Soca Monarch 2013

[Bitter]

Let the "competition" begin.


Soca Monarch 2013 semifinalists
Published: Wednesday, January 9, 2013
http://www.guardian.co.tt/carnival/2013-01-09/soca-monarch-2013-semifinalists

Organisers of this year’s Play Whe International Power Soca Monarch and Digicel International Groovy Soca Monarch competitions yesterday announced the list of artistes who will compete in the two competitions on January 20 at the Arima Velodrome.
 
The names of the semifinalists and their songs are as follows:
 
 
Digicel International Groovy Soca Monarch semifinalists
1. Ian Bunji Garlin Alvarez - Differentology
2. Neil Iwer D Boss George - Bubble
3. Dexter Blaxx Stewart  - Nah Get Away
4. Destra Garcia - Call My Name
5. Nadia Batson - Manager
6. Denise Belfon - Wining Queen
7. Shurwayne Winchester - We not Stopping
8. Darryl Farmer Nappy Henry - Stranger
9. Rodney ‘Benjai’ Le Blanc - Feter
10. Drupatee Persad - Indian Gyal
11. Kerwin Du Bois - Wettin
12. Kenneth K Rich Richards - Wine Back
13. Patrice Roberts - A Little Wine
14. Terrin Super Jigga TC Callender - We Liming
15. Ravi Ravi B Bissambhar - Prescription
16. Stephenson Shal’ Marshall  - Wickedest Wine
17. Roderick ‘Chucky’ Gordon - I Never Wine
18. Akil ‘5 Star Akil’ Borneo - Partier
19. Sheldon Sheldon Nuggets Bullen - Not Yuh Manager
20. Leslie EL-Jay’ James - Trini Beauty
21. Denyse Plummer  - Rock and Roll
22. Michelle Michelle X - Xavier - Hold Somebody
23. Lawrence Mr Renzo Adams - Xrated
24. Nesta Sekon Sta Boxhill - Stick It
25. Jenelle J'Angel De Leon - Jook It
26. Charlene Charli Griffith - Go Down Low
27. Kevon Yankey Boy Heath - Rumors
28. Devon Lyrikal Martin - 25/8
29. Santeney Rampersad  - Movin Alone
30. Sean Daniel - Magnet
 
 
Play Whe International Power Soca Monarch semifinalists 2013
1. Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez - De Stage Open
2. Austin Super Blue Lyons - Fantastic Friday
3. Destra Garcia - Carry On
4. Neil Iwer D Boss George - Unfinished Business
5. Rodney Benjai Le Blanc - Engoma
6. Shurwayne Winchester - We Control D Road
7. Nadia Batson - Gutter
8. Edghill MX Prime Thomas - Rell Vibez
9. Wilt Tallpree Cambridge - Muddy Jab
10. Dexter Blaxx Stewart - In Charge
11. Gamal Skinny FabulousDoyle – Monster (Reigning Monarch in St Vincent)
12. Lornette Fya Empress Nedd-Reid  - Rum Please
13. Marvin Swappi Davis – Cha-os
14. Timel BoyBoy Rivas - Put yuh flags up
15. Devon Prophet Benjamin Samuel - No Lokani
16. Jeffrey Peter Levels Biddeau - Ready Again
17. Rickey Lil Rick Reid - Cyah Bother We
18. Trevor Gore  - Once Again
19. Anslem Douglas - Bacchanal
20. Jason JW’ Williams & Ancil Blaze Isaac Jr - Timing It
21. Devon Matthews - Start It Up
22. Megan Walrond - Full Flight
23. Marcus Lavaman James - Psycho (Reigning Monarch in Grenada)
24. Shivonne Lil Bitts Churche - Raise D Dust
25. Emmanuel Chris Garcia - No Soup
26. I-Stan Chosen Scott - Bring A Flask And Come
27. Anthony Squeezy Rankin La Fleur - The Renaissance
28. Erphaan Alves - Doh Test We
29. Ronald Natro Date Wickham - Masquerader Drunk
30. Olatunji Yearwood – Tunji Mantana

