“Lie” — Lady Gypsy's Stand Against Silence and Victimization

Lynette Steele, whose sobriquet is "Lady Gypsy," stands strong as a fearless Calypsonian steeped in truth and tradition. One thing we can tell you is that when it comes to telling it like it is, she abandons her lady persona and dons her tigress persona... She delivers political blows, or as we like to say, "political boi!"   She is proud and sings boldly, and today we present another salty song titled "Lie." She is not about to cower before anyone, and this song is her way of shedding the weight on her shoulders. 

The chorus is where we explain the song's meaning, but we will let the artist convey it in her own words: "They want me to lie… tell a lie… lie, lie, lie."

She said it and declared that she has no intention of bowing to anyone and is determined to proclaim her integrity. She recounts the backlash, political pressure, and betrayal by fellow Calypsonians and those in charge of the industry. It was a brutal confrontation and a costly lesson for her. The problems in the industry happened because she was bold enough to sing about what she was seeing but was told was a lie. 

In her lyrics, she expressed her true feelings or addressed the issues that troubled her. This is a political commentary with flair; she does not hold back! Wouldn't you speak out if you thought that you were being victimized or being silenced? She did not hold back and called out those who turned their backs on her, those who told her to lighten up her lyrics, and especially those who punished her for her political choices. 

Key lyrical moments include:

• “The truth does not wear a crown—that is very wrong.”
• “Victimization for every song.”
• “Our culture should never be a race; instead, we should celebrate each other’s religions.”

She wanted to ensure that her commitment was not political but about unity and cultural dignity. We are our own worst enemies when our tribal instincts lead us to punish others 'just because.'

Then there is the production done by Kenny Phillips.  This is uptempo and musically full of vibes. It takes magic fingers to produce excellent work and Rodney Alexander left his signature on the bass guitar.  Tricia Hamilton provided background vocals for a 'dressed to impress' song. She is doing background vocals for so many artists and on this one, she continues delivering professional and sweet vocals. Overall, we love the music; it was clean and both the vocals and music complemented each other. 

We revisit our earlier point, where we mentioned that Lady Gypsy drops the 'Lady' moniker when sharing verbal political views.  She delivered a song that is powerful and uncompromising. She is fearless and confronts her naysayers; she takes down the political pressure and destroys the cultural division as she laments the personal betrayal. Rest assured, this lady will not lie, will always tell her truth and will never abandon the calyoso tradition of truth to power. We love this song not just for the message but because, as a vocalist, she is natural and on top of her game.

Production Notes/Music Credits:

Song Title: Lie 

Artist/Performed by: Lady Gypsy 

Composed by: Lynette Steele (Lady Gypsy) 

Arranged and Produced by: Kenny Phillips 

Bass: Rodney Alexander 

Background Vocals: Tricia Hamilton

Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.

Genre: Calypso 🎶

Empowering Caribbean Creatives

🎧 Listen. Share. Amplify. Kaiso Dial—Where Rhythm Lives. Calypso, Steelband, and Soca thrive every day, not just at Carnival. 🌴✨ Elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word! 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.

We present the music here for your listening pleasure and promotional purposes only, adhering to the "Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976. Kaiso Dial/Calypso Music Blog © 1990 by Santiwah is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.

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EMPRESS JOINS KAISO SHOWKASE FOR CARNIVAL 2026

FORMER SOUTH JUNIOR CALYPSO MONARCH—EMPRESS JOINS KAISO SHOWKASE FOR CARNIVAL 2026

By Nerukhi Ato Osei

Lisa Roberts, known as EMPRESS, has been singing calypso since the tender age of 11.

She first performed Calypso, written by her aunt, at competitions at the St. Madeleine Junior Secondary School. From there she attended the San Fernando Senior Comprehensive School, where she continued her calypso journey, winning the NCC South Junior Calypso in 1991.

As a senior performer she performed at the CDC Tent from 2011 to 2014

In 2015 she performed at the Divas Calypso Cabaret, thereafter moving to the Kalypso Review, where she performed from 2018 to 2024.

Empress is a woman passionate about Calypso, the arts, and life.

