NWAC National Calypso Queen Competition 2026 – Finalists Announced

It was a night when the bush judges went up against professional judges, and to the bush judges' dismay, it feels like the official judges got some of the results wrong! Don't laugh; this happens every year for every carnival competition. And, guess what, we actually enjoy it this way. C'est La Vie.

And here we are; congratulations to those who were selected! All the singers were deserving, but not everyone could make it to the finals. With thirty contestants, the finals would see the pool cut in half, vying for the coveted title. All of the singers who graced the stage at the NWAC National Calypso Queen Competition 2026, held at the John Cupid Carnival Village, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, gave stellar performances. After the competitive showcase of talent, sixteen finalists have been selected to advance to the grand finals, taking place on January 25 at Queen’s Hall.

Kaiso Dial celebrates every participant for their artistry, courage, and commitment to the calypso tradition. To those who did not make it, it means you are deserving; the world now knows that you are here to stay and will continue to deliver excellent music. Now we look forward to an unforgettable night of excellence as the finalists vie for the crown.

The Results are here. Here are the finalists:

• Aaliah Hinds—My Hero
• Alana Sinnete-Khan (Lady Watchman)—Not Venezuela
• Eunice  Peters—De Code
• Georgia McIntyre (The Messenger)—A Sense of Empathy
• Giselle Fraser—No Village Can't 
• Ife Alleyne—Real Victory 
• Joanne Gibson (Queen Voice)—The Last Birthday Party
• Judith Edwards (Jay Edwards)—Plus Size
• Kadija Jeremiah—Dat Ting
• Kerine Williams-Figaro (Tiny)—You Never Know
• Meguella Simon—My Child
• Naomi Sinnette—Talking Drum 
• Roslyn Reid-Hayes—Calypso Calling me
• Shinelle Cottoy Davis (Nelly Cottoy)—Ominira (Freedom)
• Stacey Sobers-Abraham (Stacey Sobers)—Greater Good 
• Tameika Darius—No Love 

Production Notes/Music Credits:

Event: NWAC Calypso Queen Competition 2026

Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.

Genre: Calypso 🎶

Empowering Caribbean Creatives

🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Calypso Dial, where rhythm lives. Steelband and Soca music pulse year‑round, not only at Carnival. 🌴✨  Help 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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A Sense of Empathy — Georgia “the Messenger” Mc Intyre

This is another short catch‑up post while we process the surge of new calypso drops.

Georgia "the Messenger" McIntyre delivers a poignant calypso amidst this season's flurry of new releases. A Sense of Empathy reminds us how quick we are to judge and slow to understand. 

Through stories of a hurting student, a struggling mother, and a migrant facing ridicule, McIntyre shows how easily compassion gets replaced by criticism. Her chorus—walk in my shoes—is the song’s heartbeat, urging us to see the humanity behind every struggle. 

It’s a simple message, but in times like these, it feels urgent. Humanity is in question, and if we understood that we were just visitors on this earth, we would make better use of the time we shared with each other. Remember to do more good, love each other, and never forget to show empathy for the plight of others. We are only here for a short stay!

Production Notes/Music Credits:

Song Title: A Sense of Empathy 

Performed by: Georgia "the Messenger" McIntyre

Co-writers: Georgia McIntyre (the Messenger) and Cindy Alleyne

Back-up vocals: Georgia McIntyre & Marilyn Edwards

Music Production: Roger Israel at Side Track Studios, Diego Martin

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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Strength of a Woman: Warrior Queen Sings Her Truth

This is another of our catch‑up posts while we process the surge of new calypso drops.

This calypso speaks softly yet powerfully. Strength of a Woman by Warrior Princess (Allana Salandy) is a tribute to the quiet endurance, emotional labor, and unrecognized strength of women who hold families and communities together.

It’s a song that offers flowers while they can still be smelled—honoring mothers, sisters, daughters, and partners who carry the weight without applause.

Please share this post with your social media contacts to help promote the song as well as Kaiso Dial. What do you think about the song? Please leave your comments.  

Production Notes/Music Credits:

Song Title: Strength of a Woman 

Artist/Performed by: Warrior Queen 

Written and Composed by: Allana (Warrior Queen) Salandy

Produced by: Reuben Cruickshank of 'Provacative Productions'

Mixed & Mastered by: Money Circle Records

Singer - Allana (Warrior Queen) Salandy

Background Vocals -  Allana (Warrior Queen) Salandy

Trumpet—Christopher Sam (Ultra Brass Studios)

Alto sax—Brigid Sam (Trinisaxtress)

Guitar—Reuben Cruickshank (Provacative Production)

Bass—Reuben Cruickshank (Provacative Production)

Artwork—Lester (John oh Cool) Salandy

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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What Is the Purpose of Kaiso Dial?