[Bitter]

Bunji, Fay Ann Pull out
Soca Monarch shocker

By Wayne Bowman
Story Created: Jan 17, 2013 at 9:55 PM ECT
Story Updated: Jan 18, 2013 at 9:04 AM ECT
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/carnival/articles/Bunji__Fay_Ann__Pull_out-187390301.html

Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez have both bowed out of the International Groovy and Power Soca Monarch competitions, respectively.

The couple announced this last night, saying they decided to withdraw because they believe that fundamental clauses in the competitors' contracts were objectionable and demanded too much of the winners.

They were therefore advised by their management and legal representatives that it was best they pull out of the competition before the semi-final round on Sunday at the Arima Velodrome. Bunji had pulled position number 15 and Lyons-Alvarez number 20.

Among the elements in the contract with which Bunji and Lyons-Alvarez took exception to was the rule that winners must give back to the Caribbean Prestige Foundation (CPF) five per cent of the winnings.
Also, the winners must defend the respective titles the following year, or they will have to pay back 90 per cent of the prize money.

Another clause the artistes are objecting to in the contract is that the winners must attend the prize distribution ceremony wherever it may be, here at home or abroad.

Chairman of CPF William Munro, said last night he was saddened and very hurt over Lyons-Alvarez and Bunji pulling out only two days before the semi-finals, and he was hoping they would reconsider.
"There was never any discussion. They could have even sent a letter, and I would have sat down with them to see how we could work things out. Last year, I had two meetings with many of the artistes at my home, and we presented the rules and they were agreed on."

"Fay Ann topped the Power in the preliminaries and Bunji topped in the Groovy. I am wondering how the public is going to take this news because everybody was so happy when they returned.

"I hope they will reconsider or at least meet with me. I have no malice and still love them. I will bend over backwards for them, but I can't change the rules to please only two people," Munro said.

Lyons-Alvarez and Bunji did not compete in the Soca Monarch competition last year and at that time announced they were considering not returning because they wanted to focus on taking their music directly to an international audience.

When Bunji ended up with a major hit with the release of the song "Differentology" in November last year, people began to call for his return to the competition. This was the same with Lyons-Alvarez when she released, among other songs, "D Stage Open".

After several weeks of saying they will consider returning to the Soca Monarch if that was what the people wanted, the couple's management registered them to compete, with Bunji in the Groovy and Lyons-Alvarez in the Power Soca Monarch.

Adding to the excitement of their return was the fact that Lyons' father, five-time Soca Monarch champion SuperBlue, had also made a comeback after an over-decade-long hiatus.

All soca music fans and the public at large were anticipating a grand showdown at the Hasely Crawford National Stadium on Carnival Friday between Lyons-Alvarez, SuperBlue, Iwer George and defending Power Soca champion Machel Montano, as well as the clash between Bunji and Montano in the Groovy category.

[davyjenny1]

PLAY WHE INTERNATIONAL POWER SOCA MONARCH & DIGICEL INTERNATIONAL GROOVY SOCA MONARCH COMPETITIONS 2013 Finalists:

The finalists are as follows:

Groovy
 
 1.Benjai
 2.Denise Belfon
 3.Destra Garcia
 4.Patrice Roberts
 5. Blaxx
 6.Farmer Nappy
 7.Drupatee Ramgoolan
 8.Iwer "0 Boss" George
 9.Nadia Batson
 10.RaviB


Power:

DEFENDINGMONARCH: Machel Montano

 1.Super Blue
 2.Destra Garcia
 3.Devon Matthews
 4.Shurwayne Winchester
 5.Benjai
 6.Fya Empress
 7.Swappi
 8.Tallpree
 9.JW & Blaze
 10. Lil Bits