The recent Soca Monarch competition was absolutely electrifying!
Ricky T’s intense and raw performance of “Look Something to Talk About” was truly remarkable, and Sly’s rendition of “Damn Proud Lucian” was simply outstanding, outshining the competition, at the Saab, Vigie, on Saturday (July, 6).
The energy from the crowd was incredible, and the support for the artistes was truly inspiring. It’s clear that the Soca Monarch competition is a must-see event with its fierce, intense, and lively performances.
We can’t wait to see what next year brings!
The event was a massive success, with heightened energy and support from the crowd, and the title winners each received a prize of $40,000.
Ricky T, aka ‘The Teasel’ and his crew loosely clad delivered in J’ouvert mode as they jumped and pranced to a fiery number.
Ezra D’Funmachine was 1st runner -up with BeYoutiful, as he continues to generate the monument with lively fun-filled and ‘jumpy-tempo’ performances. The formidable three-some of Bronxx, Matta, and Ricky T took the 2nd runner-up spot with “Better Than Them,” while defending champion Imran Nerdy came 4th with “Start Di Party”.
Sly put on a dashing performance with his popular “Damn Proud Lucian’’ to eclipse the 6-time Groovy Soca Monarch Arthur Allain. And though ‘King Arthur’ was finally knocked off his throne, he did perform favourably with another up-tempo selection entitled “Seven Times”.
Ricky T took the 2nd runner-up spot with “Its not Your Turn” and Imran Nerdy, in the 3rd runner-up position with “Money”.
In a post show interview with The Voice, Ricky T commented candidly on his new reign as the Power Soca champion and the energy that continues to drive his performances, motivated by his large fan base and support, which he describes as “huge, massive, and all over the world.”
On him incorporating more youthful energy into his skits and presentations, Ricky T declared: “The journey is good, everything is good, it’s just that you can’t die with the talent.”
“The talent is there…(and) we have to share the talent with the younger generation,” he added. “It’s generation after generation, so we have to keep on doing what we’re doing and just keeping doing the best at what we do.”
On his preparations for the show and the accompanying cast of performers, he said: “It’s just natural talent …it’s carnival so we keep doing what we’re doing. To make sweet music and to make carnival sweeter and better and upgrade the vibes.”
Carnival Planning and Management Committee [CPMC] representative Claude Paul stated, “It was a wonderful night for Soca music, starting with the Groovy (segment) …and the crowd was very much satisfied.”
With the increase in prize monies ($40, 000) for each winner in the respective singing categories, serving as an added incentive, Paul said, “The overall prizes for the three competitions adds to half -a- million dollars…that it what the government provides to the sector.
“The crowd support and response remind me of (shows) at the Mindoo Phillip Park [MPP], back in the day …and I feel that overall, it was good night for calypso and soca and for our music.”
[R.A]