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UPDATE: Sistah Joyce is 4 time Calypso Monarch!

- Another Virgin Gordian, Queen Shereen, takes First Runner-up spot
Sistah Joyce won the Virgin Islands Calypso Monarch for the 4th time on July 27, 2016 at Rita Francis Festiville Photo: VINO
The 2016 Virgin Islands Calypso Monarch failed to draw a large crowd at Rita Francis Festiville. Photo: VINO
The 2016 Virgin Islands Calypso Monarch failed to draw a large crowd at Rita Francis Festiville. Photo: VINO
Witnessing the 2016 Virgin Islands Calypso Monarch in comfort. Photo: VINO
Witnessing the 2016 Virgin Islands Calypso Monarch in comfort. Photo: VINO
Sistah Joyce is congratulated after winning the Virgin Islands Calypso Monarch for the 4th consecutive year. Photo: VINO
Sistah Joyce is congratulated after winning the Virgin Islands Calypso Monarch for the 4th consecutive year. Photo: VINO
Falco. Photo: VINO
Falco. Photo: VINO
King Henry. Photo: VINO
King Henry. Photo: VINO
Mighty Mako. Photo: VINO
Mighty Mako. Photo: VINO
King Paido was Third Runner-up at the Virgin Islands Calypso Monarch 2016. Photo: VINO
King Paido was Third Runner-up at the Virgin Islands Calypso Monarch 2016. Photo: VINO
Mighty Rocky took the Second Runner-up position at the 2016 Virgin Islands Calypso Competition. Photo: VINO
Mighty Rocky took the Second Runner-up position at the 2016 Virgin Islands Calypso Competition. Photo: VINO
First Runner-up, Queen Shereen. Photo: VINO
First Runner-up, Queen Shereen. Photo: VINO
Sistah Joyce singing her way into history at Rita Francis Festiville on July 27, 2016. Photo: VINO
Sistah Joyce singing her way into history at Rita Francis Festiville on July 27, 2016. Photo: VINO
Queen Shereen (Shereen Flax), right, has warned her male counterparts in tonight’s, July 27, 2016 Calypso Competition that herself and reigning Calypso Queen Sistah Joyce (Joycelyn Searles), left, will be coming strong and so they should be on their A game on stage. Photo: VINO/File
Queen Shereen (Shereen Flax), right, has warned her male counterparts in tonight’s, July 27, 2016 Calypso Competition that herself and reigning Calypso Queen Sistah Joyce (Joycelyn Searles), left, will be coming strong and so they should be on their A game on stage. Photo: VINO/File
King Paido (left) and King Henry are in the finals of the Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival Calypso Competition. Photo: VINO/File
King Paido (left) and King Henry are in the finals of the Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival Calypso Competition. Photo: VINO/File
The seven calypsonians for tonight's (July 27, 2016) competition at Rita Francis Festiville in Road Town. Photo: Provided
The seven calypsonians for tonight's (July 27, 2016) competition at Rita Francis Festiville in Road Town. Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- History was made at the Rita Francis Festiville on July 27, 2016 when Joycelyn “Sistah Joyce” Searles was named the Virgin Islands’ Calypso Monarch for the 4th consecutive year.

Sistah Joyce rocked the comfortable crowd in two rounds with her upbeat songs: ‘Don’t hang your hat, where your hands can’t reach’, which speaks to persons who live outside their means and ‘Wa you bawling fa?’, a highly politicised song, telling the people who want her to sing of the troubles that the territory currently faces to leave her alone and “take it and shut your mouth.”

Sistah Joyce is the first to win the Virgin Islands Calypso Monarch for the 4th consecutive year. Luther B. (Luther Butler) had won the title for three (3) consecutive years when his string of wins was ended in 2013 by Sistah Joyce.

Queen Shereen (Shereen Flax) came in the First Runner-up spot with her two songs: ‘Strength of a woman’, which addressed domestic violence and treating women better and ‘Living beyond we means’, a strikingly similar number to that of Sistah Joyce’s ‘Don’t hang your hat, where your hands can’t reach’.

