Monique, Bomani share double honours

Monique: From a Princess to a Queen

Her calypso sobriquet is Princess Monique and she might have been appropriately referred to by that name up to two years ago. Then she placed fourth in the national calypso competition. {{more}}
From last year, her name ought to have been changed to Queen Monique, for she has stepped up the royal lineage.
In 2003, Monique Hector stunned the cultural arena when she won the national calypso title. It was the first time that a woman was winning the national Calypso crown.
She dethroned then King Elvis Abijah’ Abbey. Princess Monique had signaled her intention earlier that year when she took down four time National calypso Queen Bridgette ‘Joy C’ Creese.
So when she won the national crown, Princess Monique had effectively sealed the Double.
In 2004, speculations were rampant that Princess Monique would have been dethroned, for there is the familiar saying’ ‘Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.’
Princess Monique made a mockery of that statement and cruised to a retention of her royalty in grand style. And when the dust settled, it was simply a return to splendour for Princess Monique in double fashion. For there was no one to challenge her either at the National Queen level, or the National clash.
The men, and indeed, Princess Monique’s rivals in the National Queen contest are certainly not pleased at her ongoing triumph. But they will have to do something about it, and whenever they do, Princess Monique will certainly be waiting and prepared. There is no doubt that she will be keen on achieving the hattrick.
Whether she will be allowed to pull off that trick will be left to the creativity of her challengers, starting with the National Calypso Queen competition, and then the National calypso Monarch contest. Until then it’s Double delight for Princess Monique.

Who am I?

He could be likened to the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar who came, saw, and conquered. What he saw would only be his vision, but there is no doubt that he came and definitely conquered. He vanquished all in his way and when the history of this country’s carnival is written, Orande ‘Bomani’ Charles will stand out.
He burst onto the music scene in dynamic fashion this year and with a song called ‘ I am Soca,’ stormed to the Soca monarch title.
Once that was achieved, his song grew onto the public and before the festival was over, it was clear that there was going to be a new Road March monarch.
Bomani has been around the music circles for some five years. But his composition this year stands out as a classic.
It could perhaps be this country’s next big hit, in the footsteps of Kevin Lyttle’s Soca smasher ‘Turn me on’ which three years after its release here is making it big on the American charts.
Bomani’s ‘I am Soca’ is a mixture of smooth Soca rhythms and lyrics and footstomping Ragga vibes. It is a masterpiece any way one looks at it. The song is one that captures your imagination and once you have heard it, you will want it repeated. And no matter how often it is played, it has an hypnotic effect on you.
Bomani, expressed surprise at the way the song caught the Vincentian public, but he may still be in for some further shock when the song hits the international arena. Bomani has already begun reaping the benefits of his Road March and Soca titles.
He is one of the nation’s prized commodities and the song has catapulted him into something of near super star status. Music lovers at Caribana and other festivals will be identifying with the unique Vincentian sound as the celebrations unfold.
And when Labour Day activities heat up in New York, you can expect that Bomani’s song will be one to look for.
Next year’s carnival in Trinidad and Tobago will be another decisive moment for Bomani and his ‘I am Soca.’ For once it hits the Trinidad and Tobago; market there will be no stopping the song.
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Soca competition in St Lucia will be another avenue for Bomani next year. On the basis of his Soca Monarch title, he will be representing St. Vincent and the Grenadines in that competition. Since Godfrey Dublin took away the title at its inception in 2001, success has eluded Vincentian artistes.
Could Bomani break the jinx? That will be left to be seen. Only time will tell. What is for certain is that Bomani has made a loud and definitive statement and who ever he may be, he is St. Vincent and the Grenadines 2004 Road March and Soca King.