By Mario Russel
Sonia Francis, better known as Singing Sonia, the Queen of Impersonation. Eyes are on Sonia as a top favourite to win the Calypso Queen and Calypso Monarch Competition 2023 with a song entitled “Climate Change”. We all know that the world needs to be conscious of the importance of climate change and Sonia delivers the message beautifully in song.
The song was written by the late great Anthony Alexis who passed away in May 2021. Alexis was a popular news editor for the T&T Mirror, Sunday Punch, the Bomb and the Sunshine. He also wrote songs for many artists like Puff Daddy, Crazy and Len Boogsie Sharpe. The partnership between him and Len Boogsie Sharpe was successful in Phase 11 winning the Panorama Competition in 2004 “We like To Play” and 2005 (2nd) “Trini Gone Wild”. Days, before his passing, he gave Jamal Talib of Hometown Studios in New York three compositions. The last one to be recorded was “Climate Change”. He requested that Leston Paul do the arrangement and recording of the song. Leston a close friend of Alexis realised the international appeal of the song. He was excited and honoured to be part of the project. The executive producer Jamal Talib is under the label of Hometown Studios. Already, Hometown Studios have reported they are getting calls from various organisations on licensing the song.
A video was done by Errol Fabien and can be seen on YouTube
Sonia will be singing at the Calypso Revue and various competitions.
Singing Sonia was chosen as the vocalist because of her clean, clear and outstanding vocals. Her exotic look and marvellous personality made her the favourite choice. Sonia’s calypso career started in 1981 when she entered St Dominic, RC School competition placing first with a composition written by George Martin. That same year, She also entered the Junior Calypso Monarch and placed second.
She started singing at various calypso tents, winning the National Calypso Queen competition in 1992 with a song written by herself and Mighty Shadow called Professional Advice. During her performance, she impersonated shadow with a stunning half-black and half-white outfit. The white side represented her and the black side represented Shadow.
On several occasions, Sonia was a finalist in the Young Kings, Dimanche Gras, Calypso Queen and Soca Monarch. In 2020 she sang a song entitled “Welcome to Chinatown”. Dressed in authentic Chinese wear she impersonated a Chinese dancer. The song was about the dispute between Charlotte Street vendors and their environs. During the song, she argued with the mayor that there were a lot of heroes whom Chinatown could have been named after. Overseas, She sang in several calypso tents including Brooklyn’s Kaiso House. She also performed in other States as well as Miami and Canada. She placed second in the Queen of the World competition in Antigua and Grenada.
She is well known for her impersonation of many artists. She has impersonated the Shadow, Stalin, Iwer George, Super Blue and Gypsy to name a few. Because of this, she is known as the Queen of Impersonation.
With such a powerful song and strong backing, we all look forward to Singing Sonia being a winner on Dimanche Gras night.
