Fantastic Friday in Trinidad: the Soca Monarch Special

Will Machel win the Power? Image via Wikipedia.It’s Fantastic Friday in Trinidad, which for many means one thing only: it’s time for the International Soca Monarch!

This year, the competition has benefitted from a kind of perfect soca storm, with the race for the Groovy and Power Soca titles tighter than ever. The longer than usual Trinidad Carnival season has produced some of the best soca in recent years, by all accounts, and the new TT$2 million first prize in the Power category has lured artists like Machel Montano HD, Bunji Garlin, Destra Garcia, and Iwer George back to the competition stage.

In the Groovy category (which, however, only has a TT$500,000 first prize), top contenders include the “Wotless” Kees Dieffenthaller; new “Trini” superstar Benjai; and soca siren Destra Garcia looking to “Cool it down” for all the men! And would it be foolish to count out the oldest competitior in the race, All Rounder, who delivered an unforgettable (if not a little disturbing) “Body Wine” performance at the semis?

In the Power category, things are even tighter. Frontrunners include multiple-title winners (and husband and wife) Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez (should we “Consider it Done”?) and Bunji Garlin (who certainly won’t “Hold a Burn” if he wins yet another Soca Monarch title); Machel Montano HD trying to take “Advantage” of the opportunity to win his first Soca Monarch crown; Destra Garcia hoping that the crowd will give her $2 million “Welcome Back”; and, never to be under-estimated, Mr. Iwer George who beckons the title with “Come to Meh”. In fact, we heard recently that Iwer performed his lone 2011 release for 30 full minutes at a recent major fete, with the crowd eating out of his hands.

Here are the other top artists and their order of appearance for tonight’s final at the Hasely Crawford Stadium:

Groovy Soca Category
1. Ras Star
2. Jahmoun
3. Yankee Boy & Patch
4. Kees Dieffenthaller
5. Blaxx with Roy Cape
6. All Rounder
7. Shurwayne Winchester
8. Destra Garcia
9. Chucky
10. Benjai
11. Denise Belfon
12. Patrice Roberts
13. Kerwyn DuBois
14. Megan Waldron
15. Cassie

Power Soca Category
1. JW & Blaze
2. Andy “Blood” Armstrong
3. Skinny Fabulous
4. Michelle Xavier
5. Shal Marshall
6. Tallpree
7. Iwer George
8. Nadia Batson & Patrice Roberts
9. Machel Montano
10. Destra Garcia
11. Ravi B
12. Bunji Garlin
13. Tian Winter
14. Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez

This year has also introduced a war of words (whether staged or genuine) between some of the soca artists that has left some fans angry and saddened. There are also ongoing debates about the presence of radio DJs in the soca arena; whether certain interests control exactly who gets how much airplay on the radio; whether foreign artists should headline Carnival fetes; and about how to market soca to an international audience.

Meanwhile, popular and ever-controversial comedian and entertainer, Rachel Price, has been interviewing some of the season’s top artists on her popular Rachel Price Show – Carnival Edition. We’ve included interviews with some of the Soca Monarch frontrunners in this post, with several more available on her YouTube channel. They’re a great way to get to know the artists behind the music.

So whether you love or hate Trinidad Carnival, adore or abhore soca music, we wish you a safe and enjoyable Carnival season! Be safe, and enjoy the reign of the Merry Monarch!