Dezral delivered an extraordinary performance over the past weekend, clinching back-to-back titles in two challenging contests that cemented his place in the annals of local carnival entertainment history.
The talented protégé and son of former eight-time Kaiso Monarch, Mighty Pep, went toe-to-toe with fierce competitors, showcasing his prowess in a gritty contest over two nights, where the stakes were high for the coveted prizes and substantial monetary rewards.
Dezral achieved the remarkable feat of retaining the Kaiso Monarch title while winning the Power Soca Monarch crown the night before.
The competition heated up on Friday, with artists fiercely contesting in the Groovy and Power Soca categories, each determined to leave their mark.
Teaming up with Jardel, Dezral captured the Power Soca title with their hit, “The Car.”
On Saturday night, he returned to retain his Kaiso Monarch crown with two poignant performances.
In the opening round, Dezral paid tribute to two of Saint Lucia’s top-calypso legends—Mighty Pelay, who has passed, and Mighty Pep—honoring the Kaiso GOAT, with his rendition and following up with “The Immigrant,” addressing the USA’s stringent ICE deportation policies.
In a tight finish, Dezral secured victory with a score of 766 points, only two points ahead of first runner-up, TC Brown, who scored 764. TC Brown delivered strong lyrics and flow with “My Choice,” a political satire supporting Mr. Pierre as the nation’s leader, while advocating for the promotion of calypso at major events.
The other artists also showcased their talents, presenting a diverse mix of literary content with dynamic accompanying props.
In her debut performance, the 2024 Carnival Queen, Lushanne, impressed and took 3rd place with 755 points, performing “How We Love Thee” and “Crown Them,” which celebrated the pivotal role of women in society.
Veteran performer and former Kaiso Monarch Educator earned 4th place with 742 points, delivering “Drunk Cars,” a witty critique of drunk driving, and “Great Again,” praising PM Philip J. Pierre’s leadership.
Other notable performers included Ti Carro, Mystic, Menell, Juiceman, Ashe, and Mighty Sizzler. Each brought unique compositions to the stage, enriching the carnival experience with their creativity.
Groovy and Power Soca Contest Highlights
The Power Soca segment on Friday saw Dezral and Jardel electrifying the crowd with their performance of “The Car,” while the other top performances included:
– 2nd Place: Ricky T & Hollywood HP – Freak Out
– 3rd Place: Ezra D’Funmachine – Miserable
– 4th Place: Ti Blacks & Imran Nerdy – We Di Vibe
Other commendable performances presented were -Bronxx & Mata – Mash Up Party; Ninja Dan and Sizzler – Tewe Vaval; QPid & Ricky T – Run; Carlton “CR” Roberts – Pace Yourself; Mica & Imran Nerdy – I Am Soca; and Kisha Kay – Burn up de party.
Imran Nerdy emerged victorious in the Groovy Soca Monarch title with his powerful rendition of “Warning,” a reflection on the pain of infidelity – and one of the more popular tunes for the 2K25 season.
The winners’ lineup included:
– Winner: Imran Nerdy – Warning
– 1st Runner-Up: Ricky T & Arthur Allain – Praises
– 2nd Runner-Up: Sly – Cyah Believe It
– 3rd Runner-Up: Ti Blacks – What is Mine
The opening round featured exhilarating performances, setting the tone for the evening. All artists, including MNR, Mata, Bronxx, and Kishay Kay, brought infectious energy to the stage, captivating the audience with their vibrant deliveries.
The opening round was dynamic, showcasing impressive performances over the first four acts. Arthur and Ricky T kicked things off with “Praises,” followed by Sly who energized the crowd with “Cyah Believe It.”
Neretti delivered a heartfelt rendition of “Thank God,” while Mantius contributed to the lineup with “They Wrong for That.” MNR brought the house down with her crew performing “No Sweeter,” and the rhythmic soca melodies continued as Mata and Bronxx added a lively touch with their party-style presentation of “Who Reach.”
Ti Blacks infused the event with energy through his performance of “What is Mine,” while Ezra D’Funmachine added cultural flair with “Dance With Me.”
Kishay Kay, always a crowd favorite and known as the ‘Darling of the Party,’ continues to grow in popularity, delivering her upbeat performance of “Different Energy,” another fan-favorite tune.
In recognition of his stellar achievements, Dezral and his crew collectively garnered a staggering $80,000 over the two nights—$40,000 per title crown.
Other contenders also received their deserved prize allotments, ranging from $15,000 – 4 th, $20,000 – 3 rd, and $30,000 – 2 nd place, while all performing artists were compensated for their contributions.