MORE THAN half of the semi-finalists in this year’s Junior Calypso Monarch contest are newcomers.
Of the combined 26 contestants advancing in both categories, 15 are competing for the first time.
The scale is tipped towards the eight-to-12 category with a total of nine, including the reserve.
Semi-finalists will get a chance to sharpen their skills for the July 13 showdown at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre at two tents to be held at the Princess Margaret Secondary School on June 17 and Combermere School on June 24.
Competition is expected to be keen. The DAILY NATION has been reliably informed that reigning monarch Carrie-lynn Carrie-G Grazette will not be competing because of illness. It has been confirmed that Samantha Sammi-G Greaves will be defending her title in the 13-to-18 category.
The 2012 Junior Calypso Monarch semifinalists are as follows: Eight-to-12 – Tashanna Minnie Bute (The Drums), Trevon Mighty King Callender (Stop The Discrimination), Moesha Mighty Princess Elder (Make Time For Your Children), Alisha AG Gaskin-Small (Striking and Sweeping), Jazz Jazz-Z Gittens (Cricket), Jeanie G Baby Graham (Hot Water), Jade Jade Grant (Raise Your Flag), Raanan Raanan Hackett (De New Raanan), Liana Black Beauty Ifill (Driving Mad), Winette Blossom Millington (Sound Education), Asher Dynamo Murrell (Use Wisdom), Quinn Quinn P Prescott (Ah Come To You Shango Man). The reserve is Reniqua Blossom Lyte-Griffith (Poor People)
13-to-18 – Aisha Mandisa Butcher (My Advice), Anita AC Charles (Ya Can’t Beat Me Again), Aziza Lil Az Clarke (Black Woman Rising), Rabiah Small One Clarke (Stop The Bullying), Moesha Nubian Princess Daniel (You Do Dat In Front Of We), Ashley Queen Ashe Green (Looka How Yuh Change), Ariel Arie G John (Stand Up), Kadé Young Dia Mascoll (Pray), Jason Jamoon Moore (Just Hold On), Adela Adela Payne (Guide Me), Bernice Niecee Roach (Blackberry Sheep), Xaria Mhizz-Z Spooner (Education), Tia T Girl Yarde (I Am H.I.V.). (YB)
