On July 5, Chanique Bailey, a newcomer in the calypso arena, not only lifted the Calypso Monarch Crown at Independence Park in Kingstown during the grand finale of the Vincy Mas Calypso Competition, but she also lifted up the Brooklyn-based Dynamite Calypso Tent.<\/p>\n
Singing \u201cLift Me Up,\u201d Bailey \u2014 who in June also entered the preliminary judging of the Dynamite Calypso Tent in Brooklyn for the very first time \u2014 became the first calypsonian from the only Vincentian calypso tent in North America to wear the prestigious crown.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Bailey defeated several former monarchs and veteran calypsonians on her way to winning the title in her native land, including defending monarch Raeon \u201cMadzart\u201d Primus.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Robert \u201cPatches\u201d Knights took the second spot with \u201cBull Wood\u201d; Shaunelle McKenzie placed third with \u201cAt We Door Step;\u201d and Lorna \u201cFya Empress\u201d was adjudged fourth with \u201cSearch.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The other contenders comprised Cecile \u201cLil Bit\u201d King; Grantly \u201cIpa\u201d Constance; Kemmy Christopher; Kenley \u201cLyrical Melody\u201d Baptiste; Kenneth \u201cVibrating Scakes\u201d Alleyne; Shena Collis; and Utamo \u201cBongo Prime\u201d Rose.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Christopher, a former Junior Calypso Monarch in Vincy Mas, who rendered \u201cHope,\u201d was the other contender from the Dynamite Calypso Tent.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYes, this was my first time competing in any calypso competition,\u201d Bailey, who co-owns the Brooklyn-based Magma Band, a Caribbean Fusion Band, with her Vincentian-born husband Adrian Bailey, a renowned musical arranger and producer, told The Vincentian<\/span>\u00a0on Monday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI entered the calypso competition because I always had an interest in the art form, and my mom (Luenda Richards) would always tell me to enter,\u201d added Bailey, the lead singer with the Magma Band. \u201cShe herself tried at it and was discouraged. So, she would always remind me of my promise to start.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWell, I was supposed to enter last year, but she was placed in hospice in March,\u201d Bailey continued. \u201cWe stayed home and made it our top priority to ensure she was comfortable and spent her last months with us every day at her bedside. So, competing wasn’t possible.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Her mother, who hailed from Troumaca in North Leeward, died in June 2025.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Bailey said she was confident in advancing in this year\u2019s calypso competition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYes, I expected to get as far as I did,\u201d she said. \u201cI know my talent and capabilities. And, after listening to and studying my competitors, I knew I was going to place in the top two.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFor the past 25 years, my country has carried a lot,\u201d Bailey added. \u201cLooking back on when we were liberated in November (in general elections), I noted the final speech\/plea given to SVG (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) about lifting him (former Prime Minister Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves) up for another term. I found it rather offensive and humorous, considering the many years we have been begging and pleading to no avail for a better way of life in this country.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSince calypso is the voice that represents the soul of the people, I decided to write a song titled \u2018Lift Me Up,\u2019\u201d Bailey continued. \u201cWell, it was actually called \u2018Lift Me Up Again,\u2019 but, as the song caught on, people started calling it \u2018Lift Me Up\u2019; so, I dropped \u2018Again\u2019 for the people’s choice.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n She said \u201cLift Me Up\u201d is a song about \u201creflection, accountability and hope.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Bailey said while it highlights the \u201cchallenges\u201d of the past 25 years, \u201cits ultimate message is unity and moving forward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to remind people to learn from our history but not let it define our future,\u201d she said. \u201cTogether, we can build a stronger, brighter St. Vincent and the Grenadines.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Bailey said her favorite lyrics, besides the chorus, are in the fifth\/closing verse: \u201cCampaign trucks with brand new paint\/ suddenly humble sounding saint\/After years of yo can’t complain; Now is my people\u2019 ease my pain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFrom platform high to Heritage Square\/Shaking hands everywhere\/But with memory long and due despair\/It starts to click and we start to pray\/When counting start and numbers call\/ Silence heavy overall\/25 years meet curtain call\/The people lift him after all,\u201d she added.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In the chorus, Bailey sings: \u201cLift me up\/ lift me strong\/Say I right, though I wrong\/25 years is ah long, long song\/How the people change the tune around\/Lift me up\/Ah beg yo, please\/But ballot box plant new seed\/Thank God we turn the socialist page\/Democracy step pon center stage.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Bailey said she joked that she should have made a T-shirt that says, \u201c\u2019Well Deserved\u2019 because that’s the phrase I’ve heard the most since winning.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cEverywhere I go, strangers and fellow Vincentians stop to congratulate me,\u201d she said. \u201cEven supporters of other finalists have reached out to say they believed the results were fair and wished me well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe love and encouragement have been overwhelming, and I’m truly grateful,\u201d Bailey added. \u201cIt’s also refreshing to see a younger generation of calypsonians being embraced.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI hope this encourages others thinking about entering the competition to believe that their talent, hard work and message will be given a fair opportunity to shine,\u201d she continued.