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Rumour has it that Lady Spice might not be so comfortable with one of her songs.
There is hardly a year, scratch that, there has never been a year when carnival or calypso has been without controversy or rancor. In fact some argue, that those events were borne out of controversial and bitter circumstances, and in their present form are simply carrying on with tradition.
Somehow, some way too, in its more than twenty year old existence, the STAR has not just reported on many of the Carnival controversies, but has been used as target practice by several calypsonians as well.
Back in 1993, policeman turned Calypsonian, now pan man, Zorro, labeled STAR publisher Rick Wayne as a C.I.A in one of his songs which earned him a place at the national calypso monarch finals.
Then in 2000 the STAR was in Calypso news again, this time for an article entitled “Woman Power” which sought to highlight the strides of women in Calypso that year, among them Cheryl,
Lady Lyn, Spice and Mary G, who were all whipping the men to a pulp.
In the STAR article, it was also noted that three of the ladies who had made it to the finals, were not happy with the results, smelling something foul about the association of Spice’s writer and the judges. During the semi-finals, Spice had come in second ahead of the other three.
According to the STAR, “some persons were quite disturbed that “Lord Help Me”, the calypso association’s main man, also happens to be the writer of Lady Spice’s song. And if that were not enough to make a lady spit, they say “Lord Help Me” had almost everything to do with choosing the judges for the contest.”
Later, Lord Help Me would say that he had nothing to do with the selection of judges, but it was done at the discretion of an appointed chief judge, or words to that effect.
The day the particular STAR issue hit newsstands; Lady Lyn was heard on one of the morning calypso shows saying that she was upset with her picture on the newspaper without Lady Spice. She added that she was “not in any ro-ro.” Rick Wayne was quick to call the said program and fire back saying; “no where in the world newspaper publishers are told what pictures to publish.”
That year, Martina Francis aka “Lady Spice” went on to win the Calypso monarch title, becoming the first woman to wear a Calypso crown in Saint Lucia. Her two songs, “This Woman Vex” and “Can’t Find A Man” did the trick, with results that were overwhelmingly popular that year.
This year, both Lady Spice and the STAR, um well the Star publisher for now, are back on the controversial pages, of the 2009 Carnival season. Spice, who reportedly flew in from Canada two weeks ago, had informed us last year that she was about to retire and was giving her life to God. She sounded serious at the time and we had no reason to doubt her. However with her Calypso home Soca Village shutting its doors, at least for this year, Spice’s calling was to return to Calypso under a new umbrella, this time the Take over tent, with whom she made her debut On Wednesday June 10th. And what a debut it was. The Calypsonian earned herself four encores for the song “Don’t blame me,” a song in which she launched a scathing attack on the Stephenson King administration.
However, since then some who are close to Spice tell us that she is not too comfortable with the song. Could it have something to do with her rumoured once “cushy, cushy” relationship with the present Prime Minister who in return, reportedly has more than just a sweet tooth for Spice? The song which was written by Lord Help Me is embroiled in controversy due to its stinging lyrics and has since been banned from the airwaves of State owned Radio Saint Lucia. In a statement from RSL it is noted that “The decision not to air “Don’t Blame Me” by Lady Spice was done collectively by members of the management team.” It went on to say that decisions like these are taken frequently and include all types of music not just Calypso.
At a time when political controversies seem to be dominating the media and watering holes, the anticipation for great social and political songs was very high. And while so far many Calypso fans say they are somewhat disappointed, in the tents, there are a few political songs grabbing much attention. Among them, Dean Robert’s “Just Go,” another song which is critical of the present government, with lines like “we cyar wait for tomorrow it’s time to go.” The song has been receiving encores each night and is also one on the “do not play” list of RSL. Management has cited lines in the song like “criminals in Cabinet” as reasons for the ban.
On Wednesday night during Ambassadors Calypso tent’s third show for the season, which was a tribute to Pelay, Dean Roberts was at his best doing the song. The show was one of the better tent showing’s so far for the season and once again politics ruled, particularly anti UWP politics, with a few dashes of Mr Wayne for good measure. Even Bingo jumped on the band-wagon with a song entitled “Investigate.” In the song he offered the Ramsahoye Commissioner several other things to investigate about the administration, including the “deal” which gave the
“Star-boy” one hundred percent concessions. Then there was Pep, doing “Get off” a song in which he sings in the first person as the Prime Minister, “I eh bending for no man again.” Pep sang about all of the persons Mr Prime Minister would no longer bend for including “Bruce Tucker” and Wayne. It was another song receiving encores.
