Calypsonians on July 28, 2012

Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News

Calypsonians on July 28, 2012

Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News

Reigning three-time Calypso Monarch, Luther B may not return to the stage next year as he intends to place major focus on taking the lead to provide the much needed push for the improvement of the calypso art form.

Luther B, who retained the monarchy for a third consecutive year with his song 'Legacy' following a competition on Saturday, July 28, said calypsonians must first form an association and then take their ideas on how to improve the art form to Government.

"First of all, I think that we need to organize ourselves as calypsonians. So we must first set the stage by forming an association that would represent our concerns going forward. I mean when we get that set up, then we can approach the Government from a unified front and put forward some different initiatives that we would like to see put in place," he told BVI Platinum News.

Luther B, whose real name is Luther Butler, said one of the things that should be done is taking the art form to the schools, lamenting that enough is not being done to showcase calypso to the youth.

"Like for example, we don't have any youth coming into the game and we would like to go into the schools, different after school programmes to try to teach the youth about calypso and see the next Luther B, Oginga, King Henry and Shereen. We need to see that progression you know, so that is what we want to work for," he stated.

While noting that next year is a long time away, he said he is still contemplating if he will sing again. When asked what will be the driving force behind such a decision when the time comes, he said it all depends on what he gets achieved with the association.

"It will depend a lot on the association because I want to try and spend some time working on the association and you know my daily job is hard work as it is, so if I am able to make that balance I will be back."

He said he has no problem taking the lead.

"I am expected to take the lead, I am the king...And I have no problem being the front man just to get it up for a year or so and then moving forward, so hand over to someone else who can take over because calypso is important," Luther B stated.

Luther B, who also won Best Lyrics, Best Arrangement and Best Performance, was presented with $3000.00 cash and the key to a new car as part of the winner's package.

First runner-up was Sistah Joyce with her 'Talk Is Cheap'; Second runner-up was King Paido with 'Men At Work'; and third runner-up was Mighty Cloud with 'Stand Up For Your Nation'.

There was no elimination show this year, which saw 17 calypsonians taking to the stage to perform one song.

First runner-up received a prize of $4,000, second runner-up $3,000 and third runner-up $2,000.

The calypsonians who did not place received $500, which is not a consolation prize, but is intended to help the singers with their preparations for the show.