Queen Shereen had warned her male counterparts in the Calypso Competition that herself and reigning Calypso Queen Sistah Joyce (Joycelyn Searles), who both hail from Virgin Gorda, would have been coming strong and so they should be on their A game on stage.

Meanwhile, Mighty Rocky took the Second Runner-up position with his two songs: ‘Modern day slavery’, which says it all and ‘I will never shut me mouth’, vowing to always address issues affecting the people.

The dynamic King Paido swept in the Third Runner-up place with: ‘Too many murders’, speaking about murders happening in the Virgin Islands and it is “not nice,” and ‘Potential killer on the road’. This song spoke to the vehicles being a hazard, if not used properly such as texting while driving, overtaking recklessly or driving too quickly.

There were a total of seven competitors, including Falco, with’ Singing for my country’ and ‘Modern technology’; Mighty Mako, with his renditions ‘Gambling’ and ‘Changes’; King Henry, with ‘Helping hand’ and ‘Crime don’t pay’.

Not surprised

Speaking to members of the media moments after being crowned, Sistah Joyce said it was a special achievement for her, but she was not at all surprised.

“No surprise, no surprise. I write my own songs, music as well, so it is easier for me than some other calypsonians who don’t write at all. I do it from scratch, music, lyrics, so I think that is an edge that I have on the other calypsonians,” she said. “Who Jah bless no man curse!”

She admitted that the competition was tough and contrary to popular belief, it was not an easy win.

“This year had some really, really strong calypso, only the fittest of the fittest.”

See previous story published July 27, 2016

Female calypsonians plan to 'take the lead' tonight!

- Queen Shereen & Sistah Joyce among 7 for Calypso Monarch @ Rita Francis Festiville

Queen Shereen (Shereen Flax) has warned her male counterparts in tonight’s, July 27, 2016 Calypso Competition that herself and reigning Calypso Queen Sistah Joyce (Joycelyn Searles) will be coming strong and so they should be on their A game on stage.

The Virgin Islands Calypso Monarch will be held from 8:00 P.M. at Rita Francis Festiville in Road Town.

Sistah Joyce and Queen Shereen will be coming up against Falco, King Henry, Mighty Mako, King Paido and Mighty Rocky.

“There are two women in the competition and we are two strong women so guys watch yourself because we coming for yal, Sistah Joyce and I,” Queen Shereen said on the Morning Ride Show with host Paul ‘Gadiethz’ Peart on July 25, 2016.

“We as women have to be strong in this community and we have to take the lead and we are going to take the lead on Wednesday night as well. So I am putting that challenge out there to the men,” she added.

Calypsonians the ‘voice of the people’

Queen Shereen had also said that calypsonians are the voice of the people, who tell the politicians what is really happening in a country.

“There are lots of people who want to say things but may not have the courage to say it. And that is what calypsonians are here for. It is not just about the competition. As a calypsonian you have to have that integrity and passion to get the message of the people across to the people who make decisions for the country.”

The calypsonian from Virgin Gorda said one of her songs for tonight, Strength of a Woman, speaks out against domestic violence.

 “Everyone is online and seeing what is happening in our community. Every day there is an issue with domestic violence, sexual harassment, molestation of children, both boys and girls, and we do have our share of violence against men as well. So my message is women have to be strong, women are the foundation of society and we have to take the lead and be strong to make sure we get rid of this scourge of violence in our country.

Her other song for tonight, Living beyond your Means, is for both ordinary persons as well as politicians.

“You have children going to school hungry, teachers buying lunch for some of these hungry children. It happens on a daily basis while the mothers are getting their toenails done, they putting on tattoos that cost hundreds of dollars. Where are the priorities?”

Questioning the priorities of Government, Queen Shereen said there are many public offices and schools “that don’t have paper. Where is the priority?...Roads in disrepair, the clinic in Virgin Gorda is at a standstill.”

Meanwhile, the host for tonight’s show will be ‘Ragga’.