Another hit on the night came from Morgie with his crafty “Tiwe’ Chou” a play on words on the Taiwanese ambassador’s name and a Creole phrase.
Whilst the season has been to a slow start, a period Pelay described as “writer’s cramp,”—with new songs and new controversies, things may
just peak the interests of fans and ours as well. Of course this will mean more fodder for our carnival coverage where we simply try to bring you the news
and seek to bring the truth to light. And hey, making the news in the process
sometimes cannot be such a bad thing.
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It is really commendable the way calypso has afforded Lady Spice an opportunity to improve herself. Anyone remembers the young lady who sang “rats” some years ago? I doubt that many will, since Lady Spice bears no resemblance at all to that young woman of years ago.
She has matured into a very respectable woman.Just look at her in the photo above! All the best to you in the calypso arena this year , Lady Spice!!
They could ban all the calypso they want, we all know the truth, there is nothing new in the songs, which we do not know. They only remain 2 1/2 yrs. to enjoy the degrading of St Lucia.
You look cute Lady Spice!!
Do not worry we will BAN them in 2.5 years.
I love the ban…how you so sure they have only 2 1/ years left in office? It may suprise you that SLP may not be the only party in the race. SLP better be on its toes because I’ve been hearing of an under ground effort some are calling the SURPRISE FACTOR.
All those that laugh and smile with Kenny and King don’t mean they will vote for them. Even the calypsoians means out on this one.
For sure uwp will NEVER win the other election in St Lucia, so they only remain 2.5 yrs. Any new party that enter the race now will only cause slp to win easier, because they will only take the digruntle uwp votes, and not the slp votes.. You must remember the time when there was a three way race in Micoud South, that caused slp to win the sit.
What hay are you smoking. Seat at your computer and believe that everyone who oppose the two party system are disgruntle uwp supporters and voters. As the contributor before you indicated: If I were the SLP I would “be on my toes.”
There’s lots of food for thought in that one single line.
Judith what you there talking about. You eh hear what spice have to say in her new song. SLP darn win already. All we have to do is talk papishow for the next 2 1/2 years and watch them flambeaus prepare for their defeat. One by one we beating them with T-Croix. SLP win already what you’ll killing yourself for. We already form the government. As for me all I doing is drinking my little rum and chilling out because we don’t have to work hard to win.
are we talking kaiso or politics as usual
how much of the tax payers money is PM King hidding, knowing the voter is saying he will be gone in 2.5. the voters is to blame for this; putting so call papa John in power knowing full well the guy was on his last leg; so that’s what they get.
Its is a amazing that they are not banning songs on stations with lyric like whine pon de corky like this that the youth listen to, but now it is the calypso season and we are hearing the social issues being sung about, the song is banned. The lyrics in her song are things we are all aware of. The same issues was printed in news papers and spoken about on talk shows. What? Is it because it is in a song, it is more offensive or is because songs live on longer than news paper aticles or talk show topics of the night that have lady spice song getting the axe on the air wave.
Time for the SLP to stop this nonesense of blaming the voters of St Lucia. It’s just silly and comes accross as arrogant. The SLP lost the elections and that’s all there was to it. Right or wrong the will of the people should be respected at all times.
There is no one party that is entittled to a monopoly on government in St Lucia. Let us for once learn to respect the rights of the people of St Lucia to choose. Let us not curse them out and yet expect to forcible get their votes in the next elections.
Mortly, People should respect the voters right , if they made a good choise, but i agree with them 100% if they are angry for changing a government which was working, and putiing one that is worse. What you talking about “get their votes in the next election” all the people who voted are not blind. I doubt many people with any sence will vote for the uwp again, after this performance.
Go spicey go, ban or not their days are numbered.
they must face the truth.
Does this mean chastising the people of St Lucia like children? Any person or organization with the political smarts would never opt for such childish reaction. Chances are it may backfire; leaving thousands of would be voters with the question of which way forward.
