The Mouse is back in. J Mouse that is and this Sunday he will join ten other performers at the finals of the Power Soca Monarch at the Beasejour grounds.
Last week J Mouse, who is making his debut in the Soca arena, was caught in a controversial trap after the Saint Lucia Calypso Association deemed him too young to enter the competition. The budding performer is 17 years old.
However his management team fought back, citing the fact that J Mouse was allowed to register and move through the various stages of the competition before making it to the finals.
On Saturday July 12, the Appeals Committee having reviewed the matter was of the view that the breach “allegedly” committed by Edmunds (J Mouse) was not a breach which the Appeals Committee had jurisdiction over.
The matter was then placed back in the hands of the Calypso Association, which it said had to abide with the ratification of Edmund’s membership.
According to the committee, Edmund’s application was approved on June 4th, 2014. During that process, no cognizance was taken of the applicant’s age resulting in him being approved as a member.
In a press release issued following the hearing, the “Association” indicated that it took full responsibility for its actions and “therefore, in the interest of fairness, Claudius ‘J Mouse’ Edmund has been reinstated to the Power Soca Monarch Finals Competition.”
The chairman of the St Lucia Calypso Association, David Jordan, went on to admit that this has been an unfortunate situation and apologized to Edmund, his management team and the public for the confusion and discomfort this has created.
Attorney for Edmund, Dylan Norbert-Inglis, had this to say: “Mr. Edmund is very happy with the decision of the Calypso Association. We are cognizant of the difficulties faced by the Appeals Committee but I am satisfied with the decision on the part of the Association taking into account all of the circumstances giving rise to the situation. I feel that the result was the most fair course of action and look forward to the evening of July 20th when Mr. Edmund will vie for the title.”
On Sunday J Mouse will come up against reigning Soca Monarch Ricky T as well as Ambi, Derek Yarde, DJ HP, Ezra, Kakal, Mantius, Q-Pid, Siah.
His song “Hurt It” has become an anthem and catch-phrase of this year’s carnival season.
