Twenty-five to battle for North Leeward Soca Monarch title
Twenty-five Soca artistes will do battle for the title of North Leeward Soca Monarch 2024, tonight June 8, at Cherry Hill, Chateaubeliar.
The event which starts at 10:00 P.M promises to be electrifying and exciting with some of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ best talent on showcase.
Twenty-four of the artistes will be looking to dethrone the defending champion ‘Redz’.
The competitors are Aidol – Way de scene; Bawl Dawg – I like it so; D’termine – Girls and Soca; Flee – Rum; Fruitilicious – Kick Em Jenny; Fry Yiy – leave the liquor; G.wise- Dunce Ed; Enigma – Center of Attention; Jace – Do It; Kilogram – Rum Play; King G- Cock It; KTB & Vyper – Sidman; Leo & Sleepy – Chaos
;Elegance- Give Thanks; Rikaine – Rum for Carnival; Romey – Wet World ; Tарн – Bush; Xojay & Ezra – Go een; Wukaman & Mont I – Fool the public; Care Nada- Tek it; Wayne – Flat and Redz (reigning monarch), Gyal & Soca.
The North Leeward Sports and Cultural Organization, the entity that is executing carnival activities in the constituency, entered into a partnership with Mad House Entertainment, an event production company headed by DJ and promoter, Joel “Fugitive” Bibby that has been given the responsibility to execute the Soca Monarch competition.
Bibby’s entity is known for producing popular events such as Firebomb, Illusions, and most recently, Wap Fete.
Bibby said when he was given the opportunity to produce the North Leeward Soca Monarch competition he saw it as a golden opportunity to do something for the community.
“I saw it as an opportunity for me to do something for the young and upcoming artistes, the future of Vincy Soca Music. I mean, you [have] to always give respect to North Leeward when it comes to Soca music,” said Bibby, as he mentioned such veterans as Poor-sah; Roses Crew and Fireman; Problem Child; and Skinny Fabulous from the constituency.
“So, I think that that in itself serves as motivation for the young and upcoming artistes…the least we can do with our level of experience and know-how, is to create that platform, you know, that first stepping stone, something that would encourage them, something that would…push them a little further than wherever they are right now. So that’s really the vision, it’s just a matter of creating the platform to give the youths a chance…to be heard,” said Bibby.
The promoter was quick to highlight that the majority of the artistes are from North Leeward, but there are competitors from as far as Biabou on the Windward side of the mainland.
“We had a selection process which most of the artistes went through. We have female artistes in the competition as well, so we tried our best to spread it out as best as possible, but keeping the majority of the artistes from within the North Leeward community.”
Bibby said that his company, Mad House, has at its core its corporate and civic responsibility. In the past, the company donated to charitable causes. The event promoter also expressed thanks to the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC)and RS Production for providing technical support and training for the artistes, while thanking his sponsors, including Campari, St. Vincent Brewery Limited and Flow.
PRO of the North Leeward Sports and Cultural Organisation (NLSCO), Kenville Horne said that the association is pleased to partner with Bibby.
” Running a show such as Soca Monarch is not an easy thing, but as an organization we knew of Fugitive’s experience and success as a promoter and also as an entertainer, so we believe in his ability to execute a show of this nature,” said Horne.
He expressed thanks to everyone who has supported the carnival activities in the constituency so far and appealed for peace and unity, throughout the season.
“Since we announced the launch of North Leeward carnival we have appealed for peace. I know sometimes there are people who come with the intention to cause problems by engaging in fights. We want them to know we have no appetite for that,” said Horne, as he called on people to come out and support the event.
Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded for the top three positions in the competition.
Guest performances will be done at the show by some of SVG’s best artistes including Fireman Hooper; Hance John; Keith Currency; Kemmy Christopher; Dose Up; Wyz Skid; Royall; and Fonando. (Contributed by PRO-NLSCO)