By Michelle Loubon
“I feel great. My late parents (presenter Eddie Yearwood/actress/ History teacher Mairoon Ali) would have been proud.”
So said Olatunji Yearwood, at the National Action Cultural Committee’s (NACC) 34th annual Top 20 Stars of Gold Calypso of the Year Award Ceremony, held at the Central Bank Auditorium, Port of Spain last Saturday evening.
Olatunji, fondly known as Ola, won the coveted ‘Calypso Of The Year Award’, on the night, and said it was an inspiration to continue working passionately towards developing his craft.
Having graciously accepted the award, the lissome Olatunji and fellow artistes and recipients, danced and sang along to the energetic ‘Engine Room’. The complement of artistes had the energy and vibrancy of a small Jouvert band.
Even young sensation Xhadien Darius, who accompanied his mother, 2023 calypso queen Tameika Darius, demonstrated his dance moves. During the formalities, NACC chairman Embau Moheni delivered the welcome address and reminded the gathering that the calypso art form was ‘an important pillar in national development’.
Also present were National Joint Action Committee (NJAC) Servant Leader Kwasi Mutema, and 2023 recipient of the Order of The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Prof Clement Imbert and his wife Sharon.
Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO) president Ainsley King delivered the feature address and general secretary/ Klassic Ruso calypsonian Shirlaine Hendrickson delivered the invocation and chaired the proceedings. Delivering greetings and presenting awards on behalf of Culture Minister Randall Mitchell was Michael Murray. Also in attendance were several members of the diplomatic corps and veteran calypsonian Brother Valentino (Emrold) Phillip and his wife Peggy Castanada.
Musical accompaniment was provided by the Top 20 orchestra.
The 2018 Calypso Monarch, now Independent senator Helon Francis, came in for kudos for his new career move. Francis rendered the poetically beautiful ‘Mighty’. Maria Bhola proved she could titillate with a horn song with her ‘People Man’. Her rendition earned her the sole encore on the night, while Mical Teja invited everyone to step into the Hall of Fame.
Looming images of the artistes found a place of honour. There were references to the late NJAC founder and freedom fighter Makandal Daaga and TUCO president Brother Resistance (Lutalo Masimba), and his famous quip ‘By calypso our stories are told.’
Top 20 Stars of Gold Awardees
1. ‘How It Used To Be’-Stephen Marcelle
2. ‘Being Human’-Ezekiel Yorke
3. ‘Bullets Don’t Have Eyes’ -Alana Sinnette-Khan (Lady Watchman)
4. ‘Now More Than Ever’-Tameika Darius
5. ‘Hall of Fame’-Mical Teja
6. ‘Since Dr Williams’-Nicholas Lucas
7. ‘Engine Room’-Olatunji Yearwood
8. ‘Take Dem Down’-Naomi Sinnette
9. ‘De Ting Fix’-Duane Donald O’ Connor
10. ‘Carnival Is We’-Nicole Thomas
11. ‘Family Scandal’ -Crazy (Edwin Ayoung
12. ‘Oasis’-Karene Asche
13. ‘Maths Eh Mathsing’ -Chuck Gordon (Roderick Gordon)
14. ‘To You With Love’ -Kerine Williams-Figaro
15. ‘Mighty’ – Helon Francis
16. ‘Come Home’-Nailah Blackman and Skinny Fabulous (Gamal Doyle)
17. ‘Sing Hallelujah’ -Duanne Tazyah O’Connor
18. ‘People Man’-Maria Bhola
19. ‘What Yuh Need Again Trinbago’ -nakey (Heaven Charles)
20. ‘Hard Fete -Bunji Garlin (Ian Alvarez )
