Cro Cro placed too high in Calypso Monarch compettition: Warner

Minister of Works and Transport Jack Warner thinks Weston “Cro Cro” Rawlins placed too high in the national Calypso Monarch compeitition, which was won by 26-year-old says Karene Asche whose performance he called deserving of the crown.

Cro Cro's presentation chastised people of African origin for not supporting Patrick Manning in the 2010 general election. He performed first and placed 11 out of 12.

Warner said Asche's work was commendable. “Look at the calypso that won the monarch, it’s not one that was bitter, acrimonious and denigrating but one I found to be uplifting and there were some criticisms made which we have to look at.

“But look at the Cro Cro... someone asked me what I thought about how he placed and I said he came too high because the age for those kind of compositions is over.

“For the next five years you will sing on Kamla and Jack and the Government. You have to find other things to sing on. That is a legacy of the past.”

Warner said he was not bothered by criticism in the calypsoes. “People throw stones at trees that bear good fruit and therefore when people throw stones and jabs at the Government then it’s because the Government is functioning," he said.

“We shall look at what people are saying and see if there is any merit in their criticism and adjust to suit and where there is no merit, we move on,” he added.

With respect to some of the negativity, he said: “Many of these things are inspired by the PNM and their supporters so therefore one must take everything with a pinch of salt." 

He didn't think politics influenced the results. “For once I find the judging wasn’t too bad but as I said before, Cro Cro came too high,” Warner added.