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Bailey said winning the SVG Calypso Monarch title is \u201ctruly humbling and still feels a little surreal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAs a first-time competitor, I entered with the goal of telling a meaningful story and giving the audience my very best,\u201d she said. \u201cTo have that effort recognized in such a significant way is an incredible honor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis crown represents months of hard work, sacrifice and teamwork, and I’m deeply grateful to everyone who believed in me,\u201d she added. \u201cMost of all, I’m proud to dedicate this victory to my mom, my biggest supporter, who I know would have been celebrating this moment with me.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis was truly a team effort,\u201d Bailey continued. \u201cI was blessed with an incredible support system: My husband, who produced the song and supported me throughout the journey; the Police Band and added musicians, backing vocalists, actors and everyone who helped bring my vision to life on stage.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n She said her family, friends and fans also played \u201ca huge role by encouraging me every step of the way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhile I stood on stage alone, this victory belongs to everyone who believed in me and contributed to making this dream a reality,\u201d Bailey said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n She said her husband, who is also the producer and musical engineer at the Brooklyn-based Sky Studios, arranged the music for \u201cLift Me Up,\u201d earning him a second Calypso Monarch Title.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The first was in 2006 with Constance\u2019s \u201cI\u2019m not a Fool\u201d and \u201cCan\u2019t Treat Calypso Like That\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n Bailey also said her mother would have been \u201cincredibly proud\u201d in her calypso win.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMy mom was my biggest supporter and believed in me long before many others did,\u201d she said. \u201cShe always encouraged me to use my gift, and that’s why I dedicated this journey and this victory to her.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAlthough she’s no longer here physically, I felt her presence with me every step of the way,\u201d Bailey added. \u201cWinning this crown is bittersweet, but I believe she’s smiling, celebrating, and beaming with pride. I love you, mama.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n In addition, Bailey said winning the Calypso Monarch title under the Dynamite Calypso Tent is \u201ca proud moment, not just for me, but for the entire organization.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFor us, this reinforces that no matter where Vincentians live, at home or throughout the Diaspora, we all share the same love and responsibility for preserving and promoting our culture,\u201d she said. \u201cI hope this victory encourages more Vincentians abroad to participate, knowing they can make meaningful contributions to our cultural landscape.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFor Dynamite, I believe this is a testament to the passion, commitment and high standard the organization continues to bring to the art form,\u201d she added. \u201cI also hope it inspires a new generation of calypsonians to see Dynamite as a place where talent can grow, thrive and compete at the highest level.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Bailey said while winning the Vincy Calypso Monarch title is \u201can incredible honor,\u201d she also recognized that it comes with \u201ca responsibility.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOver the next year, I want to represent the crown with humility, professionalism and purpose while continuing to promote and celebrate the art of calypso,\u201d she said. \u201cI also look forward to connecting with communities, inspiring young artists and using this platform to make a positive impact.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAll the while, I’ll begin preparing to defend my title with the same passion, dedication and hard work that earned me this crown,\u201d Bailey added.<\/span><\/p>\n As for the Magma Band Family and fans, she said they have been \u201coverjoyed\u201d with her triumph.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThey have supported me from the very beginning, celebrated every milestone with me, and believed in this journey just as much as I did,\u201d Bailey said. \u201cWinning this title feels like a victory for all of us, because they understand the countless hours of preparation, hard work and sacrifice that went into it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTheir excitement, pride and unwavering support have made this moment even more special,\u201d she added.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI sincerely thank everyone who supported me throughout this journey: my family, friends, team, fellow musicians and every person who believed in me,\u201d Bailey continued. \u201cI’m especially grateful to the fans who embraced \u2018Lift Me Up\u2019 and its message.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt has been an honor to represent our people through calypso, and I look forward to serving as your Calypso Monarch with humility, pride and dedication,\u201d she said. \u201cThank you for this incredible privilege, and may we continue to celebrate and preserve this beautiful art form for generations to come.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On July 5, Chanique Bailey, a newcomer in the calypso arena, not only lifted the Calypso Monarch Crown at Independence Park in Kingstown during the grand finale of the Vincy Mas Calypso Competition, but she also lifted up the Brooklyn-based Dynamite Calypso Tent. Singing \u201cLift Me Up,\u201d Bailey \u2014 who in June also entered the […]<\/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-5978","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-latest-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5978","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=5978"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5978\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5978"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5978"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5978"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}