Truly an honour to represent my hometown – Skinny

From the countless congratulatory posts on his Facebook page to the numerous mentions on Twitter and Instagram, social media was abuzz over the weekend after reigning Soca Monarch Gamal “Skinny Fabulous” Doyle {{more}} gave, arguably, one of the best performances of his career at the International Soca Monarch competition in Trinidad and Tobago.

Despite not securing a top spot in the Groovy Soca category in which he competed, Fabulous, professionally clad in black designer suit, French cuffed white shirt, skinny tie and dark shades, thrilled a packed venue at the National Stadium with his hit song, ‘Behaving the worst’.

From the moment Doyle hit the stage, fans began gyrating to the pulsating music; and it was not long before the confetti came raining down on a great performance by the four time local Soca Monarch.

Commenting on a post on his Facebook page, Doyle said “It’s truly an honor to represent my hometown and furthermore to have my hometown acknowledge the work my team and I put in not only at and for soca monarch, but all year round. I have no season. The end of Vincy Mas is the beginning of some other carnival in some other part of the world. Soca tourism may not be as quantifiable as traditional marketing strategies but it makes me feel so good when foreigners walk up to me after a performance and ask when is Vincy Mas and highlight their interest in coming to Svg. I am sure all the other artistes of Svg who had the privilege to travel and tour would share the same sentiment. Big up Problem (Child), Jamesy-(P), Kevin, zolah, marlon roudette Alex Barnwell, Becket, Winston and the countless others who represent our shores.”

However, it was Kerwin Dubois, with his song “Too Real,” who received the judges nod and dethroned last year’s Groovy Soca winner Machel Montano, who sang “Happiest man Alive”, which Fabulous also wrote.

Coming in behind Montano for the third spot was Darryl “Farmer Nappy” Henry with his song “Big People Party.”

Destra Garica rounded off the top four with her song ‘First time.”

In the Power Soca category, Montano, with ‘Ministry of Road,’ retained his title.

There was a three-way tie for the second position with Grenadian Hollice “Mr Killa” Mapp – “Rolly Polly,” Neil Iwer George – “Mama Oye” and Destra Garcia – “Mash Up.”