Junior Soca, Calypso artistes get govt subsidies

―To aid in recoding of their music

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, January 14, 2020

This year’s contenders for the Junior Soca and Calypso competitions have been given a major boost following the provision of government subsidies to be utilised in the recording of their songs in the respective competitions.

It was highlighted by Mash Coordinator Andrew Tyndall, that this grant was once offered to newcomers and veteran Calypsonians by the Department of Culture. However, a decision was taken to shift attention to the junior categories for 2020.

Reigning Junior Soca Monarch Jovinski Thorne.

(left to right) Reigning Junior Calypso Monarch Jamal Stewart, runner-up Jovinski Thorne, Jada Harry in third place and Kezia Henry in fourth place.

Mash Coordinator Andrew Tyndall.

“For three years we would have supported the recording of music for the calypsonians and chutney artistes.  2019 was the last year for that, so this year they will have pay to record their music and the focus now is on the youths,” Tyndall told DPI.

He noted that with the granting of the subsidies the artistes can now focus on providing top-notch performances. According to Tyndall, the decision to move the provision of grants to the juniors was not an easy one, as such the department will still support the seniors by contributing to the cost of the scoring of their music

Last year, Jamal Stewart copped the Junior Calypso Monarch with his song “Miss May’s Old Car Engine” while Jovinski Thorne was awarded the Junior Soca Monarch with his song ‘The Stage’.

For persons interested the Junior Calypso and Soca Rehearsals will be held on January 18 at the Kitty Seawall Bandstand.