International Soca Monarch
Encyclopedia
The International Soca Monarch competition is an annual dual-contest soca music
event, the finals of which are held on every Carnival Friday (aka Fantastic Friday) in Trinidad and Tobago. Contestants in the event may vie for two separate crowns or titles, the International Soca Monarch (aka the Power Soca Monarch) for uptempo songs, and International Groovy Soca Monarch for slower-paced songs. Recently an additional award has been added, called the People's Choice, which involves text message voting by bmobile subscribers. Subscribers can vote multiple times for their favorite artist during the competition and the artist who receives the most votes is given an additional cash prize.
The International Soca Monarch competition has become the mecca of soca artists in Trinidad where the event has been hosted since its inception; and the region, as many artists who have competed on its stage have moved on to successful careers. Dubbed the "Super Bowl of soca music" it is also a highly anticipated and well-attended event that has been graced with such internationally acclaimed recording artists as Machel Montano
, Maxi Priest
, Alison Hinds
, Destra Garcia
and Superblue
to name a few.
Soca music
ians from around the region and the world are eligible to compete in the preliminary round of the competition and must attain the required number of points to advance into the semi-finals and subsequently the finals which is an action-packed event that is now televised and broadcast live to viewers in Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and other regions of the world courtesy the MTV Tempo Television Network. The show is also streamed online and is said to reach more than 150 million people worldwide through internet broadcasting.
At the inception of the competition, all soca artists (whether their song was uptempo or slower) competed for the same prize. In its current format, a distinction has been made between faster-paced soca songs and their slower counterparts which can still become crowd favorites. Therefore, since 2001 artists with these slower-paced songs now have a chance to compete separately from the usually more hyped-up (and consequently more popular) Power soca songs/artists, and vie for a different title, the International Groovy Soca Monarch. Therein is a sign of the evolution of soca music into two sub-genres.
There have been reports of International Soca Monarch competition roaming from 2011 (from contest producer and founder William Munro) but so far the competition remains in Trinidad and Tobago. In a Daily Express article, dated March 5, 2009, Munro shared his vision for the competition and his plans to discuss with regional ministers of culture in the various islands to generate support. He indicated that failure to attract support from the region would dictate whether regional winners would continue to be 'seeded' into the final round as done in 2009 or have to face the preliminary and semi-final stage as previously done.
Prize money for the competition was raised to $1 million in 2009 for the Power Soca Monarch winner although reports by Caribbean Prestige Foundation indicated there would be a reduction in the prize money. Fay Ann Lyons, the 2009 winner reportedly has received the full amount of the promised award (less 5% for administrative costs) when the prizes were distributed on March 20, 2009. Second and third place winners received cash prizes valued according to their placing. In 2010 the first prize for the Power category will be US $100,000 and the first prize for the Groovy Soca Monarch will be increased to TT $200,000.
. He went on to win the competition a record five more times. This record is as yet unbeaten, although several artists are closing in on that number.
Since the competition has been split into two back-to-back contests, there have been only two performers to simultaneously capture both titles: Shurwayne Winchester
was the first in 2006 and Fay-Ann Lyons
the second in 2009. Fay-Ann is also the first female winner of the International Soca Monarch in the Power category and therefore the first female to win both titles simultaneously. Having also won the People's Choice award on that night, she is the first artist to make a clean sweep of all the prizes at the International Soca Monarch.
When the local competition first became an international event, all contestants were required to pass the preliminary stages to qualify for the finals. In 2009, this was changed with winners from other countries' soca monarch competitions being automatically "seeded" into the final round.
Prize money for the International Soca Monarch has grown over the years and was announced as being $1 million TT dollars for the 2009 winner when the competition was launched in 2008. Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez, the 2009 winner reportedly received her prize money (subject to a small deduction) at the prize-giving ceremony in March, 2009. T&T Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs have reportedly suggested future prize money be reduced to $750, 000 due to the downturn in the global economy. In 2004, the winner received $150,000, which was an increase from the previous year. In 2006, $500,000 and a car constituted the winnings for double-winner Shurwayne Winchester. In 2008, the first prize was also $500, 000. Since 2003, all finalists have been guaranteed a cash award for their appearance. Past title sponsors of the event such as TSTT, bmobile and the NLCB have in the past contributed to the cash awards for winners.