Kaiso Dial exists to rebalance the cultural conversation... It's all about Calypso!  

We believe in Calypso; however, as you know, Soca dominates the spotlight at Caribbean-styled carnivals—and rightly so, as it drives fetes, road energy, and global Caribbean visibility—while Calypso often gets pushed to the margins. But Calypso is not a relic. It is the foundation, the memory, the social conscience, and the storytelling heart of Trinidad & Tobago’s musical identity.

My goal with Kaiso Dial is to change the narrative around Calypso.  

I want people to seek new Calypso music with the same excitement and urgency they bring to new Soca releases, not because the genres are competing, but because both deserve space, respect, and discovery.

Kaiso Dial is here to:

• Document and celebrate new Calypso music, not just the classics
• Highlight the artistry, writing, and cultural intelligence that define the genre
• Create a home for Calypso lovers who feel underserved in the digital space
• Introduce Calypso to younger listeners who may only know Carnival through Soca
• Preserve the storytelling tradition that shaped everything we now call Caribbean music

Calypso may not dominate the party circuit anymore, but it still shapes how we understand ourselves. It still asks the hard questions. It still carries the humor, the wit, the commentary, the history, and the soul of the people.

Kaiso Dial is my contribution to ensuring that Calypso remains visible, respected, and alive—not just during competition season, but year‑round.

• That’s the mission.
• That’s the purpose.
• That’s the work.

Production Notes/Music Credits:

Song Title: Calypso (2021)

Artist/Performed by: Terri Lyons 

Written by: Terri Lyons

Produced by: Ato Williams (5ive Line Productions)

Engineered (Mixed & Mastered) by: Zigboy Production

Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.

Genre: Calypso 🎶

Empowering Caribbean Creatives

🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Calypso Dial, where rhythm lives. Steelband and Soca music pulse year‑round, not only at Carnival. 🌴✨  Help 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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Lexi Calls for Spiritual Warfare in “Cast Dem Out”

Lexi’s “Cast Dem Out,” produced by Damion Preston and penned by AA, is a fierce calypso cry against the moral decay gripping the nation.

The cry is heard from the north to the south, east and west. The news of  violence and missing persons due to media sensationalism and political disconnect is the norm. Lexi lays it bare—not all battles are physical. She urges listeners to confront wickedness with spiritual light, scripture, and prayer, casting out evil through divine intervention.

The refrain is clear: “Ring the bell, shut them up, lock them up… use your words and attack.”  

This is calypso as spiritual resistance—bold, unflinching, and rooted in truth.

Material wealth and power won’t save us. Lexi reminds us: true change starts within.  We must all face reality, and yes, it's time to banish all these demons, material and spiritual. 

Production Notes/Music Credits:

Song Title: Cast It Out

Artist/Performed by: Lexi 

Written by: AA

Produced by: Damion Preston 

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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NWAC Calypso Semi Finals Take the Stage Today

The journey to the crown heats up as the NWAC Calypso Semi Finals unfold today, bringing together some of the nation’s sharpest female lyricists, storytellers, and cultural voices. The show takes place at the John Cupid Carnival Village at the Queen's Park Savannah. Thirty ladies will compete for a place in the finals scheduled to take place on January 26, 2026. 

Expect a full spread of artistry—social commentary, humor, melody, and that unmistakable calypso fire—as performers compete for a place in the Finals. Note that "The National Women's Action Committee" is hosting the first-ever Semi-Final of the National Calypso Queen Competition.

This edition features major updates, including a new semi-final round and rule changes allowing past winners (who haven't claimed other major titles like Calypso Monarch) to return for up to two victories. Newsday.

Stay tuned for results, standout performances, and highlights as the action unfolds. The finals are scheduled to take place at Queen's hall on January 25, 2026. Calypso season is officially in full swing.

We updated the YouTube Player:

The edited show has replaced the live extended show below. We did this so that you can watch the performances without the delays and other activities that took place during the live show. 