She regularly promotes Calypso on her social media pages and is well known in the arts circles for her commitment and dedication.

This season in 2026, Empress joins the cast of the San Fernando-based Kaiso Showkase.

She performs a song titled – CUT IN WATER.

Her song is described on her youtube post in the following manner: 

In our Caribbean culture where horning is a way of life, men who want to encourage women to be unfaithful to their mate, often whisper in their ears ... “Gimme de ting nah. Is just between me and you ... de man eh have to know nutten ... Chop in water doh leave no mark” 

This song is a cautionary tale that dispels the notion that one could act irresponsibly re one’s sexual relationships and escape unscathed. It reminds that for “every stroke there is always a consequence.” A word to the wise!!! 

Link to the Video here: https://youtu.be/KrCk0_QSSYk?si=UH47XO203XuEz-7R

Song Title: Chop in Water

Artist/Performed by: Lisa Roberts

Composed by: Christophe Grant 

Arranger/Producer - Angelo Pantin / Diamond Sound Studios 

Guitars - Kwame Morrison 

Brass - Dan Clarke 

Lyric Video by—Ekweoha Entertainment

Empowering Caribbean Creatives

🎧 Listen. Share. Amplify. Kaiso Dial—Where Rhythm Lives. Calypso, Steelband, and Soca thrive every day, not just at Carnival. 🌴✨ Elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word! 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.

We present the music here for your listening pleasure and promotional purposes only, adhering to the "Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976. Kaiso Dial/Calypso Music Blog © 1990 by Santiwah is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.

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Till There's No More by Christal Charles The Legal Diva

A brave and timely contribution to Kaiso 2026.

Spousal abuse, where men abuse women and, yes, women abuse men, is a malaise affecting societies all over the world today. “Till There’s No More” is a firm, unflinching look at gender‑based violence—a crisis that continues to shadow the lives of women across the nation. From the opening lines, she draws a clear distinction: not all men are abusive, but too many women are suffering, hiding, running, or dying at the hands of those who claim to love them.

The song moves through the everyday dangers women face—emotional manipulation, intimidation, stalking, predatory behavior, and the constant fear that follows them from taxis to workplaces to their homes. Charles balances this with acknowledgment of the men who uplift, support, and protect, but she never lets that soften the truth. At the core of her plea is something simple: Her central plea is simple and powerful: men must protect, not control.

What makes this calypso resonate is its refusal to sensationalize the violence while refusing to ignore it. She uses  her voice as both advocate and witness, reminding the nation that change requires accountability, restraint, and emotional maturity. In a season built on celebration and women as objects to have fun,  “Till There’s No More” stands as a necessary counterweight—a call to conscience and a reminder of the work still to be done.

Production Notes/Music Credits:

Song Title: Till There's No More

Artist/Performed by: Christal Charles (The Legal Diva)

Composed by: Ife Allen

Arranged by: Kenny Phillips

Background vocals by Tricia Hamilton 

Bass-Rodney Alexander

Brass-Roger Jaggassar, Oral Rodriguez, David Jacob

Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.

Genre: Calypso 🎶

Empowering Caribbean Creatives

🎧 Listen. Share. Amplify. Kaiso Dial—Where Rhythm Lives. Calypso, Steelband, and Soca thrive every day, not just at Carnival. 🌴✨ Elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word! 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.

We present the music here for your listening pleasure and promotional purposes only, adhering to the "Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976. Kaiso Dial/Calypso Music Blog © 1990 by Santiwah is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.

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Terri Lyons Reclaims Her Crown at the Queen of Queens Competition December 2025

Credit: Information courtesy of Discover Montserrat/all other information added by Kaiso Dial.

The Lioness roared once more—or rather, Terri’s vocal brilliance lit up the stage, captivating both audience and judges with performances powerful enough to claim the Caribbean crown yet again. Kaiso Dial is proud of her remarkable achievement, and we honor her artistry with this post.