In 2011, the prize for the 2011 winner of the International Power Soca Monarch was increased to $2 million TT Dollars, sponsored by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. This was announced by TT Prime Minister Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, and in her honor, Mr. Munro dedicated the 2011 finals to Mrs. Persad-Bissesar. The prize for the International Groovy Soca Monarch is now $500,000 TT Dollars. Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar also promised in 2011 that future prizes would be maintained at the current figure of $2 million Trinidad and Tobago dollars.
1993 - Superblue
- Bacchaanal Time
1994 - SuperBlue - Flag Party
1995 - Ronnie McIntosh - On The Road
1996 - Superblue - Bounce
1997 - Ronnie McIntosh - Ent + Superblue - Barbara (Tie)
1998 - Super Blue - Ato Party
1999 - Kurt Allen - Dus Dem
2000 - Super Blue - Pump Up
2001 - Shadow - Stranger
2002 - Bunji Garlin
- We From de Ghetto + Iwer George - Gimme Ah Bligh (Tie)
2003 - Iwer George - Ah Home
2004 - Bunji Garlin - Warrior Cry
2005 - Bunji Garlin - Blaze de Fire
2006 - Shurwayne Winchester
- Ah Can't Wait
2007 - Iwer George - Fete After Fete
2008 - Bunji Garlin - Fiery
2009 - Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez
- Meet Superblue (First female winner)
2010 - JW & Blaze - Palance
2011 - Machel Montano
- Advantage
International Groovy Soca Monarch
2004 - Michelle Sylvester - Hone
2005 - Michelle Sylvester - Sleeping In Your Bed
2006 - Shurwayne Winchester - Don't Stop
2007 - Biggie Irie - Nah Goin' Home
2008 - Shurwayne Winchester - Carnival Please Stay
2009 - Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez - Heavy T Bumper
2010 - Shurwayne Winchester - Murdah
2011 - Kes The Band
- Wotless
bmobile TSTT People's Choice
2006: Bunji Garlin
2007: Shurwayne Winchester
2008: Bunji Garlin
2009: Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez
From 43 Semifinalists for the International Soca Monarch, (Power) dubbed this year the Blackberry International Soca Monarch, 13 made it to the finals.
For the 2010 International Groovy Soca Monarch, aka Play When Groovy Soca Monarch, 39 made it to the semi-final round and from there 12 won a spot in the finals to be joined by the winner of Synergy Soca Star.
The following were the contenders for the International Soca Monarch finals on Fantastic Friday, held on Friday 12 February, 2010 at the Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Power soca category finalists (in order of their scheduled performance position).
’Ready or Not’ Daddy Chess (Dominica)
’Soca Rebel'Tian Winter
'Template’ Sugar Jigga TC
’Police’ Shal Marshall & Screws
’The Beast Let Go’ Skinny Fabulous
’Swing It Away’ Mr Killa
’Wicked Jab’ Tallpree
’I Pay Fuh Dis’ Farmer Nappy
Fay Ann Lyons (defending Champion) 'True Lies'
’Party Hard’ Iwer George
'Palance' Blaze & JW
'Zombie' Blaxx
’While U Can’ KMC and Ronnie McIntosh
Groovy Soca category finalists (in scheduled performance order)
’Bawl Out’ Ainsley King
’Survivor’ Nnika Francis
'Streets of Trinidad' Metro
’Barman’ Rikki Jai
’Wuk It’ Patrice Roberts
'Drifin' Mr. Chucky
’Murdah’ Shurwayne Winchester
"Start Winin'" Fay Ann Lyons (Defending Groovy Soca Monarch)
’Pavement’ Kerwin Du Bois and Farmer Nappy
’Hot Sun and Rhythm’ TC
’Nah Bad Talk Man’ KMC
’More Water’ Zoelah
'Careful’ Lil Bitts
A new feature was added to the 2010 International Soca Monarch - text voting. Fans could text the relevant code to 7622 in the Caribbean and 78247 in US & Canada to vote for their favorite Artiste - text voting accounted for 35% of the artiste's final score. Text messaging platforms: TSTT - Trinidad and Tobago, Lime - Caribbean, All major carriers - USA & Canada.
