– 2024 Winner Young Blood Crowned Calypso Monarch
The Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIFFC) has announced the disqualification of three competitors and a reshuffling of placements and prizes following an investigation into the 2025 Calypso Monarch Competition.
The inquiry, launched earlier this week, identified four breaches of competition rules related to the reuse of previously performed material. According to officials, the competitors in question submitted songs that had either been presented in past competitions or performed publicly prior to this year’s event—an act that violates the committee’s rule requiring all entries to be original and not presented “in any form” prior to the competition.
The disqualified contestants include Z. Eklund Adams (stage name Officer), who performed the songs Victims Crying Out and Set Good Examples; Joycelyn Searles Duncan (Sistah Joyce), who performed Ms. P; and Lester Fontelio (Le Le), who submitted Hall of Shame. All were found to have repurposed previously showcased work despite minor lyrical revisions.
“The songs may have included updated lyrics,” the committee said in a statement, “but their prior use in competition or public performance still constitutes a breach of the rules.”
The decision led to a reassignment of the competition’s top honors. Marcus Mark, performing under the name Young Blood, was named the 2025 Calypso Monarch and awarded $6,000, a trophy, sash, and crown. He was also given the Best Lyrics award. Reynold Phillips (King Paido) was named First Runner-Up, receiving $3,000, while Jaynene Jno Lewis (Miss Understood) placed as Second Runner-Up, earning $2,000.
The VIFFC stated that it does not believe any of the disqualified performers acted with malicious intent, attributing the violations instead to a “misinterpretation” of the rules. All three will remain eligible to compete in the 2026 competition.
The committee also extended thanks to Sistah Joyce for alerting officials to the potential discrepancies, which prompted the review. In its closing remarks, the VIFFC emphasized its commitment to fairness, transparency, and maintaining the integrity of the annual Emancipation Festival.
