Roderick “Chucky” Gordon is aiming for a hat-trick in the 2016 Calypso Monarch competition. On February 7, Chucky, 29, will challenge 11 other finalists at the Dimanche Gras show for the coveted title and $1 million first prize.
The only calypsonian who has won the monarchy three consecutive times was Slinger Francisco (The Mighty Sparrow), while deceased Kelvin Pope, better known as the Mighty Duke, went down in the history books for capturing the crown four times in a row.
With two back-to-back victories already in the bag, Chucky, who is pursuing a Masters in Human Resource Management at the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business, has his eyes set on the top prize again this year.
“I am looking forward for a third victory. The beautiful thing about moving into a third victory is that there are no attachments associated with the outcome. I am just going to put my best foot forward and let everything fall into place. It all boils down to performance, execution, and believing in what you sing. This is what I did the last two years.”
Chucky netted $1 million in 2014 and $1 million again in 2015 after he defeated his rivals. Minutes after being crowned the champ last year, Chucky dedicated his success to his deceased father, Roland Gordon, who encouraged and pushed him to enter the calypso fraternity.
Gordon passed away six years ago. “My father saw a talent in me that I couldn’t even see.” In 2012 Chucky entered the Independence Monarch competition which he won. He said this gave him the confidence he needed to move on to a new pursuit. It turned out to be successful beyond his imagination.
Chucky, who worked at the family court for four years providing support to vulnerable people to help improve their lives after graduating from the University of the West Indies, said that from that time there was no turning back.
“If he was alive today, he would have been so proud. He would have seen how I took his advice and how I have grown personally. I know he is smiling down on me from above.”
These days, not only is Chucky’s eyes set on the calypso crown, his heart is heavy about what is going on in his hometown—the hot spot area of Success Village, Laventille. He agreed that the infiltration of guns and drugs have been “fuelling” crime and the economy.
He feels establishing social programmes in Laventille is not a solution to reducing gang warfare, murders and violence, but what was needed, he said, was a “re-socialisation of people’s mindset and consciousness so individuals can see their full potential, creativity and skills.”
Chucky said people in his community lacked vision and awareness.
“The reason why T&T is in a rut is because of Laventille. The crime and culture have been exported to other communities. Some people are still in bondage and the stigma in Laventille perpetuates that.”
Though he has his heart set on helping his community to heal, Chucky said, “I have no regrets about the decision I made. Even though I don’t do social work any more, I still give people advice where I live. So I still see myself as a singer and social worker.”
In the last two years, Chucky said he has grown as a song writer, while many doors and opportunities have also opened up for him.
“I have created my own identity in the music industry,” he said.
Last year, the entertainer toured and performed in several countries internationally, where he said his ditties were appreciated. As for the $2 million in prize money he collected so far, Chucky admitted that a large chunk was invested, while some was given to charity.
When he graces the stage at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Carnival Sunday night, he will perform two calypsoes—It ain’t go wuk and Trini, both of which are socio/nation-building songs. The calypsoes were penned by Fazaad Shageer, also known as Uncle Joe, while Ray Holman composed the melody. The soft spoken and shy singer also laughed about not having a special girl in his life.
“I am still single. Of course, I want to settle down and get married.”
Chucky spoke about soca not growing and artistes singing the same old “jam, wine, women, fete, rum, and hands in the air songs” that are not uplifting or taking the music industry forward. He described these songs as a revolving door.
“I am not satisfied with the level of soca...at which it is going...Artistes, to me, don’t care about the culture and artform. If you have people who don’t care it will implode.”
He said all the singers and fete promoters were interested in was making money. In the coming weeks, Chucky will release his first album.
“I also want to launch my own band called Chuck Gordon and Jiggy Calypso some time this year. This is what I have my heart set on doing. This is my goal.”
Chucky said jiggy calypso has an infectious beat.
“It’s a song that people could appreciate and party to.”