Six picked to challenge Lady D

Six soca artistes have been selected to challenge Denise ‘Lady D’ Stephens for the 2005 New Soca Song.

The contenders include former National Calypso monarch and Independence Calypso and reigning Agricultural Exhibition King: Glenroy ‘Sulle’ Caesar. {{more}}

He is competing with the song ‘Mas Tsunami.’

The rest of the cast includes newcomer to the big scene Shevrell ‘Smac’ McMillian, the son of former female calypsonian Misty. Smac, a St. Martin’s Secondary School student performed the song ‘The Rhythm’ and had the crowd at Pier One rocking during the audition last Saturday. His eventual selection came as no surprise.

Kenroy ‘Pusaz’ Jacobs with his song ‘Higher standard,’ also makes his debut into the big arena.

The Bowman family, known for their contribution to culture here spreads out with Roland ‘Rolly’ Bowman adding to the stock with his number ‘Put down yo guns.’

Asquit ‘Squitty’ Charles, who has been building a reputation in the Soca arena fills into the picture with his song ‘Just riddim.’

The other performer to challenge Lady D is the Aretha Shallow. However she may consider herself lucky to have been included on the basis of the questionable originality of her number.

Two reserves were named: Elmonth ‘Bunny Rebel’ Bailey who did ‘Ting Nice’ and Rohan ‘Mint’ Martin with ‘D rodeo.”

But perhaps the surprise omission of the event was that of Garrett ‘Icon’ John who auditioned with ‘Tek what yo get.’

Icon’s CD with his new selection had hit the airwaves before the audition, and even with an energetic performance Icon failed to gain the judges nod.

The Soca version of the New Song contest comes off as part of the 2005 carnival launching on May 7.

Musical accompaniment will be provided by the band Signal in the gala occasion to be staged once again at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Car Park in Kingstown.