A Controversy Apology

Where is the Controversy this Crop Over?
I am hearing that question at the Beach, at the Supermarket and at the shows…

People have been writing letters to the media asking in an almost adamant manner where is the controversy.

I am constantly being asked “Boyce wha happen? Wha I ent hearing you this year?”
It was the basis of a newspaper article just last week. In that interview I shed some light on why I had not been keeping noise and explain how I had been doing things differently. It’s almost like I have had to come up with an excuse as to why I have not been fulfilling my usual nefarious role.
The people seem vexed and annoyed. 

There are some people who are of the firm belief that in order for Crop Over to be succussfull there must be controversy, I have even heard that back in the 80’s the then NCF would strategically plan with key calypsonians creating controversial issues at key times to stimulate interest in the festival.For all the years I have been around previous NCF CEO Estwick has never called me and said “lets stir up some trouble Boyce!” I am almost hurt.

So I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere apologies this year for not stirring up any trouble.I apologise for not attacking NCF and Government nor cursing anybody’s ass.

But wait a minute….
To all you controversy lovers out there, all my fans who follow Boyce contentious issues with “Days of our lives” fanaticism, there is still hope on the horizon. Soon there is a possibility you will get your hearts desire, after all what is Crop Over without controversy.
I might soon have to withdraw my apology!

The Bag Controversy

The Perennial Red Plastic Bag

Have you been hearing all the heehaw and debate that has been occurring because the National Cultural Foundation decided to honour Red Plastic Bag for the contribution he made to calypso?

Things like this get me sort of lost, how can that be misconstrued as a bad thing?
How can local calypsonians be complaining because a local calypsonian is being honored?
So what if Bag is in the competition this year does that in some way negate the contribution he has made to calypso over the years?
If the NCF were to honour Trinidadian calypsonian Shadow or wait till Machel came down here and honored him I would see why people would have a problem with that.

Red Plastic Bag would have revoloutionised Bajan calypso when he started in 1982, with hits such as “Mr Harding” “They Publish it” “can’t find me brother” and more.
He is a perennial calypso stalwart who not only could win a calypso crown back in 1982 but in 2007 and possibly 2008.
If Red Plastic Bag can’t be honored for the contribution he has made to calypso in this country, then who can be?

The pugnacious and vehement discourse which has erupted from NCF’s decision to honour “Bag” is a reminder of one of the songs he wrote that I mentioned above, the fact that some people don’t just “publish-it they “talk it” as well. 

Watch Out for Admiral the MC

Admiral MC Nelson

Mac Fingall, Trevor Eastmond and KB Kleen watch out!
I happen to catch a piece of Admiral Nelson MCing “De Big Show” calypso tent this weekend and he was pretty damn excellent.
His joke delivery and comedic timing was impeccable.
Also impressive was his deportment from the time he stepped on the stage with his dazzling white suit he made a statement.
A statement he verbalised when he told the audience they would not miss Mac Fingall because “the Admiral was here”.

As you would know Admiral Nelson is more known for his “Festival Stage” radio show, where his acerbic and critical tongue has been used on many a calypso tent.
He would therefore know that if he were to make a mistake and not be a good mc, he would have had hell to pay. So he had no choice but to come up to the mark.

You would have seen Admiral as an MC for the Banks Cable and Wireless Vintage Cavalcades where he more dispensed historical calypso information with little jokes. But last night he made his intro with a comedic commentary on the different kind of sex people have in their kitchen bathroom and bedroom and established an immediate connection to the audience. It appeared most of the people there had engaged in sex at some time or the other and knew what he was talking about.

Admiral stated it was his objective to host the calypso finals and if his performance in “De Big show” is any thing to go by, that could easily be a reality.

Boyce in Llaro Court

Did you see me on TV last night? Yuh Idiot! Making comments about my Visit to Llaro court to meet the Prime Minister of Barbados. I was part of the entertainment industry who met with the PM to make submissions to his drafting of the budget.
I have the official statement entered below but I will also give you a Boyce Voice exclusive behind the scenes commentary.
Lets start with my pictures….

That’s beautiful ent it? That is like the yard of Llaro Court taken from the back porch where we were sitting, don’t you wish you had a yard like that?  It looks like one of those picture post cards somebody send you from over in away. But its taken right here in Barbados the most beautiful garden you ever saw.

Speaking of beautiful here’s me and Santia, while it is true I am beautiful right now I am refering to Santia who is the head of Pyramaid Entertainment who attended the consultation.

Who was also beautiful that was there was the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Natasha King, not that I am looking but if I were, I would look for her. I apologise for not having a picture of her as I would have been holding her too and that would have been good.

Lets go into my one dissapointment of the visit, you know I can’t keep, I was so vex then.

As we were waiting we were offered drinks and i asked for powerade AND THERE WAS NONE!

