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    On July 5, Chanique Bailey, a newcomer in the calypso arena, not only lifted the Calypso Monarch Crown at Independence Park in Kingstown during the grand finale of the Vincy Mas Calypso Competition, but she also lifted up the Brooklyn-based Dynamite Calypso Tent. Singing “Lift Me Up,” Bailey — who in June also entered the preliminary judging of the Dynamite Calypso Tent in Brooklyn for the very first time — became the first calypsonian from the only Vincentian calypso tent in North America to wear the prestigious crown.  Bailey defeated several former monarchs and veteran calypsonians on her way to winning the title in her native land, including defending monarch Raeon “Madzart” Primus.   Robert “Patches” Knights took the second spot with “Bull Wood”; Shaunelle McKenzie placed third with “At We Door Step;” and Lorna “Fya Empress” was adjudged fourth with “Search.” The other contenders comprised Cecile “Lil Bit” King; Grantly “Ipa” Constance; Kemmy Christopher; Kenley “Lyrical Melody” Baptiste; Kenneth “Vibrating Scakes” Alleyne; Shena Collis; and Utamo “Bongo Prime” Rose.  Christopher, a former Junior Calypso Monarch in Vincy Mas, who rendered “Hope,” was the other contender from the Dynamite Calypso Tent.   “Yes, this was my first time competing in any calypso competition,” Bailey, who co-owns the Brooklyn-based Magma Band, a Caribbean Fusion Band, with her Vincentian-born husband Adrian Bailey, a renowned musical arranger and producer, told The Vincentian on Monday.  “I entered the calypso competition because I always had an interest in the art form, and my mom (Luenda Richards) would always tell me to enter,” added Bailey, the lead singer with the Magma Band. “She herself tried at it and was discouraged. So, she would always remind me of my promise to start.  “Well, I was supposed to enter last year, but she was placed in hospice in March,” Bailey continued. “We stayed home and made it our top priority to ensure she was comfortable and spent her last months with us every day at her bedside. So, competing wasn't possible.”   Her mother, who hailed from Troumaca in North Leeward, died in June 2025.  Bailey said she was confident in advancing in this year’s calypso competition.  “Yes, I expected to get as far as I did,” she said. “I know my talent and capabilities. And, after listening to and studying my competitors, I knew I was going to place in the top two.  “For the past 25 years, my country has carried a lot,” Bailey added. “Looking back on when we were liberated in November (in general elections), I noted the final speech/plea given to SVG (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) about lifting him (former Prime Minister Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves) up for another term. I found it rather offensive and humorous, considering the many years we have been begging and pleading to no avail for a better way of life in this country.  “Since calypso is the voice that represents the soul of the people, I decided to write a song titled ‘Lift Me Up,’” Bailey continued. “Well, it was actually called ‘Lift Me Up Again,’ but, as the song caught on, people started calling it ‘Lift Me Up’; so, I dropped ‘Again’ for the people's choice.”  She said “Lift Me Up” is a song about “reflection, accountability and hope.” Bailey said while it highlights the “challenges” of the past 25 years, “its ultimate message is unity and moving forward.  “I wanted to remind people to learn from our history but not let it define our future,” she said. “Together, we can build a stronger, brighter St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”  Bailey said her favorite lyrics, besides the chorus, are in the fifth/closing verse: “Campaign trucks with brand new paint/ suddenly humble sounding saint/After years of yo can't complain; Now is my people’ ease my pain.  “From platform high to Heritage Square/Shaking hands everywhere/But with memory long and due despair/It starts to click and we start to pray/When counting start and numbers call/ Silence heavy overall/25 years meet curtain call/The people lift him after all,” she added.  In the chorus, Bailey sings: “Lift me up/ lift me strong/Say I right, though I wrong/25 years is ah long, long song/How the people change the tune around/Lift me up/Ah beg yo, please/But ballot box plant new seed/Thank God we turn the socialist page/Democracy step pon center stage.” Bailey said she joked that she should have made a T-shirt that says, “’Well Deserved’ because that's the phrase I've heard the most since winning.  “Everywhere I go, strangers and fellow Vincentians stop to congratulate me,” she said. “Even supporters of other finalists have reached out to say they believed the results were fair and wished me well.  “The love and encouragement have been overwhelming, and I'm truly grateful,” Bailey added. “It's also refreshing to see a younger generation of calypsonians being embraced.  “I hope this encourages others thinking about entering the competition to believe that their talent, hard work and message will be given a fair opportunity to shine,” she continued.  Bailey said winning the SVG Calypso Monarch title is “truly humbling and still feels a little surreal.  “As a first-time competitor, I entered with the goal of telling a meaningful story and giving the audience my very best,” she said. “To have that effort recognized in such a significant way is an incredible honor.  “This crown represents months of hard work, sacrifice and teamwork, and I'm deeply grateful to everyone who believed in me,” she added. “Most of all, I'm proud to dedicate this victory to my mom, my biggest supporter, who I know would have been celebrating this moment with me.  “This was truly a team effort,” Bailey continued. “I was blessed with an incredible support system: My husband, who produced the song and supported me throughout the journey; the Police Band and added musicians, backing vocalists, actors and everyone who helped bring my vision to life on stage.” She said her family, friends and fans also played “a huge role by encouraging me every step of the way.  “While I stood on stage alone, this victory belongs to everyone who believed in me and contributed to making this dream a reality,” Bailey said.  She said her husband, who is also the producer and musical engineer at the Brooklyn-based Sky Studios, arranged the music for “Lift Me Up,” earning him a second Calypso Monarch Title.   The first was in 2006 with Constance’s “I’m not a Fool” and “Can’t Treat Calypso Like That”. Bailey also said her mother would have been “incredibly proud” in her calypso win.  “My mom was my biggest supporter and believed in me long before many others did,” she said. “She always encouraged me to use my gift, and that's why I dedicated this journey and this victory to her. “Although she's no longer here physically, I felt her presence with me every step of the way,” Bailey added. “Winning this crown is bittersweet, but I believe she's smiling, celebrating, and beaming with pride. I love you, mama.” In addition, Bailey said winning the Calypso Monarch title under the Dynamite Calypso Tent is “a proud moment, not just for me, but for the entire organization.  “For us, this reinforces that no matter where Vincentians live, at home or throughout the Diaspora, we all share the same love and responsibility for preserving and promoting our culture,” she said. “I hope this victory encourages more Vincentians abroad to participate, knowing they can make meaningful contributions to our cultural landscape.  “For Dynamite, I believe this is a testament to the passion, commitment and high standard the organization continues to bring to the art form,” she added. “I also hope it inspires a new generation of calypsonians to see Dynamite as a place where talent can grow, thrive and compete at the highest level.”  Bailey said while winning the Vincy Calypso Monarch title is “an incredible honor,” she also recognized that it comes with “a responsibility.” “Over the next year, I want to represent the crown with humility, professionalism and purpose while continuing to promote and celebrate the art of calypso,” she said. “I also look forward to connecting with communities, inspiring young artists and using this platform to make a positive impact.  “All the while, I'll begin preparing to defend my title with the same passion, dedication and hard work that earned me this crown,” Bailey added. As for the Magma Band Family and fans, she said they have been “overjoyed” with her triumph.  “They have supported me from the very beginning, celebrated every milestone with me, and believed in this journey just as much as I did,” Bailey said. “Winning this title feels like a victory for all of us, because they understand the countless hours of preparation, hard work and sacrifice that went into it.  “Their excitement, pride and unwavering support have made this moment even more special,” she added.   “I sincerely thank everyone who supported me throughout this journey: my family, friends, team, fellow musicians and every person who believed in me,” Bailey continued. “I'm especially grateful to the fans who embraced ‘Lift Me Up’ and its message. “It has been an honor to represent our people through calypso, and I look forward to serving as your Calypso Monarch with humility, pride and dedication,” she said. “Thank you for this incredible privilege, and may we continue to celebrate and preserve this beautiful art form for generations to come.”
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