Some entertainers and tent managers are singing the same tune on the one-song Pic O De Crop final, but believe the elimination of the semi-final round is doing the artform a disservice.

They are asking the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) to eventually reintroduce that segment of the competition.

President of the Barbados Association of Creatives and Artists (BACA) Sean Apache Carter is among those making the call.

“There are still a few persons who prefer the twosong format but the majority of calypsonians at large have accepted and embraced the one-song format. However, we were the ones calling for a semi-final because BACA and calypsonians still believe there is room for it.

“A semifinal ensures that the quality of the finals is even better. It’s a big jump especially for younger emerging artistes to go from singing in a tent on judging night and singing on the finals stage,” he said.

Carter acknowledged that financial constraints contributed to the removal of the semis, but suggested a fresh approach be adopted to reduce costs.

“You can try a different structure instead of going to the Gymnasium. Try an outdoor event and invite the whole family to come out,” he said.

In announcing changes to the festival for 2019, the NCF cited cost-cutting measures, as part of the reasons, which included combining the Sweet Soca and Party Monarch contests into a new Soca Monarch final, the removal of the semi-final leg from Pic O De Crop, and the one song on finals night. No

Soca Monarch has been held since COVID-19.

Manager of House of Soca tent Sharon Carew-White also wants to see the resumption of a semi-final. She said since there was no Soca Monarch, it was vital to further develop the calypso competition.

“If there is going to be no competition outside of Pic O De Crop, I think a semi-final would help build the hype and interest,” she told the

DAILY NATION.

She, however, acknowledged how costly it could be to stage an event of that magnitude.

Last month, during the launch of Kooyman All Stars, tent manager Eleanor Rice called the for the Pic O De Crop to return to two songs per performer, as the competition had produced quality songs when finalists had to bring two pieces.

Some discussion

In the last SUNDAY SUN, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Senator Dr Shantal Munro-Knight said although there was some discussion about the absence of the semi-final, the status quo would remain.

Former calypso monarch William Classic Waithe also shared his view on the one-song issue.

“Most of the time, it’s one song that stands out and performing one song is less expensive. Most of the time in the finals people win based on the strength of one song,” the two-time monarch said.

He, however, disagreed with the removal of the semi-final, arguing that it could enhance the Pic O De Crop final which he said was challenged last year.

“After the finals . . . the consensus among the general public was that the finals was of a poor standard. Having another layer of elimination can assist in that because a person can have a good judging night but that does not mean the person is finals material.

“So when they get to the semi-finals, they have to show a higher level of competence and quality in order to qualify for a final,” Classic said.

Four-time monarch David

Kid Site Piggott expressed similar sentiments.

“A tent probably has a maximum of 1 500 people but the semi-final is the first taste on a national stage,” he said, adding it was a critical step to help young calypsonians.

“Calypso is an art form that needs to be developed. You had people [in Trinidad] like Stalin. He started at 59 but only won at 79. Shadow started in the 1970s but didn’t win until 2000. A lot of people had to fight their way and it goes for Bajans too. They had to develop; you can’t develop young calypsonians like that,” he said.

Entertainer and 2024 Pic O De Crop finalist Geoffrey Biggie Irie Cordle agreed with the one-song format.

“Last year was the first year I competed with one song and although it was a bit stressful because I sang last at No 18, I liked the one-song competition.

“When it’s a two-song competition, there is always some difficulty with having a stronger second song. If you have a strong song, there is a possibility you can come within the first six or eight, but if you don’t have a strong second song it can be fairly stressful.”

As for a semi-final, he said: “That is a lot of stress too. I prefer them not to have a semi-final. I prefer to choose from the tent.” (TG)

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