Legacy, the annual Independence showcase of Saint Lucian talent in calypso and soca alongside iconic regional performers, once again proved the enduring power of vintage music.
Staged at the Pavilion in Rodney Bay – an arena tailor-made for Lucian calypso and soca gladiators – the event featured this year’s special guest, Destra, the undisputed queen of bacchanal.
Fans made their usual early pilgrimage to secure seats, while a younger crowd added fresh energy to what has quickly become the year’s first must‑talked‑about event. Among the audience were dignitaries, including Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and Minister of Education Kenson Casimir.
The night opened with newcomer Anwar’s refreshing take on TC Brown’s Where Are They Now, setting the tone for other rising voices: De Vine with Not Built for Backup, J’urgen’s Boom Boom Bye Bye, and Ti Carro’s Where Do We Go From Here.
Legacy is known for its surprises, and this year’s came courtesy of former Culture Minister Damian Greaves, once a calypsonian under the name Short Pants, whose classic Haiti struck a chord with the audience.
The return of Black I and Yati with Rambo Diplomacy was warmly received, their long absence from the stage making the performance all the more poignant. Educator, known for his versatility in performing in Kweyol and English, followed with uptempo numbers like Manifesto and Calypso Tyson, proving calypso can be as dance‑driven as it is lyrical.
By the time Ashanti, “the people’s calypso king”, appeared, the venue was standing‑room only. His set built to a powerful close with Sufferers Song, better known as Malayway, a piece widely regarded as one of the finest calypsos ever written.
Fans were also treated to a rare sighting of X‑Man performing De Speaker, before Mantius, a former OECS Soca Monarch, reignited road‑march memories with Fire Burn Dem, She She, and Making Love.
After a short intermission, Ricardo delivered a medley of classic Caribbean soca hits, paving the way for Arthur and Teddyson John to keep the party momentum alive.
The energy peaked when MC Ezi Hall introduced Destra. Dressed in a sheer black top with matching shorts and sneakers, she unleashed crowd favourites including Lucy, Bonnie & Clyde, Tremble It, and It’s Carnival. Her set evoked the days when sneakers, short pants, and a rag were the essential carnival attire – before phones and cups replaced them. Fans did not mind the bonus of her new track, Happy People (Sourness).
Yet Legacy wasn’t done. Alpha, a former Soca Monarch, closed the night with a short but crowd-pleasing set. From the first note of Cyar Wait through Freedom and In De Ark, the audience was on its feet, demanding more even as the curtain fell.
Now in its ninth year, Legacy has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of Saint Lucia’s entertainment calendar, not just for Independence, but as a celebration that resonates year‑round.
