Originally posted on the blog Sokah2Soca (www.sokah2soca.com). We bring you only the best new music, while Island Vybe Radio rocks it live on the air!
Despite TUCO's deceptive tactics and their aim to maximize revenue from the broadcast, the show continued, and Yung Bredda's versatility excelled on stage. Those who planned to watch a free show and those who paid had different experiences. Some of us, upset by TUCO's last-minute dollar swing, opted to listen to online audio feeds, while others paid to attend. Here is the thing, and Tuco needs to get this right. The audio that went along with the video feed was superior to the radio feed provided online. The audio-only feed did not do justice to the performances; it was poor audio! That is not a major selling point for the promotion of live Calypso shows. The quality, whether paid or free, should be top -notch! The future of the art form depends on engineers doing not only their best but also ensuring that the broadcast is top tier by monitoring the outgoing feeds.
Listening via audio only left much to be desired, then came Yung Bredda, and he literally gave the audience an energy boost. Listening, one could tell that the vibe at Skinner Park changed. Fortunately, I was able to see the video performance not long after he came off stage, and it made a big difference watching and, more importantly, listening to a better quality audio feed. Yung Bredda was immaculately dressed; he looked like a winner! At the beginning of his performance, there was a technical hiccup with the microphone that was quickly fixed by the technicians on duty for the event. This young man can sing, and his nation-building song resonated with the audience. He performed flawlessly, never missing a beat vocally. Yung Bredda's stage presentation was excellent, with his dancers moving in sync with the music and vocals. It's important to acknowledge that Yung Bredda contributed significantly to a show that was merely cruising along without actively engaging the audience. Yung Bredda was the star of the event, and Machel Montano should not underestimate this young emerging artist. Yung Bredda's grip on the young people could propel him as a favorite to win the Calypso Monarch title for Carnival 2025.
As the show progressed, there were several credible performances, but one has to think that most of the songs, while well written and delivering excellent messages, may not have the "total package" to excite the audience and bring about that champion environment to elicit winning scores from the judging panel. Don't misunderstand; Lani K, Twiggy, Terri Lyons, Helon Francis, Kurt Allen, and my personal favorite, Kerice Pascall, all gave excellent performances. Everyone will question the judging rubric after all is said and done, but eventually, the judges decisions will be final.
Akhenaton Lewis, aka Yung Bredda, and his rising calypso, "We Rise," injected life into TUCO's Calypso Fiesta and the talk of the town. In the hearts and minds of those who took the time to watch and listen yesterday, Yung Bredda was the best Skinner Park offered yesterday. This is the year that Yung Bredda became a star, and if you love "The Greatest Bend Over" or his uplifting Calypso, "We Rise," one thing is for sure: he is here to stay and a force to be reckoned with.
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Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event: Calypso Fiesta 2025
Contestant #9: Akhenaton Lewis, aka Yung Bredda
Venue: Skinner Park, San Fernando
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Calypso
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