Heres me after I did not get my Powerade, I almost left, I was going to ask for Bakes but I decided not to push it

Here is the Entertainment delegation Norman Barrow,President of Batman Sinclair Gittens and Michael Agard manager of Krosfyah, never go any place with Norman, he gets all the damn kisses, thats the second reason I almost left…

Heres the group again this time with Jan, why is Jan smiling like a cheshire cat? She got the drink she wanted,if I had gotten the drink I wanted I would have been happy too, but smiling like a tom cat..

 Heres the offical press release I put out:…

On Wednesday 25th June a delegation representing the entertainment industry met with the Prime Minister at Llaro Court to make recommendations as the PM prepares for his budget speech.

This delegation consisted of Norman Barrow, Santia Bradshaw, Peter Boyce, Hilana Layne, Michael Agard of Krosfyah and Sinclair Gittens the President of BATMAN.

In our non traditional industry, entertainment. We are not usually included in discussions at this level and we were thankful for the opportunity and that the PM should see us as important a sector to invite.

Discussions were frank and productive and we were able to make submissions that would be  beneficial not only for cultural industries but to the Barbados economy as a whole.

I beleive that statement speaks for it self, In terms of going into more depth as to what was discussed and the proposals which were put forward, NO!
You so malicious then you does get me sick, you want to know every thing, if you are nice I might tell you some time later

I apologise for not having a picture of me and Prime Minister David, and I know there are some people out there who would say I really did’nt meet him, but i did honest…

Peter “who met the prime minister ‘Boyce is moving away from the computer…

Little Father Rick

The little Rick leadeth his son

I mentioned it in passing but I felt the need to go back and expand on it.
Blogging about the concept of the Hypa Dog and the Under Dog duet which consists of Little Rick inducting his real life son to the 2008 Crop Over stage.

I see this as a significant event and I will tell you why because I usually do. And you usually read it as you have nothing else to do.

Little Rick whether you like it or not, is looked up too as a role model by a majority of Barbadian youth.
His widespread popularity is evidenced by the huge listener ship of his Guinness radio rush hours and the dominance of his music among the youthful demographic speaks to this fact.
Often you hear Lil Rick’s influence mentioned in a negative light usually at government consultations where it is often stated he is leading the youth astray promoting alcohol and wuckless music.
How ever you must consider this.

There is a widely accepted practice among young Barbadian males of getting their girlfriends pregnant and then leaving them to raise the children alone with out living up to their responsibilities as fathers.

Lil Rick therefore by publicly acknowledging his role as a father is providing a positive role model to the misguided wuckless men out there who need to be shown the way.

So those Lil Rick detractors who are always pulling him down need to take note of that.

Son of Little Rick “the Under Dog”

R.Kelly, Chico, Mac, Women and Love

This is not R.Kelly!! (he says it isn’t him)

Why did so many African-American women support R. Kelly?

I came across this article in Newsweek magazine which highlighted a phenomenon that I had already noticed.
When the R.Kelly verdict was announced there were all these women who had gathered around the court to show their support for the singer who were ecstatically happy on hearing the “not guilty verdict. They danced a jig like in my previous post!
The article focused that despite the overwhelming video tape pornographic evidence which featured him having sex and urinating on an underage black girl, black women stanchly defended him.
I find that concept to be amazing, wha I gun left home and go in a court yard talking bout I supporting R.Kelly? Wha I know something bout he?
Maybe he flipping well do it…
If that were you on that video tape do you feel you would have gotten off? Alright then!
On how women go to court supporting these high profile characters I have a parallel I would like to put to you to make a point.
Remember years ago when they had the Chico and Mac situation here in Barbados?
They were some foreign male strippers who came down here and did a show for the bajan females, the women loved them! And I mean that literally.
After Chico and Mac were arrested for their dastardly salacious acts Bajan women turned up in droves in the court yard to show their support for the strippers.
Men now, would go and watch women strippers, throw money at them, and if the price is right have sex with them.
When the female strippers get arrest you think you would see men in court talking bout them supporting them?
In fact a man would say “don’t call my name hear!” and would walk pass like he never see the woman in his life.
My theory is women fall in love and just feel the need to go out and support these people blindly.
I guess that’s what they mean when they say “Love is blind”.