Newsday: Soca Monarch — a springboard to success
Caribbean Beat
Trinidad Guardian
Newsday: 2006 — A cultural journey
NALIS: Carnival results
Soca Monarch winner still to receive $
Double victory for Shurwayne
Daily Express: Fantastic Friday
SocaMonarch.net
Newsday: Prize cut for Soca queen
Fay-Ann's prizemoney slashed by $.25m
Fay-Ann to receive full $1 million first prize
Soca music
Soca is a style of music from Trinidad and Tobago. Soca is a musical development of traditional Trinidadian calypso, through loans from the 1960s onwards from predominantly black popular music....
event, the finals of which are held on every Carnival Friday (aka Fantastic Friday) in Trinidad and Tobago. Contestants in the event may vie for two separate crowns or titles, the International Soca Monarch (aka the Power Soca Monarch) for uptempo songs, and International Groovy Soca Monarch for slower-paced songs. Recently an additional award has been added, called the People's Choice, which involves text message voting by bmobile subscribers. Subscribers can vote multiple times for their favorite artist during the competition and the artist who receives the most votes is given an additional cash prize.
The International Soca Monarch competition has become the mecca of soca artists in Trinidad where the event has been hosted since its inception; and the region, as many artists who have competed on its stage have moved on to successful careers. Dubbed the "Super Bowl of soca music" it is also a highly anticipated and well-attended event that has been graced with such internationally acclaimed recording artists as Machel Montano
Machel Montano
Machel Montano is a soca singer, record producer and songwriter based in the Trinidad and Tobago....
, Maxi Priest
Maxi Priest
Max Alfred "Maxi" Priest is a British reggae vocalist of Jamaican descent. He is best known for singing reggae music with a R&B influence, otherwise known as reggae fusion, and became one of the first international successes who regularly dabbled in the genre as well as being one of the most...
, Alison Hinds
Alison Hinds
Alison Hinds is a Bajan female soca artist based in the Caribbean island of Barbados. She is one of the most popular soca singers in the world and has been given the nickname the "Queen of Soca".-Biography:...
, Destra Garcia
Destra Garcia
Destra Garcia is a Soca singer and songwriter based in Trinidad and Tobago. Destra is noted for her high energy performances, harmonious vocal skill and eccentric fashion style...
and Superblue
Superblue
Austin Lyons , better known as Superblue, Super Blue, and Blueboy, is a Trinidad and Tobago calypsonian, soca musician, ICON and lyricist.-Person:...
to name a few.
Soca music
Soca music
Soca is a style of music from Trinidad and Tobago. Soca is a musical development of traditional Trinidadian calypso, through loans from the 1960s onwards from predominantly black popular music....
ians from around the region and the world are eligible to compete in the preliminary round of the competition and must attain the required number of points to advance into the semi-finals and subsequently the finals which is an action-packed event that is now televised and broadcast live to viewers in Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and other regions of the world courtesy the MTV Tempo Television Network. The show is also streamed online and is said to reach more than 150 million people worldwide through internet broadcasting.
Evolution
Begun in 1993 as a local competition for soca artists in Trinidad and Tobago, called the Soca Monarch (aka Trinidad Soca Monarch), the event quickly grew in popularity as it always featured the more popular artists and favored songs for each Carnival season. It was redubbed The International Soca Monarch when for the first time acts from around the world became eligible to compete for a place in the finals and a chance at the envied title of Soca Monarch.At the inception of the competition, all soca artists (whether their song was uptempo or slower) competed for the same prize. In its current format, a distinction has been made between faster-paced soca songs and their slower counterparts which can still become crowd favorites. Therefore, since 2001 artists with these slower-paced songs now have a chance to compete separately from the usually more hyped-up (and consequently more popular) Power soca songs/artists, and vie for a different title, the International Groovy Soca Monarch. Therein is a sign of the evolution of soca music into two sub-genres.
There have been reports of International Soca Monarch competition roaming from 2011 (from contest producer and founder William Munro) but so far the competition remains in Trinidad and Tobago. In a Daily Express article, dated March 5, 2009, Munro shared his vision for the competition and his plans to discuss with regional ministers of culture in the various islands to generate support. He indicated that failure to attract support from the region would dictate whether regional winners would continue to be 'seeded' into the final round as done in 2009 or have to face the preliminary and semi-final stage as previously done.
Prize money for the competition was raised to $1 million in 2009 for the Power Soca Monarch winner although reports by Caribbean Prestige Foundation indicated there would be a reduction in the prize money. Fay Ann Lyons, the 2009 winner reportedly has received the full amount of the promised award (less 5% for administrative costs) when the prizes were distributed on March 20, 2009. Second and third place winners received cash prizes valued according to their placing. In 2010 the first prize for the Power category will be US $100,000 and the first prize for the Groovy Soca Monarch will be increased to TT $200,000.
