According to comments lighting up YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, the people of Trinidad and Tobago are united in their call for Justice in the finals of the NACC Young Kings and Calypso Monarch competitions. The National Action Cultural Committee (NACC) has heeded their call, as Anthony “Squeezy Rankin” La Fleur has secured his spot in the finals of the Young Kings Calypso Monarch Competition, set for Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at the Queen’s Park Savannah Grand Stand.
Squeezy Rankin, crowned Tuco Freestyle Monarch during Carnival 2024, credits that milestone as a pivotal moment in his career. “That experience allowed me to dig deeper into the calypso art form and connect with the culture more profoundly,” he shared. Now, with even more momentum, he is ready to bring his impactful messages to larger stages.
His hit song “Justice” has captivated a nation grappling with increasing crime rates. The heartfelt refrain—“Mama good good son, now get gun down”—has resonated deeply with citizens across all walks of life. “It’s about creating awareness and holding ourselves accountable as a society,” Squeezy said. He expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from fans, industry peers, and the media.
Adding to his success, just last week Squeezy released a fun, party-style kaiso song called “Waterman.” The track, designed to make people move, has also gained traction on social media and radio. “It’s incredible to see how both songs, with such different vibes, are being embraced by the public,” Squeezy said. “You can check them out on YouTube by simply searching for ‘Squeezy Rankin”
Squeezy is humbled by the unprecedented airplay of “Justice” across adult contemporary, cultural, and urban youth radio stations. “It’s groundbreaking for me,” he said. “That’s more than I ever expected. Thank you to all the DJs and radio stations for believing in me and the music.”
Support for “Justice” has also poured in from industry giants. Bunji Garlin described the track as “absolute fire,” on Instagram, praising Squeezy for taking a fresh, unexpected angle. Tony Chow Lin On, aka Chinese Laundry, lauded the song as a career-defining moment and even encouraged Squeezy to enter the Calypso Monarch, while the Reigning Calypso Monarch, Machel Montano, also endorsed the song on his Instagram, fueling excitement about a potential faceoff on Carnival Sunday at the Queen’s Park Savannah.
Thousands of fans on social media platforms are calling for Squeezy Rankin to light up the stage during the Calypso Monarch Semi-Finals in Skinner Park, however, a cautious La Fleur said “The people want it, and I want to give it to them. But ultimately, it’s up to the judges.”
“Until then, I’m focused on bringing my best to the Young Kings stage, in the end, as I said before, it will be up to the judges, but encourage everyone to come out and support the NACC Young Kings competition. I looking forward to seeing all of you when I walk out onto the stage.
With bookings starting to come in for Carnival events, big and small, Squeezy reflected on his journey: “This is bigger than me. It’s about the people, the culture, and the message behind the music. Thank you, Trinidad and Tobago, for this incredible journey. Let’s continue to make history together.”