Empowering Caribbean Creatives

🎧 Share. Amplify. This is your Calypso Dial, where rhythm lives. Steelband and Soca music pulse year‑round, not only at Carnival. 🌴✨  Help 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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The Iron Man Emerges: Def Prince’s Call to Defend the Land

This is a short catch‑up post while we process the surge of new calypso drops.

Def Prince introduces a new kind of hero in Iron Man—one forged in fire, rhythm, and redemption. The song tells the story of a man who once supplied weapons but changed course with help, transforming into a protector who now fights crime and malice.

If you were looking for a mantra from this song, then look no further than the chorus: “I am the Iron Man.” It’s both a warning and a declaration. Criminals beware—the Iron Man has surfaced.

The song also celebrates rhythm and resistance. A woman creates music with iron, and when instruments are missing, Iron Man steps in to supply the sound. Our carnival culture exploits the use of D'Iron—from the steelband's engine room to protest.

Iron Man blends personal transformation with community strength, reminding listeners that even those with a troubled past can become defenders of the land.

Production Notes/Music Credits:

Song Title: Iron Man

Artist/Performed by: Keith "Def Prince" Wason 

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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KWANZA Celebrations in San Fernando, Trinidad

Dr. David Mohammed and Brother Anthony De Cares were joined by Ras Kommanda, Kinte, Abebele, Hamidullah, and Nerukhi. 

Article by Nerukhi: Anthony De Cares’ 51st Annual Kwanzaa Observance

January 1st 2026 saw the 51st Anniversary of Kings Row/Sanctity Kwanza Observance spearheaded by Anthony De Cares. The event took place at Sancity Steelpan Theatre, Carib Street, San Fernando.

The highly energized and motivated audience was treated to an evening of inspirational lectures, dynamic calypso performances, African drumming, and displays of fine art, crafts, and jewelry, as well as recent publications and historical and cultural information.

Bro De Cares emphasized the importance of Unity and purpose and addressed the need for the community to become single-minded if important goals were to be accomplished.

The feature address was by Dr. David Mohammad (recently appointed Chairman of the board of NALIS), who in his powerful and compact address re-emphasized the need for unity and the importance of support for each other in developing self-sustaining communities and society. He also addressed the critical role that thoughts play in perception and decision-making and the need for us to carry proper thoughts.

Sis Jemma Joseph of the Southern Emancipation Committee shared the seven principles of Kwanzaa—Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).

Awards were distributed to John Barnard (founding member), Joseph Alexis, Mrs. Ann Arrindell, and Bro. Selvon Omari Samuel.

The audience was treated to performances by Veteran Calypsonians Abebele, Ras Kommanda, Kinte, Hamidullah and El Drago as well as inspirational songs from Nerukhi, sweet sweet pan from Allan Cardinale, Afro drumming from Ujama Ambatana, and sweet sweet pan from Allan Cardinale.

Also featured in the evening were a book display by Bro. Selvon Omari Samual, jewelry by Bro. Perrot, an informative display by Afro Image, and a display of fine art by National Artist Nerukhi.

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Code 868: Candy Kay Stands Firm in Love for Home

This is a short catch‑up post while we process the surge of new calypso drops.

Code 868 speaks to the realities many citizens face while holding on to pride, faith, and love for Trinidad and Tobago. Candy Kay acknowledges fear, frustration, and the pressures that push people to consider migrating, yet she makes a heartfelt case for staying rooted in home and identity.

The song addresses some of the reasons people have for leaving—feeling unsafe, feeling under strain—with reminders of what makes Trinidad and Tobago a “blessed island” and a “party nation.”  Indeed, Trinidad is a beautiful nation, and everywhere you go, there are unsavory agents in society. Yes, there may be problems, but this is still a beautiful nation and home.  Candy makes her case and sells it brilliantly. 

For those abroad, the message may feel personal. But the deeper point stands: leaving doesn’t mean loving home any less. Code 868 simply invites reflection on what binds us to our country, wherever we live.

Production Notes/Music Credits:

Song Title: Code 868

Artist/Performed by: Candy Kay 

Written by: Colin “CJ” Jackman & Jason “Stumps” Lewis

Arranged, Produced, Mixed & Mastered by: Roland Richards

All Instruments Played by: Roland Richards

Recorded at: Yardsoul, New Jersey, USA

Vocals Recorded at: Candy Kay Recording Studio

Background Vocals: Candy Kay

Video Animation: Candice “Candy Kay” Corbie

Photography: Amanda Elliott Media

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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