Terri Lyons, the defending champion from Trinidad and Tobago, once again showcased her mastery of the regional calypso stage, securing the Delta Petroleum Queen of Queens—Regional Female Calypso Competition with a score of 985 points. Facing a strong lineup of nine performers from across the Caribbean, Lyons claimed her fourth regional crown and the US$7,000 prize, reaffirming her place among the region’s most respected calypsonians.

The opening round showcased the breadth and diversity of female calypso talent across the region. Each performer brought her message, style, and cultural voice to the Carnival City stage:

• Joy Stout—“My Quest for Love” (Dominica)
• Sheviyona “Blessings” Thomas—“One Montserrat” (Montserrat)
• Jenille “Super Star” Simon—“21st Century” (Grenada)
• Geve “Ge’Eve” Phillip—“One Man” (Antigua & Barbuda)
• Natalie Charles, aka “Empress Lyric”—“Black Woman” (Nevis)
• Maggie D—“Protect Our Children” (Montserrat)
• Nyota “Black Pearl” Mulcare—“Too Much Ole Talk” (Montserrat)
• Roselyn Hayes—“Sing It in Kaiso” (Tobago)
• Terri Lyons—“Blessings” (Trinidad & Tobago) 

Lyons closed the round with a commanding performance of Blessings, transforming the stage into a CARICOM church tableau supported by the Matrixx Dancers dressed as a choir. Early commentary from calypso analyst Nubia Williams suggested that Ge’Eve’s delivery stood out based on lyrics, melody, rendition, and presentation, but Lyons’ execution ultimately placed her ahead at the halfway mark.

The halftime segment added its sparkle, featuring newly crowned seven‑time Montserrat Calypso Monarch Keithroy “De Bear” Morson alongside his daughter Innistia Morson, the reigning Junior Calypso Monarch—a moment that highlighted calypso’s intergenerational strength.

Round Two Performances

Here is the updated, fully structured list for the second round:

• Joy Stout—“The Ground We Walking On”
• Sheviyona “Blessings” Thomas—“Fearless”
• Jenille “Super Star” Simon—“Flag Draggers”
• Geve “Ge’Eve” Phillip—“Daughter Come”
• Natalie “Empress Lyric” Charles—“Catscan”
• Maggie D—“Soca Come Back”
• Nyota, “Black Pearl.” Mulcare—“De World in Chaos”
• Roselyn Hayes—Tribute to The Mighty Shadow
• Terri Lyons—“I Am Lion”

Lyons’ closing performance, I Am Lion, played cleverly on her surname and celebrated her family’s musical legacy. It sent the crowd into a frenzy and sealed her victory.

The Results

1. Terri Lyons - 985 Points 🇹🇹 👑
2. Ge'eve Phillip - 947 Points 🇦🇬
3. Roselyn Reid-Hayes - 888 Points 🇹🇹

Consecutive Win Years 

• 2022: First win with "Obeah" and "Meghan My Dear." 👑
• 2023: Defended with "House Cleaning" and "Calypso." 👑
• 2024: Third win with "Black and Ugly" and "Ask Yuh Man," scoring 1,268 points. 👑
• 2025: Fourth win in Montserrat with "Blessings" and "I Am Lion," scoring 985 points. 👑

The ZJB Radio broadcast, hosted by JGP with commentary from Austin Howe, Herman “Cupid” Francis, De Bear, and Cecile “Cepeke” Lake, offered thoughtful critique throughout the night. Analysts praised Joy’s emotional delivery but noted her limited stage movement, while Blessings showed youthful promise. De Bear observed that although Ge’Eve delivered two strong selections, a touch more vocal restraint could elevate her impact.

As judges deliberated, veteran Nevisian calypsonian King Dis and Dat entertained the audience. The evening also honored the founders of the Regional Female Calypso Competition—Paul Lewis, Eddie Prynze Duberry, and Earl “Accident” Sullivan—whose early efforts helped shape what has now become a respected regional platform under the Montserrat Arts Council.

Empowering Caribbean Creatives

🎧 Listen. Share. Amplify. Kaiso Dial—Where Rhythm Lives. Calypso, Steelband, and Soca thrive every day, not just at Carnival. 🌴✨ Elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word! 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.

