iWeb nets fourth calypso crown

Ian iWeb Webster is the 2023 Calypso Monarch.

Around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 5, the former calypso monarch and music teacher was named winner of the Courtesy Garage Pic O De Crop competition beating a line-up that included three former monarchs, repeat finalists and some young blood.

The Courtesy Garage Pic O De Crop saw a record 19 of the country’s finest calypsonians go toe-toe at the new Amphitheatre venue at the National Botanical Gardens, for the coveted title.

Police recorded that some 10 000 patrons attended the event.

iWeb can now boost of having four titles until his belt having won in 2013, 2014 and 2017.

Speaking after he was announced winner and accepted his prizes the new monarch told the NCF media team that he was thankful.

“I am thankful. I am honesty thankful. It was a very keen competition, You know AC was coming, Teri was coming, everybody in the mix was coming…. But, I was fortunate to be able to execute a great performance tonight and thankful for the victory.

“To people that are watching and are young, I would say to you when I was in school I would watch Pic O De Crop on TV, Friday nights. Of course growing up my favourite calypsonian was Red Plastic Bag. I have followed his career I have followed Gabby’s career.

He added: “When I started out I was imitating Gabby but I have been able to hone my skills over the years and I give credit to those two men for setting the pace and paving the way for me,” he said in an interview with the National Cultural Foundation.

iWeb, who amassed an impressive 128 points sang his Brain which was penned by the duo of himself and Cheyne Jones (The WaterStreet Boyz) and arranged by Roger Gittens.

The 2023 Calypso Monarch, who has the choice of a driving a Nissan E Power X-Trail valued at $135 000, compliments title sponsors Courtesy Garage, or $100 000 in cash.

His winnings also include $4 000 insurance compliments Cooperators General Insurance and $1 000 voucher from Henrietta’s Closet. He has until Wednesday, August 9 to make his decision.

iWeb, who hails from the First Citizens De Big Show thanked all who supported him and he credited his continual success to a “great team”.

AC, who placed second with 109 points took home $40 000; 2023 calypso monarch Quon who scored 79 points took third place with $20, 000 and Billboard came fourth with 73 points and left with $15 000.  Fifth to 10^th place won $8 000 each while 11^th to 19^th won $6 000 each.

The competition was judged by: chief judge Leslie Lett, deputy chief Ryan Boyce, Sach Moore, Desmond Weekes, Joy Knight, Dr. Yvonne Weekes, Norton Brewster and Charlie Austin.

The NCF takes this opportunity to thank the sponsors, patrons, finalists, judges, band, production crew, police and security and all who played a role in making the Courtesy Garage Pic O De Crop Finals a success. (PR)

The full results as tabulated by our auditors PriceWaterhouseCoopers are as follows:

POSITION	ARTISTE	SONG	SCORE
1	I-Web	Brain	128.0
2	AC	Anansi and the Big Bad Ram	109.0
3	Quon	Sing Quon Sing	79.0
4	Billboard	Foolish	73.0
5	John Yarde	Gospel According to John	71.0
6	Chrystal	De Rescue	70.0
7	Mr Blood	Hornology	69.5
8	Donella	Who’s Next	69.0
9	Niqa	The Chosen Few	66.0
10	Nathalee	Not For Sale	63.0
11	Teri	Cat Piss and Pepper	53.5
12	Raanan	Mr Thankful	50.3
13	Charisma	Hear	49.3
14	Keerah	Come Fuh Me	48.3
15	Coopa Dan	Reflection	45.0
16	Eric Lewis	Conversation with Mr. Satire	40.3
17	Ross	Helping Hands	28.5
18	Raheem	Child Support	21.3
19	Bumba	Change De System	19.0