ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, August 8  — Newly crowned Soca Monarch Rio St. Paul, popularly known as Snakey, has set the record straight about his relationship with the legendary Grenadian calypsonian of the same name, following widespread speculation that the veteran performer is his father or grandfather.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with journalist Calistra Farrier after his winning Soca Monarch performance with “Raging Seas” on Friday night, St. Paul explained that there is no biological relationship between the two.

“He is really not my father, to be exact,” St. Paul said, while explaining why he nevertheless refers to the veteran performer as his grandfather.

According to St. Paul, the senior Snakey Boy played an important role in his mother’s life, helping to raise her. That connection, he said, is the reason for the deep respect and affection he has for the veteran entertainer.

“I just feel like I owe that respect for taking care of my mom,” St. Paul explained. “I really appreciate a lot from him to my mom.”

St. Paul said that, although people refer to the veteran as his grandfather, he accepts the description because of the relationship they share.

The senior Snakey Boy is a celebrated figure in Grenada’s calypso history and won the Road March title in the mid-1980s with the classic “Charmaine Darling.”

St. Paul acknowledged his influence and said he wished he could have witnessed that era firsthand.