The Committee for the 2012 Chutney Soca Monarch Competition, held annually in Trinidad, is urging local artists interested in participating to submit their songs for screening.
In a press release, the committee said the songs can be sent via email to gsingh@southex.co.tt or can be hand delivered to Kings Jewellery World located at Lot 141 Quamina Street, Georgetown. Submissions must include proper documentation, such as the name of the song, producer, the name of the artist and full contact details. The deadline for the submission is December 23.
According to the release, a number of new features have been added to the event and some stipulations have been made.
Artistes will not be allowed to use film melodies in their songs and only songs that have 100% original melodies and lyrics will be accepted. Also, their will be a screening exercise to ensure that lyrics and topics covered are positive.
The release added that the 2012 competition will feature local singers “in a major way.” Three Guyanese artists will be submitted to the Grand Final of the competition, after a screening process, and two local judges will be added to the panel “in case the technologies fail on the night.” In addition, the Grand Final will be broadcast live via satellite to Guyana and featured on a major TV network.
The event will be judged 100% by text votes and arrangements have been made with a local network to allow locals to participate. The contest will also be streamed live online to ensure maximum access.
In the 2011 contest, more than 50,000 persons from 69 countries logged on.
The Soca Monarch competition remains one of the most colourful productions in Carnival and 2012 will be no different as it reflects an embracing of the Caribbean spirit, Caribbean music and Caribbean people and incorporates the Theme “One – one Caribbean, One Music, One People”, the release said. The Grand Final will be held in Queen’s Park, Savannah, Port-of-Spain and will feature a live concert performance by Machel Montano and a major international act, together with the 15 artists that will be competing for the million-dollar prize. The Grand Final will be held on February 11, in Port-of-Spain.