Before we engage in such childish behavior the consequences must be well thought out. You don’t beat a child because he or she refuses to drink milk. Even if you claim it’s good for them.
Will really rock the boat with this one! You know what I cannot wait for that bread of St Lucia politicians and senior citizens to fall off the face of this earth. They are really leading the country astray those on both sides. I challenge these guys to just keep their mouths shut about color issues for a week and focus on putting an economic plan in place to the island which both parties can follow and use as guidelines for the country’s development. They talk about oh we best equip to manage the country. I figure it is a continuous battle to see who could keep St. Lucian’s most ignorant and stay in power the longest. When all these politicians are focused on is who could milk the most and when next they will get to milk. We all are just fighting against each other while they line their pocket. We are wondering how Castries kids going around killing people. But by the way, WHO IS SPICE a radio station cannot ban her song. Ok Lucians love RSL so much. Where is the financial support RSL extended to it so that our taxes could be profitable? We invest our taxes in it but refuse to advertise our businesses with them. But a Stupid song with just a party slogan in it we are prepared to cry foul when the same governments invest a million in carnival. St. Lucian’s have a difficulty thinking independently and I will say it the majority of you’ll are a bunch of meretricious hacks following colors while our state falls into poverty. It is just a matter of time before we realize that politics will kill this country and our moral obligation is not to the politicians but to the future generations. But WHO IS SPICE her song cannot be banned. When St. Lucia have a bunch of corrupt police and custom officers that milk the country and while we think red and yellow. You’ll really believe that the young don’t know maybe they are just waiting for the ignorant bread to die off by means of old age. Try winning the crown and stop crying foul when the government take our money…
I am ashamed of you to say “WHO IS SPICE” how can you low rate a human being like that, all human beings are created equal under GOD. It is no body fault that RSL cannot compete with the other stations for advertisement. Instead of banning songs to protect their political jobs, they should concentrate on improving the station.
If a song is libelous or laced with profanity I strongly support the banning of such a song.
If the problem is that the song is too critical of the government or the Prime Minister or any government minister that should never be a reason to ban the song from being played on the PEPOLE OWNED radio station.
This is nothing but censorship and in a country where the freedom of speech is guaranteed under the bill of rights that is unacceptable. The people of St. Lucia should never let that go unchallenged irrespective of political stripe or tee shirt color.
I hope that the other private owned stations are playing the hell out the song(s).
It is high time that he people of St. Lucia stand together as one people on an issue. This one qualifies for such a treatment.
If we give them an inch they will take a foot. This is nothing but a tyrannical and despotic abuse of power.
hey motley,
i know you very well and i must say im not surprised that you are so disgruntled that your government isnt working and that your vote caused so many Lucians the prosperity they were enjying when Kenny was PM.
FURTHERMORE it is a fact and everyone with a sensible mind can see that a mistake was made on December 11,2006
Motley dont blame me,dont blame me I voted for Labour party
Spice song is so good, she top the semi finalist. That is why i took offense to the person who ask who is Spice? I want to tell them she is a very, very good singer.
I am quite thwarted to hear that RSL barred five of the hottest 2knine calypsos. What is the problem with the people in this country? What is calypso but this? What ignites the flame than to let fans know of the current happenings in the country, whether it be politics, religious or whatever the matter? Let’s remember Dr. Kenny Anthony’s response as PM in 2004;
“Of course, I am aware that once you become a politician, you grant the licence for every budding and established calypsonian to sing about you. After all, where would calypsonians be without politicians? Calypsonians need politicians.”
What’s the point of having the songs banned? Can somebody answer me?
oh my, i wish i could just post Kenny’s address on this site concerning calypso. by then, i would be able to get an answer for the questions above.
here is another part of Kenny’ s Speech
“Sometimes, calypsoes say what many others want to say, but cannot, or are afraid to. And, don’t think for one moment that calypsoes only speak for the general public. Sometimes, calypsonians are able to say what public figures, and even politicians, want to say, but cannot.”
Why did RSL banned the calypso songs? anyone who is interested, please read Kenny’s speech on http://www.pm.gov.lc/former_prime_ministers/kenny_d_anthony/conversations/2004/conversation_july_19_2004.htm
and keep in mind, that he said all of this while governing the country.