King Kairo: Nevis’ Calypso Monarch

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Born K-Jel Smithen in Nevis, King Kairo is a young calypsonian whose journey is rooted deeply in the culture and traditions of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
His unique stage name, King Kairo, is a combination of two of his middle names, chosen to create an identity that would be memorable while representing him as an artist. Growing up in Cotton Ground, known as the home of calypso giants, Kairo was surrounded by the art form from an early age. Over time, he came to understand that calypso was much more than entertainment. For him, it is a powerful form of storytelling, and social commentary and a way to encourage people to think about the issues affecting society.

Kairo entered the calypso arena in 2020 and also competed once in the Junior Calypso Competition once. Although he did not place, he sees the experience as an important part of his artistic development. His journey included a two-year break from competition, but he returned determined to continue developing his craft.

Primarily a vocalist and performer, Kairo describes his greatest instrument simply: “My voice is my weapon and my instrument.” Through his lyrics, stage presence and storytelling, he seeks to connect with audiences and use his voice as a vehicle for change. His inspiration comes from calypsonians and performers throughout St. Kitts and Nevis and the wider Caribbean—particularly artists who can entertain while delivering meaningful messages. He is drawn to performers who challenge ideas, tell stories and use their platforms to address issues affecting society.

Among his achievements, Kairo has won a local calypso competition in Nevis and has performed on significant cultural and entertainment stages. One of his proudest milestones came when he represented Nevis in Anguilla at the Leeward Islands Calypso Competition, taking his music beyond the shores of the Federation. His experiences extend beyond calypso to cultural performances, public speaking, pageantry and other competitions, all of which have contributed to his confidence, stage presence and ability to connect with an audience.

For King Kairo, calypso is ultimately about more than competition. It is about voice, culture, storytelling and connection. His journey reflects the continuing power of the art form to give Caribbean artists a platform to entertain, speak truth and represent their communities both at home and across the region.

CV: Is there any difference with how the calypso competition or the calypso arena was years ago compared to now?

King Kairo: Definitely. Calypso has always been an important vehicle for commentary and entertainment, but the environment surrounding the art form continues to evolve. Today, artists have access to social media, digital production, visual effects and other technology that can help them reach audiences in ways that were not possible years ago.

The competition has therefore become not only about the song, but also about presentation, staging, visuals, branding and how effectively an artist can connect with an audience. At the same time, I think we have to be careful that the spectacle never overshadows the substance. At its core, calypso should still tell stories, challenge people, make people laugh, make people think and sometimes make people uncomfortable.

I also think today’s calypsonians have to find ways to make the art form relevant to younger generations while preserving the traditions that made calypso what it is.

CV: What were the songs you sang for this year’s Calypso Competition?
King Kairo: This year I performed two songs: “Our Heritage Proud and True” and “Mailman’s Delivery.”

CV: Give us a breakdown of these songs.
King Kairo: “Our Heritage Proud and True” is a song rooted in heritage, identity and the importance of knowing where we come from. The song speaks to the things that make us Caribbean and, more specifically, the things that make us Nevisian.

I wanted to celebrate our traditions, our people and our history while also encouraging us to think about where development and progress fit within that heritage. For me, development should not mean that we lose the things that tell us who we are. The performance was therefore not simply about singing about heritage. I wanted to create a visual and emotional journey that reminded people that our heritage deserves to be protected, celebrated and passed on.

“Mailman’s Delivery” is a political satire piece where I take on the character of a mailman delivering letters to the Premier. The letters are essentially messages from the people, and through humour and satire, I make the case that it is time for the Premier to step down.

I wanted to approach the subject in a funny and creative way rather than simply standing on stage and telling people that the Premier should leave office. The concept of a mailman delivering letters allowed me to turn political commentary into a theatrical performance.
The humour is intentional, but underneath the comedy is a serious political message. Calypso has always given artists the freedom to question leaders and hold people in positions of power accountable. “Mailman’s Delivery” continues that tradition while putting my own personality and style into it.

CV: What advice do you have for young people who see you as a role model?
King Kairo: My biggest advice is to believe in yourself, even when other people haven’t caught up to your vision yet. You don’t have to have everything figured out at 18, 20 or 25. You are allowed to grow, make mistakes, change direction and start again.

I would also encourage young people to invest in themselves. Develop your talents, educate yourself, surround yourself with people who genuinely want to see you succeed and don’t be afraid to be different. Most importantly, don’t allow the fear of not being accepted to stop you from becoming who you are supposed to be.

CV: What was the thought process and message in your song from last year, “Protect Our Girls”?
King Kairo: “Protect Our Girls” was created as an anthem for survivors of sexual violence and for girls and women who have gone missing. The inspiration came from seeing the reality of what many girls and women face and recognising that these are not simply headlines or statistics. Behind every case is a human being, a family and a community affected by what happened.

I wanted the song to give a voice to people who may feel voiceless and to challenge society to stop treating these issues as something distant or somebody else’s problem. The title itself is a call to action: Protect Our Girls.

It is a message to parents, communities, institutions, leaders, men and women alike that protecting vulnerable people is a collective responsibility.

CV: Any advice you want to give to any particular group?
King Kairo: To the young people of St. Kitts and Nevis, I would say: don’t underestimate yourselves or the power of your voice.

To our cultural organisations and those responsible for developing calypso, I would encourage continued investment in the younger generation. Give young artists opportunities to experiment, learn and make mistakes while still respecting the foundation of the art form.

To the public, I would simply say: support our artists. Buy the music, attend the shows, share the performances and give constructive criticism. You cannot demand that an art form survives while refusing to support the people who dedicate themselves to it. And to my fellow calypsonians, keep telling the truth. Calypso does not have to please everybody. Sometimes the most important song is the one that makes people uncomfortable enough to think.

CV:  What can people expect from you in the future?
King Kairo: People can expect more music, more performances and more growth from King Kairo. I don’t want to be an artist who simply participates in competitions. I want to build a lasting career in the arts and continue developing my songwriting, performance and storytelling.

I also want to continue using my platform to address social issues, celebrate Caribbean culture and give people something to think about while still entertaining them. My journey is still very much in its early stages, so I am excited about what is ahead. I want people to watch the growth and see what King Kairo becomes.