Ten participants including the reigning King Fish “the Mega Boss” took the Bada Bing alleged bribery investigation as their topic for the 2013 NAGICO Calypso Finals held Sunday night at the Festival Village. The idea seemed a bit too monotonous and it appeared as though calypsonians did not look very hard for more pressing issues that are affecting the community or the small man to use as inspiration to send their messages across to the persons they elected to office.
Roxxy (Roxanne Webster) hit home with her second song when she challenged the judges and those involved in the Calypso Finals to be fair when judging and to give the youths and upcoming singers a chance to move up the ladder. Roxxy brought on stage a number of youths to depict how much the youths of the island are left behind while winners are selected based on who they know or what connections they may have with the judges or those in charge of the show.
The ten participants including the reigning King who was defending his title all jumped on the Bada Bing scandal in one way or another. King Beau Beau depicted what was shown on tape involving Member of Parliament Patrick Illidge (Willy Bounce) when he brought a painted white man on stage on a desk with his laptop and gave the now embattled MP a number of fake hundred dollar bills. Even though King Beau placed a lot of effort in depicting corruption, he did not score enough to be one of the winners. He said Patrick Illidge (Willy Bounce) is his friend but he was there to tell the truth. Beau Beau said even though the Bada Bing recordings were done since 2012 it was kept in the dark just in time for carnival so he could sing about it since the I-3 Member of Parliament took the stage last year when he sang his song and vowed to make a change.
Another Member of Parliament that was mimicked Sunday night was MP Romain Laville who is accused of threatening MP Jules James with a gun. A strange performance during the 2013 Calypso Finals were a number of Police Officers (mostly Bavpolers) were used by the calypsonians to get their messages across. These officers were fully dressed in their uniforms.
At the end of the show which lasted until 3am, supporters and onlookers were judging among themselves as they waited for the judges’ decision. It was clear that Roxxy’s message created a stir among the crowd. Some people said she made their blood boil as she was singing. Her words were clear and the message was based on what has been taking place on St. Maarten for years. Among those that were discussing were veteran singers and culture icons who said that if the judges cheat or crowned someone else as the champion Sunday night it would show favoritism.
Just before 4am the judges delivered their scores and the thoughts of crowd became a reality when Roxxy was declared first runner up. The judges awarded Roxxy with 820 points for her overall performance. She was awarded with a check of $3,500 from the main sponsor NAGICO Insurances and a trophy. The Mighty Brat came in second with 807 points, he received a check of $1,500 and a trophy.
