Booster Shot: 2009 International Soca Monarch Finalists announced
>> Monday, February 9, 2009
De News:
Bunji Garlin,
Claudette Peters,
Faye-Ann Lyons,
Groovy Soca Monarch,
Iwer George,
Shurwayne Winchester,
Tizzy,
Trinidad Carnival,
Zan,
Zoelah
Ok, be honest! How many of you were watching that choppy live stream of Trinidad soca semis online yesterday instead of the Grammy's? I did AND I've got the results! Soca is MY music. So, I could barely wait for today to reach to find out who the judges were feeling.
Yesterday, the Arima Velodrome played host to the precursor for Trinidad Carnival's most hotly contested event. It's the place where careers are made, and soca stars are truly born....the 2009 bMobile International Power Soca Monarch competition and Whe International Groovy Soca Monarch competition.
Respect where respect is due. Sunday's Semis began right on time, and stage management was clearly handled with style and finesse. What seemed like a million and a half semi-finalists managed to take to the stage between 4pm and midnightish , all hoping for one of a handful of spots on Fantastic Friday. In the power category, there were only six available spaces to fill thanks to what I like to call the Caribbean Prestige Foundation's "Lesser Antilles Affirmative Action Plan." De man dem wan call de show INTERNATIONAL, so they made sure of it this year by actually guaranteeing a slot in the finals to each of the reigning 2008 Soca Monarchs/Party Monarchs/Power Soca Monarchs from the soca power house islands; Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
I didn't catch all, but I watched long enough to know that there are quite a few artistes who seriously mean business this year! The problem is, there just aren't enough spots at the main event for everyone who feels they paid they dues to get there. It's ONE MILLION TT DOLLARS at stake, so you better believe the gloves are off!
Who will reign victorious? Hell, if I know...but one thing is for sure, there is no place I would rather be on February 20, 2009!
Congrats to all who made it through. For all my soca family who didn't make the final cut, we all love your music just the same. Keep giving your all this season. Besides, the fans are the only judges you need to worry about!
Love and soca..
(Nurse) Karen
I don't wanna kill you with long talking. So, these are the lucky stars who shone bright enough to make their dreams come true.
Power Soca Monarch Finalists:
Bunji Garlin - Trinidad and Tobago (defending)
Claudette Peters - Antigua and Barbuda(seeded)
Khiomal Nurse - Barbados (seeded)
Luni Sparks and Electrify - Grenada (seeded)
Ricky T - St. Lucia (seeded)
Skinny Fabulous - St. Vincent and the Grenadines (seeded)
Berbice - Grenada
Blaxx - Trinidad and Tobago
Fay-Ann Lyons - Trinidad and Tobago
Iwer George - Trinidad and Tobago
Patrice Roberts - Trinidad and Tobago
Shurwayne Winchester - Trinidad and Tobago
Groovy Soca Monarch finalists:
Shurwayne Winchester - Trinidad and Tobago (defending)
Benjai - Trinidad and Tobago
Biggie Irie - Barbados
Fay-Ann Lyons - Trinidad and Tobago
Hunter - Trinidad and Tobago
Kerwin Du Bois - Trinidad and Tobago
Nadia Batson - Trinidad and Tobago
Patch and Mastamind - Trinidad and Tobago
Tizzy and Richard Trumpet - Antigua and Barbuda / Trinidad and Tobago
Zan - Trinidad and Tobago
Zoelah - St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Check Up
Ok, I know some of your favourite artists are missing in this list. That's because they didn't score high enough! In case you need a refresher, view the original list of semi-finalists here. Comment below. I'll save my comments for later!
5 x 2 cents (comment, nuh!):
I'm not satisfied with the finalists. I think the whole format of the Power Monarch and Groovy Monarch should be revised. In my opinion the Trinidadian artists are at a disadvantage; not only do they have to compete with themselves (and there are many artists in trinidad) they have to compete with artists from other islands who are gauranteed a spot in the finals. If you're going to gaurantee artists from other islands a spot in the finals then i think the number of finalists should be increased. Obviously if the number of entrants are increased then the show would be way too long. So i suggest this; the international groovy and power monarch should be held on different nights.Also i think there should be a local Trinidad Soca Monarch competition with the top 3 placed artists gaining automatic entry into the finals. The winners of the monarch from the other islands can still have their gauranteed spot while others who did not necessarily win the competition in their respective islands can still have a chance by competing in a preliminary round.
I agree with the fact the Trinidad artiste should not be disadvantaged in the competition.
Karen big up on the decision for the Grammy's and the "Lesser Antilles Affirmative Action Plan" lol.
I want to make a suggestion though. How about looking at a joint international monarch contest for Labour day. the largest Carnival in the World and certainly a neutral ground to have the International Soca Monarch. Besides just being fair it will be a platform to present soca to the world. NYC might just be the venue up to the task...
Of course the Soca Monarch Show is still a big part of the Greatest show on Earth, Trinidad Carnival.
Trinidad needs they own monarch!! then maybe they could have 1 representive at an international monarch even in ny or somewhere else! but good luck to all
As long as Fay Ann in both categories thats all i care about....3 crowns for u Fay!!!! Wooooo Hooooo
Fay Ann Lyons all the way
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