As a friend and former parliamentary colleague of Mr Winston “Gypsy” Peters, I wholeheartedly congratulate him on his ninth victory as the National Xtempo Monarch of T&T, and I wish him similar success in the finals of the National Calypso Monarch competition.
Mr Peters, now a national icon, has devoted his life to the development of the artform and culture of calypso and extempo, having spent over 30 years in the industry, and was awarded the Chaconia Silver medal in 1988 for his contribution.
Gypsy’s re-emergence in this year’s competition also marks a return to contemporary style of calypso, as most of the artists of his generation have since moved on. As such, it is wonderful to see him welcomed back to the industry as a reminder of the “golden days” of calypso and extempo, and as a former monarch who can pass on the torch to the emerging generation.
As T&T attempts to define itself on a global scale, the development of our unique culture and musical contributions can create opportunities for recognition through the association of our national brand. Artists such as Gypsy should therefore be recognised and cherished for their contributions to the music industry and our culture.
To this end, I wish Gypsy continued success in his career as he continues to develop and elevate the artistry and craft of our national musical artform.
Dr Fuad Khan
Via email