The Mackenzie Sports Ground is set to come alive tonight when 15 soca singers square off to cop a place in this year’s final of the soca competition.
Organisers of the competition said the 15 were selected from some 20 entries to the sixth staging the competition.
The 15 will be whittled down to ten for the February 15 final at the National Park. Organisers of the competition have reported that this year the songs are good, the competition will be a stiff one. However, the competitors can breathe a sigh of relief as three time soca king, Adrian Dutchin, has this year opted not to participate. The reports are that he wants to give someone else a chance. Were he participating, he would have had a ticket straight to the final as he is the reigning soca king.
This year’s entries were judged on melody, rendition, diction and musical arrangement.
The 15 set to be on stage tonight include Orlando Johashen, known as ‘Bones’ and his song is titled “Any How”; Shelly G, whose real name is Shellon Garraway will be on stage with her song “Work It”; “No Judge” will come from Clinton Adolphus known as ‘Passion’ song, while Wilbur Levans, the former ‘Lil Man’ now known as ‘B52’ will be belting out “Circuit Overload”. Linden will also hear from Roger Hassell known as ‘Brains’ with “Wine On Me” and former road march queen Melissa Roberts known as ‘Vanilla’ will be doing a “Rude” rendition. Beverley Williams called ‘Little B’ has titled her song “Sharon’s Abuse”, Abigail Best will sing “Wine Pun De Bumper”; Mark Batson, “Festival Fever”; Stephen Dunbar, “Let Me Wine On You”; Tomeeka Thomas, “Wine and Shake”; and Euston Austin, “It’s Party Time”. There are also three duos, Reflections Crew will sing “Ghetto Loving”; Fire Clann, “Tsunami” and Purrsonality will belt out “Wet”.
Meanwhile, Digicel has come on board for this year’s Mashramani celebration by sponsoring three-time children’s calypso queen, Tennicia De Freitas in her first junior calypso performance.
A release from the company said the 17-year-old was set to be on stage last night in Mahaicony where she was expected to perform her satirical piece, “Texting”. The song, about an old man who enjoys an activity most popular among younger people – texting, was said to be one that would have the audience in an uproar.
De Freitas, who is confident about taking home the crown, was quoted in the release as saying: “I am very excited about participating, I believe my experience in recent competitions and my passion for calypso will certainly ensure a win. I am also elated that Digicel is supporting me in my quest for victory.
Not many corporate companies support calypso since it is a dying form of music in Guyana but Digicel’s support is proof that there is some hope for the revival of calypso.”
Over the past three years, she outshone her other competitors with songs like “Honesty”, “Tell Me Why”, and “Not Me” which were written and produced by Burchmore Simon of Kross Kolor Records. Simon has also written “Texting”.
