All will agree that the calypso monarch show was successful and that the standard for this years competition was high. In addition, no complaints have been expressed by fans or calypsonians with respect to the band ( The Legends Band) and the quality of music, the band members and musicians, provided to the calypsonians on competition night. These were the aspects of the show that was known to most. But what about the things that were behind the scenes?
There is much talk about the contract that calypsonians all had to sign before taking part in the semi-finals and the final show.
Calypsonians were made to sign contracts to participate in previous calypso shows. This is because of politics and the lack of professionalism on the part of some calypsonians.
No one should be opposed to signing a contract that is intended to make the production of the carnival shows more successful. However, a contract that restricts and limits the art-form is just not acceptable.
In years past the carnival committee through some of its sub-committee members responsible for the Senior Calypso Show wanted calypsonians to sign contracts the night of the show that would have, in essence, prevented them from singing the songs that got them to the finals.
The required contracts affected a few. The contract sought to eliminate calypsonians from singing against the government. This was unheard of prior to 1995.
Some over zealous, retired calypsonians who cannot find anything to sing on since 1995, but had lots to sing on during the period 1980-1994 suddenly realized that they and other such influentials in the political arena did not want present calypsonians singing the truth about the injustice and corruption of the present government.
Calypso, when well written and composed, is all about social commentary. If you are prevented from doing this then it is no longer a calypso. Calypsonians must enjoy freedom of speech. We cannot silence some calypsonians because we do not like what we hear coming from an opposing side. To do otherwise is communism or dictatorship.
Not surprisingly, the above was related to the politics of the Federation but there was some subtle telecommunications politics happening as well. The contract restricted calypsonians from singing on one telecommunications company.
Just imagine for a moment that calypsonians, this year were able to sing on the ills and successes of the government as they see it but could not touch one of the telecommunications giant operating in the Federation. If any of the calypsonians were so bold to break this agreement then he or she would have been faced with a hefty fine.
Sponsorship should not dictate censorship. The carnival committee should refuse money from any sponsor that would wish to censor the art-form and our culture.
Censorship seemed to be the order of the day for the calypso show finals. That, in essence, is what happened to one radio station that was of the opinion that it had rights to broadcast the calypso show based on its sponsorship agreement to the carnival committee and other factors. This issue is being ventilated in the press so there is no need for detailed discussions in this paper except to say that when engaging in business, contracts must be succinct to prevent a broadcast from being abruptly cut-off at airtime. If that happens the affected station and advertisers of the intended broadcast must be handsomely compensated.
Finally, the contracts signed by the calypsonians are in effect one-sided. The contracts protect and benefit carnival committee and its business partners. What about the calypsonians, without whom there would be no show.
There are live broadcasts of the calypso shows, on radio and television - and the Finals Show was streamed on the internet. The calypsonians songs are copyrighted. Did they collect royalties from these business ventures? Many are making hundreds of dollars from live tent performances including some radio stations yet the calypsonians are not benefiting financially from these ventures. Maybe it is time that calypsonians unite if only for their financial security.
There are lots more that went on behind the scenes and as the stories are confirmed they will be brought to the public because this paper believes that the people have a right to know at what cost carnival was a success and who really benefited.