Ps: by the way the Mac I mentioned above is not Mac Fingall, just so you know…

 

Krosfyah Video Casting Call

Edwin and Krosfyah performing

Here’s something that would be of interest to Krosfyah fans especially people like FyahKros
Here’s a chance for you to be the Star you always wanted to be but were afraid as you were a scardy cat
Krosfyah is now looking for EXTRAS for a new music video, Edwin’s new release for 2008 “Nah missing me”.
So you cannot miss this…
Shoot day: Sunday June 29
Location: Ocean front restaurant - Coral Reef Hotel - St James
Call time: 5 PM

You will get Food & drinks plus1 Ticket for a Krosfyah Crop Over party
 

The theme of the video is bringing the “World” to a Krosfyah party.
They are providing some ethnic costumes, fabrics and accessories Size SMALL and MEDIUM.KrosFyah will appreciate your contribution in bringing any costume, uniform, ethnic outfit or accessories that you will feel comfortable using.
To give you an idea of the costumes and character they are looking for, here is a list:
- Priest, nuns, bride, bride’s maid, groom
- Nurse, doctors, surgeon
- Indian, African, Arabs, Jewish, Muslim, Mexican, Tunisian, Sikhs, Hindi, Masai, Hawaiian, Asian…
- Construction worker, mechanic, postman,chef, waiter, maid, driver, bellboy, military, pilot, flight attendant, US marine, soldier, sailor, fireman, police officer…
- Bad boy, cowboy, business people, posh woman, Geisha…
- Pompom girl, footballer, referee, athletes, ballerina, equestrian, snowboarder…

I feel that I will be going as a “Bad Boy-ce!”
You get it? It’s a joke, I took Bad Boy and added on “ce” and…Look don’t worry bout it.

Boyce will look forward to seeing you at the Krosfyah video shoot on June 29th 2008.
 Drop Krosfyah an email at fyah@caribsurf.com with your name, contact number and size and you could be the next big video star…
 

Cultural Industries Dancing a Jig

See the man dance…

The man is dancing a jig

why is the man dancing a jig?

Because He is happy and gay

He is a calypsonian/tent manager/ kadooment band leader/ gay rights activist

That’s why he is so flipping happy? Let’s examine why…

For the first time in recent cultural history
Government subsidies and prize monies to Kadooment bands, calypso tents and Calypsonians have been increased.

 
Yeah, you might say that has been done before but the difference is it has not been preceded by cultural industries having to “holding the country to ransom”.

Usually increases are the results of a bitterly fought battle between NCF and Batman, I know because Boyce has been involved many of these skirmishes over the years.

Now we are fortunate enough that we have an administration that recognizes the financial challenges that face our industry and with out threat have responded and increased their funding.

So the man above dances his gig as a Kadooment Band leader, Tent manager and calypsonian he is happy, but how is he happy as a gay activist?

They are now marrying gay couples in California!! whoopee does it get better than that….?!

 

HD Machel Power

MACHEL the HD man

“The government will feature only 100% Bajan talent at our Crop Over national events”.

That’s what I thought I heard government say but then I am fairly slow. I should know because I went on public record as supporting this position both on this blog and on TV.(I looked beautiful on TV)
Next thing yuh know trinidian Machel Montano came down here to launch a kadooment band and superseded that statement casually dropping a remark “I will be back for cohobblopot”.

“Yeah right” Boyce said, “Obviously no one told him what the authorities had said”
Low and behold at a press conference announcing the government was now doing cohobblopot themselves who was sitting at the head table being presented as a headliner none other than the same Machel Montano, ok then.
That’s what you call an entertainer with clout!
When I grow up I  want to be like Machel.
Maybe Machel is a Bajan and we don’t know, maybe he has a Barbados passport.
Or maybe he just has power that’s what happens when you have HD.
I  am going to have too go down to Trinidad and issue an edict stating I must be a headliner at one of their national shows and see what happens.
If there is true caricom reciprocation our government needs to now broker a deal where our Alison or Edwin will be a headliner at one of the Trinidadian national calypso events, I am not talking about just entering a competition I MEAN AS A HEADLINER!
 
Oh yeah, and they must get paid $60,000 bds dollars too which is like 2 million tt.

Happy Fathers Day

It is father’s day and you know what I hate?

That greeting that circulates around fathers day that goes “Happy Fathers Day to Fathers and too Mothers who are fathers”.
That does get me so sick then, now when it is Mothers Day you don’t hear happy Mothers day to mothers and fathers who are mothers.
Its is just happy mothers day and that’s it.

Now I am not under emphasizing the role of single mothers in society, with out women doing more than their part to raise the children when the wuckless fathers go long where would we be.
But at the end of the day you are not a father this is evident by the fact you do not have the necessary equipment. You HAVE to be a man to be a father…
They are a few fathers who play the role of both parents too that still doesn’t mean them can call them self’s mothers.

So unless you now of women out there who are planning to get a sex operation and be modified to have both a penis and a vagina, desist from saying Happy Fathers day to women alright, it is crap and should be against some law.  

I would like to go on to talk about all the big fuss they have for Mothers day and they is always a special show on for you to take your mummy too and for fathers day there is none, if you want to take out dad its “de theatre (cinema) and that’s dat.

At this point I will stop least my mother hears about this post and puts some lashes in my ass.
But in closing allow me to reiterate HAPPY FATHERS DAY and that’s it…

I gone, my Sunday Fathers Day lunch is ready! And its not just bakes either….