Eighteen artistes have been named for the Carib Soca Monarch semi-final showdown billed for New Amsterdam, Berbice on January 31.
According to a press release from the organisers, the competition began with 32 persons from which 18 were selected for the semi-final based on the lyrics, diction, originality, rendition and musical arrangement of their compositions.
The cream of these semi-finalists will move forward to the final set for February 14 at the National Park, where they will come up against last year’s Monarch Kwasi ‘Ace’ Edmondson.
The entrants include former three-time monarch Adrian Dutchin with “592 Possee”; former monarch Jumo, who was dethroned by Kwasi Ace, with his song “Unruly”; runner-up Lil Red with “Mash Up De Place”; along with veterans like Vanilla with “Massive”; Bonesman with “Ebola” and Levar Gittens with “Monster Attack”. The line-up also includes well-known artistes like: Jory with “Whistle”; Kemmy with “One For My Country”; Lady T, “Feva” and Chiney, “Mirrors”.
The other eight contenders are Ashanti, “Wickedee Wine”; Deniro, “Mash Up”; Zagga B, “I Ain’t Gon Be Late”; Nesta, “Ain’t Stopping”; De Venom, “Bumpa”; IIaman, “Right Now”; Ryan T, “Enjoying My Life” and Avalange, “She Ready”.
The winner of the competition will take home $1.5 million, while the first and second runners-up will receive $500,000 and $250,000 respectively.
The Carib Soca Monarch competition is sponsored by ANSA McAL’s Carib beverages.
