André Jebbinson, Staff Reporter
Stedson 'Red Plastic Bag' Wiltshire in performance. - Photos courtesy of The nation
Christ Church, Barbados:
If there were any doubts that Stedson 'Red Plastic Bag' Wiltshire would win the 'Pic-O-De-Crop' finals for the eighth time on Friday, they were all laid to rest.
Many thought that David 'Kid Site' Piggot would take the crown but in the end, Wiltshire prevailed and Piggot had to settle for third place.
The top prizeincluded US$5,000 and a brand new Toyota Yaris.
The patrons were quietly seated in the Barbados National Stadium located in St. Michaels. With stands and part of the inner field almost full to capacity, it seemed the entire island had come to witness the return of Red Plastic Bag.
That was the case with those who got to the venue early; others had to overcome a huge bumper-to-bumper convoy leading to the stadium.
The entire night's presentation had the effect of a musical. As soon as the clock hit 8 o'clock, the band was in place and ready to begin.
What was initially thought to be a two-man race, expanded to include a third man, Anderson 'Blood' Armstrong, who placed second.
Though the results predictions were in favour of Red Plastic Bag, after Blood's first performance, side comments revealed that it was possible he could have upset the eight-time champ.
Confidence
Fans of Stedson 'Red Plastic Bag' Wilshire cheer on the 'Pic-O-De-Crop' defending champion in St. Michaels, Barbados, on Friday.
Still, RPB fans - and they were many - never lost confidence or the vibes. Most of them, bearing red plastic bags, were too excited and could not remain in their seats.
Each of the 10 contestants performed two original songs. Adrian Clarke was the first one up and got the evening off to a great start. For his first act, Clarke's costume captured the attention of the audience as he arrived in the 'New World'.
Perhaps with much relief, RRB and then Sheldon Hope followed Clarke. Hope first sang. Man's Love Song and The Call on his second attempt.
Up next was T.C. who is mostly known for not getting favourable results from the judges. Her mission in the competition was clear as she lashed out at the judges in previous competitions for not granting her a win. She also spent a considerable amount of time singing about herself. Once again, her feisty lyrics and half naked were not able to help her much. She was placed ninth.
Smoke Burke (placed fifth with All Politician Is Friends and Catastrophe) could easily have switched positions with T.C. and nobody would have minded. It puzzled many how he was placed so highly above T.C. Some thought T.C. provoked the judges.
Blood performed in the seventh spot and commanded both of his songs. Convincingly, he sang Calypso Owes You Nothing. One line from the song says calypso owes "not even a standing ovation - you owe calypso".
At the top
Anderson 'Blood' Armstrong
With many more lyrics of the same message, it was clear he was right up there at the top. His second song was For The Children.
One thing that cannot be taken from the defending champ is his clear presentation of his message. Every single word that came from his mouth were clearly heard when he performed My Barbados and I Frighten.
Enobong was more on the spiritual side with Time For A Change and We Got To Get Back. Both songs alluded to the fact that the region is blessed but there is the need to rely more on Jesus for things to get even better.
Finally, De Announcer, Rupee's brother, compared boxing and politics in De Bell. In Wrong Decision, he spoke about was the judges' decision to place him 10th last year. He was placed six spots above his placing last year.
After six hours of the calypso sing-off, the winner was finally announced.
Comedian Mac Fignall was the emcee, while St. Lucian's Groovey Soca Monarch, TJ, was the guest artiste. The second, third and fourth-place winner received cheques for US$7,500, US$5,250, US$3,750 respectively. The other contestants received consolation prizes of not less than US$2,000 each.
Most popular event
According to Barbados' National Cultural Organisation, Crop Over, a five-week summer festival, is Barbados' most popular and colourful festival. Its origins can be traced back to the 1780's, when the island was a major sugar producer.
At the end of the sugar season, there was always a huge celebration to mark the culmination of another successful sugar cane harvest, the Crop Over celebration.
As the sugar industry in Barbados declined, so too did the Crop Over festival and in the 1940's the festival was terminated completely. However, the festival was revived in 1974 and other elements of Barbadian culture were infused to make the extravaganza that exists today ... an event that attracts thousands of people from across the globe.
Other popular events of the festival are Grand Kadooment, Cohobblopot, 'Foreday Mornin', Kiddies Kadooment and Bridgetown Market.
