Joy Stoute, Dominica’s new Queen of Calypso, has made history by becoming only the second woman to win this prestigious title in over fifty years. Her victory is a major event that highlights not only her exceptional talent, but also the evolution of the Dominican calypso genre. In this article, we take an in-depth look at Joy Stoute’s career, the themes she tackles in her songs and the impact of her victory on the local music scene.
Calypso is a musical genre deeply rooted in Caribbean culture, particularly in Dominica. Historically dominated by men, the genre has seen the emergence of powerful female voices in recent years. Joy Stoute, with her stage name JOY, has managed to break barriers by winning the title of Calypso Monarch 2025, a feat achieved only once before by Tasha Peltier in 2011.
Background to the Monarque 2025 competition
The Monarch 2025 contest was marked by a strong presence of political and social themes. Calypsonians criticized the state of society and the attitudes of the island’s leaders. Among the ten finalists, Joy Stoute stood out for her songs which highlight serious social issues without directly naming individuals. Her performance was judged on four key criteria: lyrics, melody and presentation.
Joy Stoute's themes
In her two presentations, Joy Stoute tackled sensitive subjects with great sensitivity. Her first song, “Quest for Love”, is a poignant conversation between her and a boy who has been sexually abused since childhood. This theme is particularly important as it highlights the dangers posed to boys by sexual predators, a subject often overlooked in relation to girls who are victims of pedophilia.
"The Earth you walk on": a message for reflection
Joy Stoute’s second song, “The Earth You Walk On”, is a composition originally created by former calypso monarch Deryck St. Rose. This song is a wake-up call for those who feel superior to others and adopt postures of invincibility. Joy Stoute reminds us that “the earth you walk on will become your roof,” a powerful message that invites humility and awareness.
The dethronement of King Dice
Defending champion King Dice was dethroned by Joy Stoute. King Dice, who has won the title of Calypso Monarch ten times, presented a song entitled “Je vends mon passeport”, criticizing Dominica’s passport sales policy, which he claimed mainly benefited foreigners. His song attracted a lot of attention for its criticism of the Roosevelt Skerrit government.
Women's participation in the competition
Women’s participation in the Monarch 2025 competition was outstanding. In addition to Joy Stoute, three other women reached the final, including Shanice, who finished in second place. In 2011, Tasha Peltier became the first woman to win the title of Calypso Monarch in Dominica. In 2025, she also entered the competition, testifying to Joy’s crowning achievement in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Joy Stoute's impact on the Calypso scene
Joy’s victory marks an important turning point for women in Dominica’s calypso world. She is inspiring a new generation of female artists to speak out on crucial societal issues. Thanks to her powerful compositions, she has proved that female voices can be just as strong and influential as men’s in this musical genre.
Joy’s crowning as Queen of Calypso in Dominica is a historic event that underlines the importance of female voices in music and society. Her songs, which tackle themes such as the sexual abuse of boys and social arrogance, captivated audiences and judges alike. Joy is now an emblematic figure on the Dominican calypso scene, inspiring both through her talent and her commitment to social causes.
