Twenty-two-year-old Kyrique Alleyne is the winner of the 2025 Richard Stoute Over 21 competition.
He came out tops from a field of ten singers at the finals at St Leonard’s Boys’ School before a reasonable audience Friday night.
Kyrique’s delivery – in the first and second half of his two songs – signalled that he was a favourite though the scores hinted that contestants had reasonable leads among them based on the points announced in the top five.
Kyrique, a 2023 Baje To The World winner, scored 1 283 points for his renditions of Jackie Opel’s Every Word I Say Is True and Mike Grosvernor Independent Man. Doing pieces by local acts worked in his favour. His range is versatile and suited the high pitch of the original singers. His performance can be described as virtuoso. Tall in stature, slim in build he connects with
the audience with his easy vocal stylings. The band and back-up singers worked well.
“I am elated, not necessarily about what took place five to ten minutes ago but the journey we had. It was like Baje To The World . . . very [instructive]. Though I am an artiste that is known, I am still an upcoming [one]. Being able to grasp the knowledge given by our [musical officers] attached to the programme; to foster that relationship through the arts to see them as persons you can come to for advice in such changing times as a creative is [encouraging],” he said after collecting his prize of $3 000 along with the Richard Stoute award of $1 000 and a trophy.
Kyrique, who describes himself as very spiritual and doesn’t move a step without the Most High, is no stranger to titles.
“I started with Mr Lux Gem, then Baje To The World; have been nominated and now the recipient of the National Cultural Award and today we make history again by being the winner of the Over 21,” he said in an interview minutes after the presentation.
Asked where the win will take him, Kyrique, who was invited to do an appearance with Trinidad’s Destra after his Baje win a couple of years ago, said philosophically: “Wherever it had taken him before . . . . How do you make this additional step that you are content with, how do we show people that you are on stage to showcase to their hearts and souls; their appreciation that you have for a craft that is a safe haven to many. So it is always a stepping stone and having the craft to be understood as something that is healing.”
Dave Cumberbatch scored 1 195 points for second place, taking home $2 000 for his renditions of Feeling Good and My Tribute. A technical delay halted his appearance, pushing him back to do his second song.
Lisa Hackett sang Russian Roulette and I Surrender taking third with 1 150 points and a purse of $ 1 500, while Zadora Griffith came fourth with 1 120 points getting $1 000. Her songs were Foolish Games and All Coming Back To Me Now.
Benoni Blackett placed fifth with 1 023 points doing I Who Have Nothing and Never Fall In Love Again. His prize was $750.
All of the contestants received participation medallions.
It was a long night. Pauses for a change of mic and at least one act, Bentley Jones, seemed to have a problem and exited the stage briefly and returned after he seemed satisfied with the adjustment.
Credit to the emcee for expressing best wishes to Jamaicans who are impacted by Hurricane Melissa. (JS)
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