn Searles aka Sistah Joyce opted out of competing this year.

‘Thanks BVI’ from the heart

Roland O. Vieira aka Chico B said he was really excited as he loves competition and trophies. “Right now I am really ecstatic...I love the people of VG and the rest of the BVI. This is the first time I am competing in the [Virgin Gorda Easter Fest Calypso Competition],” he said during an interview with this news site.

He said putting the songs together was not that hard as he was writing from the heart. “The lyrics flowed...the Rum Pipe is something humorous and I love humor. But the Thanks BVI is something that I really feel from my heart because the BVI accepted me here from St Vincent,” said Chico B.

The overjoyed calypso monarch said he came to the territory with his wife who is a nurse and has been here just under two years. “Since I came here the people treated me well and were very hospitable and I just feel good so Thanks BVI [is expressing my gratitude] to the BVI for accepting me and embracing me here.”

Asked what he plans to do with his prize money, Chico B. said he will be investing it in music, adding that one of his biggest challenges is finance in terms of the competition. “Thank God for my wife...she really helped me out along the way,” he concluded.

See previous article published on March 28, 2016:

Chico B is VG Easter Fest Calypso Monarch!

SPANISH TOWN, Virgin Gorda, VI - (Post Time: 1:46AM) Calypsonian Roland O. Vieira aka Chico B won the 2016 Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Calypso competition out of a field of five competitors at the Franka A. Pickering Festiville in Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda on March 27, 2016.

Competing along with Chico B were King Henry, Falco, Mighty Leh Leh and Mighty Reddo. Three calypsonians had dropped out due to various issues.

Third Runner Up was Mighty Leh Leh with 368 points for his songs Better Times and VG Will Be Ok, Second Runner Up Mighty Falco garnered 409 points for his songs Kick Dem Out and Festival in Virgin Gorda and First Runner Up was King Henry with 425 points who sang Virgin Gorda and Domestic Violence. Last on the list was Mighty Reddo with Different Version and Hip Hip for 2016.

As the winner of the competition, Chico B won a prize of $4,000.

Shereen Flax known as Queen Shereen dropped out at the last moment due to health reasons, Reynold A. Phillips aka King Paido the 2015 VG calypso champion was involved in an accident and therefore did not compete and 2013 champion Joycelyn Searles aka Sistah Joyce opted out of competing this year.

We will have more details in a subsequent update.