AKIMA WINS!!! AKIMA WINS!!!  AKIMA WINS!!!

New York, August 29, 2009 -- On Thursday 27th August, Akima Paul, former National Calypso Monarch of Grenada, captured the title of UK Calypso Monarch to a sold out crowd.

Akima, a lawyer by profession, sang in first place, and delivered a rousing performance of her hit tune for the season,  "Passport Love," a humorous but biting chronicle of the circumstances that lead to marriage fraud or "marrying for one's papers." A crowd favourite, dressed as an immigration officer, and then slowly changing on stage to become a bride, the young Grenadian had the crowd chanting "Dey want dey passport."

She dethroned last year's Monarch, Giselle Carter who had to settle for second place; and Beverly Browne, Brown Sugar, a former two-time Monarch was second.

Akima admitted feeling happy and relieved. "It is such a long time since I have taken part in competition, and I am just happy to know that I still have it," she chuckled. "Because of the format of the show, I only had to sing one song, and lots of people really liked my more serious piece "The Audacity of Despair" which tells why Britain's black men's failure is so endemic; so I am just happy that I decided to take the chance with Passport Love".

This is the first time in the history of the 20 year old tent that a Grenadian has won the title of UK Calypso Monarch. As part of her prize, Akima will be traveling to Trinidad ad Tobago during the Carnival season and performing in one of the tents.

Akima thanks her mum for her support, and all her friends and family in London.