Gypsy, a former
Junior Culture Minister under Basdeo Panday’s United National
Congress (UNC) Administration in 2000, is blaming his omission from
the Revue on his political affiliation.
The veteran calypsonian said in an interview with TnT Mirror the
Revue management told him, just days before the tent threw open
its doors at the Arima Velodrome, there was no room for him in the
22-member cast.
He wants to know why a seasoned calypsonian, who has won nearly
every calypso competition, except the Road March, could not fit
in among the Revue cast.
“I received certain information that the order from me to
be dropped from the Revue was a ministerial decision.
“The tent was told that if I am among the cast, the ministry
will pull back its funding of the tent,” Gypsy said.
“I am an entertainer.
“What my political affiliation has to do with my profession
as a calypsonian?” he asked.
Gypsy said he has no plans of trying to join any other calypso tent
for this year and is looking forward to releasing his CD soon.
Sources at the Revue say one of the reasons Gypsy was dropped was
because of his fears that he may face an irate crowd, who may want
to heckle and boo him.
The former Ex-Tempo King, over the past two years has come under
attack for joining the UNC from supporters of the ruling People’s
National Movement (PNM).
Last year, he was also dropped from a calypso show organised by
Randy Glasgow at the Jean Pierre Complex following a threat by calypso
fans to boycott the event if he made an appearance.
Two of his popular calypsoes were The Ship Is Sinking and Little
Black Boy. |
