“The Saint Lucian artists, they held their own and for me, after they were through, Alpha was the icing on the cake. I got my money’s worth. It was epic!” – Phillip Sydney.
“The show was iconic, it was emotional, it brought back a lot of nostalgia, a lot of reminders of how important calypso is in telling our stories, our history and how it is an empowerment to the people. Also, looking at the performers from Barbados, Rupee and Alison Hinds, reminded me of an era that brought so much joy. This was a super important show.” – Fiona Compton.
“Splendid! A very magnificent show and if you realise, after the show had ended people actually stayed calling for more and that in itself is an indication of the satisfaction of the patrons.” – Cecil Charles.
Those were just a few of the voices reflecting the unanimous verdict that Legacy – Independence Edition 2025 was an awesome event.
There was a full house at the Pavilion venue in Rodney Bay on Saturday, comprising die-hard calypso fans and fete lovers, politicians, judges and lawyers.
Moreover, while the late 30s and up commanded the majority, one 20-something-year-old said her first time at Legacy was amazing and she could not wait for the next edition.
The event which opened with a performance by the reigning calypso monarch Dezral, featured once-in-a-lifetime gems including newcomer Ashe doing TC Brown’s classic Where Are They Now, and Floopsy returning to a calypso stage, to do Herb Black’s All in Me. Herb Black later joined the singer for a priceless moment.
Before the audience could get over that performance, two female calypsonians Ready and Mystic belted out the first two verses of Lady Leen’s Woman in a March before Leen herself joined from the audience with a conga line through the crowd.
Former monarch Ashanti also took his performance of Sufferers Song through the crowd, after he had brilliantly delivered Shanty Tell Them So and Empty Promises.
No surprise that Invader was unstoppable with Hold Me Tight, Carnal Knowledge and Lajan, before Robbie stirred up independence pride with I’m Gonna Make It.
In 1990, Translator had Carnival revellers in a frenzy on the road with Ninja in Saint Lucia while Maguiller created a stir in 1999 with D Rum. Both performers brought back those memories on Saturday.
Arthur closed off the first half of the show, proclaiming the mood as he sang Feeling Irie, and ending with I am Lucian.
For the second half, Kardo performed a medley of classics before Sly took to the stage with what could be described as the new national anthem. Twelve months later, Damn Proud Lucian still resonates and the singer comes across just as fresh. As Sly moved into Breakaway, hints of carnival were in the air, and as the baton was passed to Imran Nerdy, the inextricable link with that part of our culture to Independence, calypso and soca was quite vivid.
Money, Clock Out and Start di Party by Imran took the celebration to another level and by this time, hardly anyone was still seated.
“Whoa, look at people!” came the chant as Rupee came on stage and the audience screamed in approval. Injecting some humour in his set, Rupee delivered hits like What Happens in De Party, Enjoy Yourself, and Tempted to Touch, with energy. His touring DJ for many years, Saint Lucia’s Barry Hype certainly enhanced what was a splendid performance.
Alison Hinds continued on the theme of Caribbean unity, doing Togetherness. Derek Yarde of Saint Lucia would join her to perform the song Aye Aye Aye which they recorded in 1997. Iron Bazoodee, Roll It and Faluma were among the other hits that she delivered as the true Queen of Soca.
This could easily have been the finale–but there was more.
Former Groovy King and Soca Monarch Alpha brought the house down to end Legacy on a magical high with Cyar Wait, Dong de Road, Freedom and In De Ark.
As he exited the stage and Hall thanked patrons for coming, there were chants of “no, no we eh going home,” by some.
Sadly, it had to end, and organisers are already acknowledging the pressure to top Legacy 25 next year.
