Twenty-nine of the world's top soca artistes, among them four from Caribbean islands, will face off at tonight's much anticipated battle-the bmobile International Soca Monarch Finals and Groovy Soca Monarch Finals. Tonight's "Fantastic Friday", which takes place at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, will decide who will claim the prestigious title as the greatest soca star in the world. Showtime is 9.30 pm.
The battleground is sure to be filled with fantastic performances in a competition that has been heating up over the past few weeks with competitive crosstalk among artistes. Tickets have all but disappeared from outlets as thousands surge forward to be a part of what is considered to be the biggest Soca Monarch Competition in the history of the event. Tonight could see surprise results in the Power category, as soca music's best compete in an intense and highly anticipated battle. Fan favourite, Machel Montano, would attempt to take "advantage" of the competition in a musical attack against the experience of Neil "Iwer, The Boss" George, Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez and Grenadian powerhouse Talpree among others in the Power category.
Defending monarch's in the power category, JW and Blaze, who won last year with their hit "Palance", will kick off the competition, performing at position number one. The reigning monarchs would try to hold on to their title while battling the top Caribbean artistes who are aiming for both the title and the chance to walk away with an unprecedented first prize of $2 million. The groovy category will see reigning Groovy Monarch Shurwayne Winchester defend his title against an onslaught of top performances by competition favourites, Benjai and Kes, as well as newcomers to the Soca Monarch stage, Megan Waldron, Jahmoun Mendoza, veteran calypsonian All Rounder and Synergy's 2011 Soca Star winner, Ras Star. The first prize winner of the groovy category recieves $500,000.
The competition will be televised live on CNC3. Guardian Media Ltd is an official sponsor of the event. Contestants in their respective categories will perform as follows:
bmobile International Power Soca Monarch:
1. JW and Blaze
2. Blood
3. Skinny Fabulous
4. Michelle Xavier
5. Shal Marshall
6. Tallpree
7. Iwer "The Boss" George
8. Nadia Batson and Patrice Roberts
9. Machel Montano
10. Destra Garcia
11. Ravi B
12. Bunji Garlin
13. Tian
14. Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez
Play Whe Groovy Soca Monarch
1. Ras Star
2. Jahmoun
3. Yankee Boy and Patch
4. Kes
5. Blaxx
6. All Rounder
7. Shurwayne Wincester
8. Destra Garcia
9. Chucky
10. Benji
11. Denise "Saucy Wow" Belfon
12. Patrice Roberts
13. Kerwin du Bois
14. Megan (Waldron)
15. Cassi