Jeffers takes Young King crown with 'Climate Change'

Wayne Bowman wayne.bowman@trinidadexpress.com
Wednesday, February 3rd 2010

RUNNER-UP: Second placed Sekon Alves performs "More Than A Panside" during the Calypso Young King finals on Monday night at Pier 1, Chaguaramas. -Photo: MICHEAL BRUCE

Kwesi Jeffers is the 2010 Calypso Young King having won the title with an impassioned performance of ’Climate Change’, composed by Christophe Grant.

With video footage of natural disasters such as hurricanes, tsunamis, volcanoes, floods and earthquakes taking place around the world projected on a large screen at the side of the stage, Jeffers sang that mankind had brought the earth to the brink of destruction.

Incorporating theatrics into his performance, Jeffers had members of the audience on Monday at Pier 1, Chaguaramas, shouting his name and screaming over the very frightening images flashing on the screen while he sang.

Near the end of his performance, Jeffers said he was not there just to perform, but warn people that Trinidad will face natural disasters and it may be too late to reverse what has been done to the earth.

The majority of calypsoes performed by the 18 competitors addressed issues such as the environment, people’s inhumanity towards each other and the relationship between man and God or the lack thereof.

Before the competition kicked off two cultural elders were honoured by the National Action Cultural Committee, which produces the competition.

Panman Hugh Borde was presented with a plaque and cheque for $5,000 in recognition of his lifelong work developing the steelband movement. Borde’s son, Emile performed on double seconds in tribute to him during the presentation. Also honoured was dancer/choreographer Rana Mohip for his contribution to Indian dance. He also received $5,000 and a plaque from the NACC.

The top 10 places

with their songs are:

1st - Kwesi Jeffers - ’Climate Change’
2nd - Sekon Alves - ’More Than a Panside’
3rd - Guidance - ’My Wounded Nation’
4th - Sheldon Nugget - ’Special People’
5th - Tobago Chalkie - ’Cocoa Melee’
6th - Duane O’Connor - ’National Pride’
7th - Ninja - ’My Company’
8th - Hamidullah - ’It Started With We’
9th - Revealer - ’Integrity’
10th - Derrick Seales - ’God Bless De Caribbean’
10th - Walter Taylor - ’Signs’.

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161590718