http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,155015.htmlFrom Newsday: Duane O’Connor wins Young King 2012By Leiselle Maraj Wednesday, February 8 2012
The banner fashioned after the main backdrop of Ian Alleyne’s Crime Watch set was enough for the crowd to begin loudly applauding. The Calypso, “The Hunt is On”, however, was what it took to secure the 2012 Young Kings title for Duane O’Connor.
He was the first contestant to perform in the competition held on Monday, but O’Connor was ready for battle dressed in a suit and glasses similar to the controversial host of the popular local television series.
The calypsonian performing with the tent, Kaiso House, held the attention of the entire crowd, which included Alleyne, for his entire performance.
After singing his ode to Alleyne with the refrain “Is Gibbs wuk he want”, he invited the Crime Watch host to stand and be applauded. Alleyne did one better and came up on stage to acknowledge the crowd, and shake hands with the calypsonian.
Speaking with Newsday yesterday, O’Connor said he was extremely overjoyed, but yet humbled. “This is something I have wanted for almost a lifetime. I have been chasing after this monarch since 1996 when I was 16 years old. It means a lot with respect to my strength as an artiste, my commitment, and my respect for the art-form,” he said.
O’Connor said he knew the song was a strong one, and said his performance was a superb one in an excellent show. “I knew I had to come out with a bang. From the moment the banner went on stage the crowd went up. When I got on stage the crowd went up. From then, I knew that night was my night,” he said. He added he gave the performance his all, and he was the one who invited Alleyne to attend the show.
“I wanted him to be a part of the act, but he loves the song,” he said. O’Connor is one of the semi-finalists in the upcoming Calypso Monarch semi-finals which takes place on Saturday at Skinner’s Park.
“I know my song has all the winning ingredients. The only person to stop me from winning, is me. I have to do my best,” he said.
O’Connor and his 17 rivals filled the air with sweet kaiso on Monday at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Port-of-Spain. Placing second in the competition was Stephen Marcelle who sang “Stand Up and Be Counted”. His song was a call to action for Trinidad and Tobago, and was performed with elaborate props. The singer was dressed in a white robe and a sash done in red, white and black. Third was a Tobagonian finalist, Prince (Henson Wright), who sang “Diary of a Madman”.
Prior to the competition, Arts and Multiculturalism Minister, Winston Peters, in his feature address urged calypsonians to stay positive, focus on their goals, and enjoy the journey to the top of their profession.
He said calypsonians should not only act as musicians, but informed entrepreneurs to market the artform.
The National Action Cultural Committee, organisers of the event, also honoured singer and composer of local East Indian music, Mohip Poonwassie, and comedian and artiste, Dennis “Sprangalang” Hall.
The full results are as follows:
1st place – Duane O’Connor – The Hunt Is On
2nd place – Stephen Marcelle – Stand Up and Be Counted
3rd place – Prince (Henson Wright) – Diary of a Madman
4th place – Sekon Alves – Where Anything Goes, Everything Goes
5th place – Dillon Thomas – A Woman’s Worth
6th place – Derrick Seales – The Clash
7th place –Nigel Salickram – Blood
8th place – Dee Diamond – L.A.C.
9th place – Rondell Greaves – Hold Strain
10th place – Sheldon Nugget – It’s Not Over
11th place – Ninja – Queen Ah De Pack
12th place – Blaxx – Sound De Horn
13th place – Bro Alpha – He Take In Front
14th place – Hamidullah – From Ah Distance
