The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO) has officially released the order of performance for the 40 semi-finalists in the 2025 National Calypso Monarch competition tomorrow.
Among the favourites vying for the title this year are Yung Bredda with We Rise (position 9) and Squeezy Rankin, singing Justice (position 19).
Calypso Fiesta will take place at the iconic Skinner Park, San Fernando, where some of the nation’s top calypsonians will fight for a chance to advance to the finals to challenge the 2024 Calypso Monarch Machel Montano.
Rikki Jai (position 29) will sing Kaiso Chutne in his second attempt to challenge Montano this year. They are also facing off in the Chutney Soca Finals as well.
Guardian Media’s Caston Cupid will perform third with his song Here Again.
Semifinalists
1. Jalani Kojo (Lani K) – Lord I Repent
2. Marq Pierre – A Father’s Wealth
3. Caston Cupid – Here Again
4. Alex Gift (Tobago Chalkie) – Round About Turn
5. Rivaldo London – Cyah Get a Borough
6. Ife Alleyne (Ife) – Don’t Give In
7. Helon Francis – To Whom It May Be
8. Lystra Nurse (Lady Lystra) – I Have Hope
9. Akhenaton Lewis (Yung Bredda) – We Rise
10. Ann Marie Parks Kojo (Twiggy) – 65 and Still Relevant
11. Darwren Greenidge (Pharaoh) – America Has Spoken
12. Duane Ta’Zyah O’Connor (Ta’Zyah O’Connor) – Kaiso to D World
13. Nicole Thomas Clarke – Crown Jewels
14. Carlos James (Skatie) – Too Old for Calypso
15. Andre Nelson – Colours
16. Garth St Clair – Kaiso Vagrant
17. Marlon Lee (Bitter Honey) – Magical Mirror
18. Anastacia Richardson – Watch Yuh Clock
19. Anthony La Fleur (Squeezy Rankin) – Justice
20. Victoria Cooper-Rahim (Queen Victoria) – Ah Fraid
21. Sharon Phillips – Talk Bout Dat
22. Kerice Pascall – Tears
23. Phillip Murray (Black Sage) – T.I.T
24. Mark Eastman – Worrier
25. Shashie Nicklas Gosine (St Nick) – Politics in T&T”
26. Curlissa Charles-Mapp – The Original Superwoman
27. Nicholas Ashby (Nikko Ash) – The Last Letter
28. Roslyn Reid Hayes (Roslyn) – Sing It in Kaiso
29. Samraj Jaimungal (Rikki Jai) – Kaiso Chutney
30. Kurt Allen (The Last Bardjohn of Calypso) – Your Turn Now
31. Terri Lyons – Ask Yuh Man
32. Stacey Sobers-Abraham (Stacey Sobers) – Rhythm of a People
33. Marsha Clifton (Lady Adanna) – I Apologize
34. Karene Asche (The Calypso Princess) – A Leader
35. Hammond Bruce (Slick) – Cashless Society
36. Morel Peters (King Luta) – Comrade Roget
37. Eunice Peters – Trini Yard Sale
38. J’Leise Orr – Ostrich Society
39. Roderick Gordon (Chuck Gordon) – Look Tuh Press
40. Kadija Jeremiah – Oh Woman
Reserve: Joanne Gibson (Queen Voice) – Staying In Calypso
These semifinalists will compete for a place in the National Calypso Monarch Finals.