Small Axe Band will be providing entertainment after the competition.

23 Responses to “UPDATE: Sistah Joyce is 4 time Calypso Monarch!”

  • Slice (27/07/2016, 17:27) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hope dem politicisns tek blows tonite
  • Females-first (27/07/2016, 17:42) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Was this cleared by the dictator, myrun?
  • True (27/07/2016, 23:46) Like (11) Dislike (19) Reply
    Heard Flax screaming i mean singing at Anegada Reef one night, thought someone was in trouble and called the police it sounded that bad.
    • VG to da bone (28/07/2016, 07:04) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
      'True' you always have negative to say about Flax. Why don't you get on the stage and sing? I'm sure you can't do what any of these calypsonians do. Stay at home if you don't want to hear her
    • vi (28/07/2016, 09:45) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree that sometime Shereen singing is bad, but last night she sang very well. I was impressed by all the calypsonians in last night's competition
  • Women Rule! (28/07/2016, 06:53) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Men just think they do.
  • % (28/07/2016, 06:57) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congrats Sistah Joyce
  • Vex man (28/07/2016, 06:58) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    dem men dem not fit to represent we
  • Song Bird (28/07/2016, 06:59) Like (55) Dislike (0) Reply
    Whey is Luther B?
  • Big Sis (28/07/2016, 07:15) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congrats Sistah Joyce..big shout out to my lil bro Keith Gardener Jr...you did it again...music is definitely your passion.
  • Yes! Big sis! (28/07/2016, 08:20) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congratulations Joyce, I knew you'd win it again. #Boom
  • trrefdrfds (28/07/2016, 08:55) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    These events are poorly attend because people are broke and don't have no money. It comes down to buying food, paying rent etc. instead of going to the village. Be for real things really hard and people could only afford to pay for 1 or two shows come on. People have kids and the tickets for a ride are 5 and 6 dollars so you have to feed the children from home but we all know children they still going to want something. Pay day aint come for most people yet and even when it does, you have rent etc and have to worry about buying school clothes. Because of how things are people had to buckle down on money. We cannot afford to go to village whether free or not because you still have to spend money. This is reality.
    • jimmy (28/07/2016, 10:02) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
      Nope, don't blame brokeness. If some wanted to go they would have; they'll be out in numbers this weekend.
      • It is their choice... (28/07/2016, 13:52) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        If they cannot afford to pay for all the shows what would you like them to do? Stand at the gate and beg someone else to pay for them to go in? They choose which nights they want to attend based on their financial situation.
    • ..... (28/07/2016, 12:32) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      Right.....but they will come up with $30 or so to see Beenie man Friday night . Give me a break. So tired of the lame excuses. They don't go because they don't care to go.
  • Xxx (28/07/2016, 11:41) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    it was the night of women
  • yarde (28/07/2016, 12:52) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    yes sis you turn up the thing a more vibes straight congrat
  • music (28/07/2016, 14:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    And then you work so hard all year to produce good music, and Not One Local Song they would play on the radio and it's festival season. You have to tune in at certain times of the day to hear something local. Festival gone to the dogs! Congrats Sistah Joyce
    • Well (28/07/2016, 15:11) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      I thought it was just me! Festival time, local music suppose to be blasting all over the radio stations all day. Idk what gone wrong with our festival no lie
  • Yes (28/07/2016, 15:40) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don't hang your hat where your hand cannot reach it... some people still wont learn.. I don't have money
    instead I go beg I will stay home....
    • Support our own!! (28/07/2016, 15:58) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Not even JTV does do a Lil jukebox with local music videos any more .If you watch JTV their jukebox shows us in from America... Like aya need to stop! The people aya showing don't care that aya playing their music they already making money.. Ain going hurt to feature some VI talent .. Musicians over her work hard.
      • You're right (28/07/2016, 16:54) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ Support your own. You are so right. Big festival them playing daddy Friday over and over and the old man fron St. Croix, Stanley and his quelbe' music. Not one ounce of air time of artists from here. This sicknin man. Glad you saw that too


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