We present the music here for your listening pleasure and promotional purposes only, adhering to the "Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976. Kaiso Dial/Calypso Music Blog © 1990 by Santiwah is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.

♫Please press the music player button below to listen now (small triangle in the Music player/TV Frame).

Sokah2Soca · Terri Lyons - Queen of Queens 2025 Winning Songs

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Introducing Nerukhi: A New Voice Joining Kaiso Dial

Image © Newsday Trinidad

Kaiso Dial is proud to welcome Ato Osei, aka Nerukhi, the artist, to our growing family of cultural storytellers. He’s a true Caribbean creative: a singer/songwriter, music producer, teacher, writer, visual artist, and cultural advocate whose work is rooted deeply in Trinidad and Tobago’s traditions.

Nerukhi has been part of the Calypso landscape for years, releasing tracks like “Country Gyal” and earning praise from those who are culturally aware. His studio collaborations, including work through Neruki Studio, connect him to the next wave of Calypsonians.

He continues to promote cultural preservation through community projects, art initiatives, and his active online presence.

Now, he puts that same love into Kaiso Dial by writing, thinking, and helping us keep track of the changing story of Calypso and Trinidad and Tobago culture.

Look out for his posts, insights, and creative contributions as we move into the Carnival 2026 season. This is a voice worth listening to. 

To all Calypsonians reading this post, if you want your music or biography featured on Kaiso Dial, contact Nerukhi for assistance. Help is on the way...

Link to his first post here: Wear Clothes - Hamidullah 2026

Empowering Caribbean Creatives

🎧 Listen. Share. Amplify. Kaiso Dial—Where Rhythm Lives. Calypso, Steelband, and Soca thrive every day, not just at Carnival. 🌴✨ Elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word! 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.

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Casting Away the Old, Stepping Into 2026: Cast Them Away by Ta'Zyah O'Connor

We are in a good place with this first Calypso post for the new year.  Our first release for the new year is "Cast Them Away" by Ta'zyah O'Connor. The songwriter cleverly blends social commentary with a spiritual theme, calling on the nation to confront the destructive forces shaping everyday life. The song warns us that fear, deception, greed, and division are real issues that divide and destabilize communities.

This is a reminder that we have faced troubling issues in the past: slavery, indentureship, exploitation, and the long struggle toward dignity. Those shared histories, O’Connor argues, should anchor the society against modern attempts to divide and destabilize it. His message is simple and direct: unity is not optional; it is necessary.

As you listen to the song, the spiritual theme is constant. O’Connor invokes symbols from multiple faith traditions—rosaries, holy water, Quranic references, candles, and bells—reflecting the country’s spiritual diversity. This is not a call to one religion, but a call to collective cleansing. The repeated chant to “cast them away” becomes a ritual of removing the forces that corrupt public life, from crime and corruption to fear and confusion.

Consider this song your reset, our reset song, as Carnival 2026 takes control. Consider it your reset for the new year. It calls on the nation to reject its weaknesses and restore its unity. It is a fitting anthem for a new year: clear, urgent, and rooted in the belief that the people still have the power to choose a better path.

Production Notes/Music Credits:

Song Title: Cast Them Away

Artist/Performed by: Ta’zyah O’Connor 

Songwriter: Sheldon Reid

Co-Writer: Ta’zyah O’Connor

Record Label: THE RUBICON REC. 

Album Art: Tazyah O’Connor 

Mastered and Mixed by: CRAZY D Studios.

Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.

Genre: Calypso 🎶

Empowering Caribbean Creatives

🎧 Listen. Share. Amplify. Kaiso Dial—Where Rhythm Lives. Calypso, Steelband, and Soca thrive every day, not just at Carnival. 🌴✨ Elevate Caribbean music and culture—be a cultural ambassador and spread the word! 👉 Find us on Facebook and YouTube.

We present the music here for your listening pleasure and promotional purposes only, adhering to the "Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976. Kaiso Dial/Calypso Music Blog © 1990 by Santiwah is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.

♫Please press the music player button below to listen now (small triangle in the Music player/TV Frame).

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