Newly crowned Pic-o-De-Crop Calypso Monarch Adrian AC Clarke will leave Barbados within days to undergo spinal surgery, curtailing celebrations and early performance bookings as he begins his reign, Barbados TODAY can reveal exclusively.
His birthday next Monday will find him preparing to fly out to the US for the operation by that weekend, postponing his early performances to at least October, he said.
The four-time monarch scored 330 points to triumph over his nearest competitor – David Kid Site Piggott – by 66 points, to capture the national calypso crown at the National Botanical Gardens on Friday night.
He told Barbados TODAY: “I am thinking about doing something to celebrate during my reign, but I have not done anything yet because I am leaving the island for surgery, so I am not sure what time I will have to do anything. My birthday is the 10th of August. I am leaving a few days afterward. I have to have surgery in Cleveland.
“We are thinking of doing a celebration of sorts. No motorcade. I might just get artists from the tent [De Big Show], and any specially invited acts to come and perform, a band and put a small donation at the door because things have to be paid for. I just have to decide when and where.
“I will leave here on the 14th or 15th. Surgery is the 18th, 19th. I will be there until say the 23rd August, if not, a little longer. I have to be there for the post-op checks by the neurologist. I won’t be out for too long. I am getting two discs removed from my neck. The pressing thing now is my neck, because the disc…one started to calcify and it is actually pressing into my spinal cord. It may not seem serious, but it is having serious effects.”
The monarch, who won with a bouncy and catchy medium tempo rendition of Legends From the Grave, in an homage to iconic Trinidadian calypsonian Shadow and other legends of the artform, said his recovery should be quick enough to allow him to resume singing again by October, “if I am lucky”.
He added: “The good thing about having the surgery up there is that they will be monitoring my vocal chords and they will be monitoring my spine at the same time. I know that I have to travel from October. People are asking me to perform as far as Africa. Even before I won the calypso competition, I was being asked. People just heard the song and loved it.”
From the crowd response and some uncomplimentary comments heard emanating from among patrons, the judges’ decision to put Kid Site in second place with Talk Like Mia, was not a popular one.
The feedback for third placed Ian i-Web Webster [236 points] appeared much better. His Colours in B was a crowd favourite from early on.
In the aftermath of the results, some fans were heard declaring
that Dequon Quon Alleyne – a former monarch – who opened the night’s competition with a scintillating rendition of Codes, was “robbed” of a top four place.
Defending champion Mr Blood’s performance failed to elicit an enthusiastic response to the veteran, known for a track record of exceptional performances and strong impact on audiences.
Singing Ain’t leaving, he had to leave the crown he pursued this year, on the stage.
The positions from five to 18 were not made known on the night, but notably, Chrystal Chrystal Holder, while missing the monarchy once again, was close to predicting the victor in her song.
She sang AI Gine Win De Crown. AC won it.’
For the other competitors Chad Sir Ruel Bowen: Home Don’t Feel Like Home; Jalissa J Damond Edwards: she delivered a Teacher’s Tale; Raheem Raheem Taylor was pulling: Triggers; Tamara Queen T Boyce was: Lacking Intelligence; Shontae Tae Alleyne-Clarke was caught up in the: Blame Game; Ian Skung Yung Alleyne: told the crowd I Had A Dream; Anique Niqa Herbert queried: Don’t You Think That’s A Crime?; Colin Spence was an Obedient Colin; Yahandje Yahandje Daniel sang of a Chain Reaction; Billboard Billboard Murrell also tackled the Blame Game; another crowd favourite Jamal Slocombe: decided to Talk ‘Bout Dat; and Ronald De Announcer Clarke came as The People’s King, but seemed to lack the x-factor evident last year in order to maintain that title.
The Pic-o-De-Crop monarch was reported to have taken home a 2026 GAC EMKOO Elite GX vehicle along with one year’s insurance valued at $5 000, instead of $100 000 cash
Kid Site earned a second prize of $40 000 cash; i-Web $20 000 for third spot, with a fourth prize of $15 000 going to Mr Blood, The competitor placing fifth received $10 000 cash.
Those in positions sixth to 10th get $8 000 each, while 11th to 19 (including the reserve) receive $6 000 each.
The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) expressed satisfaction with the production of the calypso finale at the National Botanical Gardens in a last-minute nod to public pressure, despite the controversy surrounding its relocation from Kensington Oval to facilitate the State Funeral for the late National Hero, Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers.
NCF chief executive Carol Roberts told Barbados TODAY that the last-minute venue change was the only major alteration to the competition, which she disclosed was attended by more than 8 000 patrons.
“This final, as you know, was not without its speed bumps along the way in terms of change of venue. That would be the one major change…change of venue. As usual, the NCF consulted with the finalists once they were known; and the tent managers; and working with our partners and our sponsors, tried our best to make it as comfortable and accommodating as possible for both finalists and patrons, and the end result speaks for itself.”
Asked if the calypso final would likely be at Kensington Oval next year, the CEO replied: “Let me get past Crop Over and hope that we don’t have another state funeral. I think we are missing some very serious realities here. We cannot predict death; and we stand on the shoulders of great, selfless, pioneering Barbadians, who allow us to live the quality of life, and be respected the world over because of their contribution. How to honour them when they transition, is non-negotiable.”
(EJ)
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