For a second consecutive year, Nicole Thomas-Clarke topped the TUCO Tobago Calypso Monarch competition. Known for her soul-searching and spirited compositions, Nicole shares her story in this week’s I Love Tobago.
For over twenty years, Nicole has been bringing hard-hitting messages to the calypso stage and wowing judges, gaining her top spots in the Tobago arena.
“So, the Tobago Carnival Monarch has only been around for four years, and I have won the title three times. Dillon won it in, I think it was 2023. Prior to that was the normal Tobago Monarch – I won that four times. The Windward Monarch, I think it was about twelve times I won the Windward Calypso Monarch.”
At the recently concluded Tobago Carnival 2025, Nicole defeated nine other contenders and took the title for a second consecutive year in the TUCO Tobago Calypso Monarch 2025 competition.
“It was a moment of joy, gratitude, humility. Every year has its challenges, and to stand strong for yet another year means that the team is doing something right, and as the message continues to connect with the audience.”
Nicole shared the secret to her success.
“I would say my spiritual, soul-touching style, coupled with my passion and the A-class team that I work with, contribute to my winnings.”
She explained that her family’s support plays a critical role in her being able to balance family life, work, and preparations for competition.
“It’s a team effort, so my husband, Mr Clarke, helps me out a lot. Well, my daughter – she will be 15 next year – so she picks up the slack where needed. My baby, Nicholi, he is very supportive; he helps me learn the calypso, helps me with moves. So, it’s a family effort.”
Most fittingly, her 2025 composition was titled “Sacrifice.”
“‘Sacrifice reminds us that success is not an instant, now-for-now thing. It takes hard work, dedication, trust in the process, and a willingness to sacrifice today for a greater tomorrow.”
The calypso art form seems to run in the veins of this family, as Nicole and her siblings have been leading the way for many years. This year, once again, they blazed the trail — with Nicole taking the title, her sister Wendy Garrick placing second, and brother Dillon Thomas fourth.
“My brother, Sheldon Reid, he started it off. He is a former Young King Stars of Tomorrow finalist in the National Monarch in 1998, I think it was. He placed third, tying with Sugar Aloes. Wendy, my elder sister, former Tobago Queen about eight times, national semi-finalist. My younger brother, Dillon, he is also a Stars of Tomorrow winner, a finalist in the Young Kings, so the passion is there and the love for the art form.”
Her brother Sheldon Reid is the composer of all his siblings’ calypsoes.
“The magic seems to happen just about two months before the competition. So it is about getting the song, learning it, going into the studio, doing the music, working with props, and getting everything prepared within that two-month time frame.”
With many successes on the Tobago calypso stage, Nicole hopes to soon gain wins nationally.
“I have never been to the National Monarch. I have been to the semis, so I am working really hard, trying to strengthen all my weak areas. Re-watching past performances and seeing how I can improve.”
Nicole is encouraging her fellow calypsonians to continue working on their craft and strengthening their passion so that the calypso art form can remain alive in Tobago.