{"id":5642,"date":"2025-01-21T17:45:07","date_gmt":"2025-01-21T17:45:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/21\/hercules-crowned-grenada-new-york-independence-monarch-for-record-seventh-time\/"},"modified":"2025-01-21T17:45:07","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T17:45:07","slug":"hercules-crowned-grenada-new-york-independence-monarch-for-record-seventh-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/2025\/01\/21\/hercules-crowned-grenada-new-york-independence-monarch-for-record-seventh-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Hercules crowned Grenada-New York Independence Monarch for record seventh time"},"content":{"rendered":"

Singing \u201c51 Years,\u201d Hercules Sunday night <\/span>was crowned<\/span> the 2025 Grenada New York Independence Monarch, maintaining his sheer dominance of Grenadian calypsos in New York for a record seventh time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGrenada, 51 years of independence, it was a different type of independence song, congratulating Grenada on 51 years of independence and issues in the community,\u201d Hercules, whose real name is Paul Williams, told <\/span>Caribbean Life<\/span><\/strong> exclusively on Monday.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe song <\/span>is based<\/span> on being a better independent country as a whole,\u201d added Hercules, who competed with 12 other contenders at the Grenada New York Independence Calypso Show at Nazareth Hall in Brooklyn. \u201cWe\u2019re independent, but we can be better independent if we do certain things, like provide better health care and more employment, which could make life better for Grenadians.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the treacherous, snowy conditions outside, Hercules said the crowd inside the hall reacted to the defending champion\u2019s triumph \u201cin the most amazing way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe song brought the whole house down,\u201d he said. \u201cI expected to win again. <\/span>I <\/span>knew <\/span>my<\/span> song was good lyrically. <\/span>I <\/span>have a good chorus for the song, and<\/span> I <\/span>try to make each song <\/span>make<\/span> sense.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s how I write my songs every time,\u201d he added. \u201cFrom the time <\/span>I\u2019m<\/span> singing, you have to pay attention.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> great winning for the seventh time,\u201d Hercules continued. \u201cIt\u2019s amazing. <\/span>I <\/span>won the jubilee (last year), and I won this back-to-back.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBack-to-back is not an easy thing to do,\u201d he said. \u201cYou have to explain it (calypso) and deliver. <\/span>I\u2019m<\/span> always strong when delivering the song. <\/span>That\u2019s<\/span> one of my strong points.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Quako

Quako and Cheryl V say “Thank You” during Grenada New York Jubilee Calypso Show last year. <\/span>Photo by Nelson A. King<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

In securing victory, Hercules scored 408 points, seven ahead of his closest challengers, Cheryl Vincent and Quako, who sang jointly for the second successive year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Elo placed third, with 381.50 points; Super Star fourth, with 380 points; and Super Flying Flint fifth, with 373 points.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other competitors were Mr. Ledz (360 points), Pet (335 points), TG (332.50 points), Lady Gloria (313 points), Muscle (309), Frost Music 473 (306 points), and La Touche and Island Daddy tied for 12th place on 298 points.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cheryl Vincent \u2013 a community figure, member of the Grenada cultural group Quake USA, and a registered nurse by training \u2013 told <\/span>Caribbean Life<\/span><\/strong> she was very pleased with her and Quako\u2019s joint performance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe standards <\/span>definitely<\/span> went up this year,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m very satisfied with my performance \u2013 myself and Quako. We represented ourselves very well.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe came second\u201d, she added. \u201cThere was only a difference of seven points from the person who won.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>Royden Beharry, an organizer and coordinator for the Grenada New York Independence Monarch Show, also told <\/span>Caribbean Life<\/span><\/strong> that the 2025 competition was \u201ca resounding success, bringing together celebrated artists, such as King Ajamu, Inspector and Grenada Calypso King Innocent, alongside talented performers, like Hercules, Pet, and others.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe energy, camaraderie, and outstanding performances made the event an unforgettable celebration of our culture,\u201d he said. \u201cWith strong attendance, excellent feedback, and an elevated sense of Grenadian pride, the event achieved its objectives, continuing its legacy as a flagship cultural event in the Diaspora.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs the producer of the 2025 Grenada New York Independence Monarch Show, I <\/span>am<\/span> truly honored to continue the legacy of this historic event, which has been a cornerstone of our community for over 25 years,\u201d he added. \u201cThis show is more than just a competition; it is a celebration of Grenadian culture, artistry, and resilience, bringing together some of the finest talents in calypso to uplift our spirits and remind us of the power of unity through music.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Beharry said producing this event was \u201can incredibly fulfilling journey.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is inspiring to see the passion and dedication of the artists, whose performances embody the rich traditions of Grenada, and to witness the unwavering support of our audience, who show up year after year to keep this cultural treasure alive,\u201d Beharry added. \u201cThis year\u2019s lineup is a testament to the strength and vibrancy of calypso, featuring legendary artists and rising stars who all bring something unique to the stage.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He expressed \u201cheartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this show successful\u2014from our sponsors and partners to the dedicated team working tirelessly behind the scenes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMost importantly, I thank the community for embracing and supporting this event as an integral part of our independence celebrations,\u201d Beharry added. \u201cLet us continue to honor and preserve our culture, ensuring that the Grenada New York Independence Monarch Show remains a beacon of pride for generations to come.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Singing \u201c51 Years,\u201d Hercules Sunday night was crowned the 2025 Grenada New York Independence Monarch, maintaining his sheer dominance of Grenadian calypsos in New York for a record seventh time. \u201cGrenada, 51 years of independence, it was a different type of independence song, congratulating Grenada on 51 years of independence and issues in the community,\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5642","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-latest-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5642","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5642"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5642\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5642"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5642"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5642"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}