History
The first soca artist to win the Soca Monarch title is SuperblueSuperblue
Austin Lyons , better known as Superblue, Super Blue, and Blueboy, is a Trinidad and Tobago calypsonian, soca musician, ICON and lyricist.-Person:...
. He went on to win the competition a record five more times. This record is as yet unbeaten, although several artists are closing in on that number.
Since the competition has been split into two back-to-back contests, there have been only two performers to simultaneously capture both titles: Shurwayne Winchester
Shurwayne Winchester
Shurwayne Winchester is a soca musician from Trinidad and Tobago, who has twice won the Road March title.-Biography:He was born and raised on Tobago. At the age of 12, he entered the competition arena, consistently making yearly contributions that impressed and propelled him to advanced stages...
was the first in 2006 and Fay-Ann Lyons
Fay-Ann Lyons
Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez is a Trinidadian soca songwriter, recording artist and performer. She is also known by such titles as the Lyon Empress, Mane the Matriach and the Silver Surfer, a nickname which she claimed during her performance at the 2008 International Soca Monarch. She is married to...
the second in 2009. Fay-Ann is also the first female winner of the International Soca Monarch in the Power category and therefore the first female to win both titles simultaneously. Having also won the People's Choice award on that night, she is the first artist to make a clean sweep of all the prizes at the International Soca Monarch.
When the local competition first became an international event, all contestants were required to pass the preliminary stages to qualify for the finals. In 2009, this was changed with winners from other countries' soca monarch competitions being automatically "seeded" into the final round.
Prize money for the International Soca Monarch has grown over the years and was announced as being $1 million TT dollars for the 2009 winner when the competition was launched in 2008. Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez, the 2009 winner reportedly received her prize money (subject to a small deduction) at the prize-giving ceremony in March, 2009. T&T Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs have reportedly suggested future prize money be reduced to $750, 000 due to the downturn in the global economy. In 2004, the winner received $150,000, which was an increase from the previous year. In 2006, $500,000 and a car constituted the winnings for double-winner Shurwayne Winchester. In 2008, the first prize was also $500, 000. Since 2003, all finalists have been guaranteed a cash award for their appearance. Past title sponsors of the event such as TSTT, bmobile and the NLCB have in the past contributed to the cash awards for winners.
In 2011, the prize for the 2011 winner of the International Power Soca Monarch was increased to $2 million TT Dollars, sponsored by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. This was announced by TT Prime Minister Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, and in her honor, Mr. Munro dedicated the 2011 finals to Mrs. Persad-Bissesar. The prize for the International Groovy Soca Monarch is now $500,000 TT Dollars. Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar also promised in 2011 that future prizes would be maintained at the current figure of $2 million Trinidad and Tobago dollars.
Winners
Trinidad/International Soca Monarch1993 - Superblue
Superblue
Austin Lyons , better known as Superblue, Super Blue, and Blueboy, is a Trinidad and Tobago calypsonian, soca musician, ICON and lyricist.-Person:...
- Bacchaanal Time
1994 - SuperBlue - Flag Party
1995 - Ronnie McIntosh - On The Road
1996 - Superblue - Bounce
1997 - Ronnie McIntosh - Ent + Superblue - Barbara (Tie)
1998 - Super Blue - Ato Party
1999 - Kurt Allen - Dus Dem
2000 - Super Blue - Pump Up
2001 - Shadow - Stranger
2002 - Bunji Garlin
Bunji Garlin
Bunji Garlin July 14, 1978 is a Reggae Soca artist from Trinidad and Tobago. His real name is Ian Alvarez. He is of saint Lucian and Venezuelan descent. He married fellow Soca artist Fay-Ann Lyons on December 23, 2006, daughter of legendary Soca singer Superblue...
- We From de Ghetto + Iwer George - Gimme Ah Bligh (Tie)
2003 - Iwer George - Ah Home
2004 - Bunji Garlin - Warrior Cry
2005 - Bunji Garlin - Blaze de Fire
2006 - Shurwayne Winchester
Shurwayne Winchester
Shurwayne Winchester is a soca musician from Trinidad and Tobago, who has twice won the Road March title.-Biography:He was born and raised on Tobago. At the age of 12, he entered the competition arena, consistently making yearly contributions that impressed and propelled him to advanced stages...
- Ah Can't Wait
2007 - Iwer George - Fete After Fete
2008 - Bunji Garlin - Fiery
2009 - Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez
Fay-Ann Lyons
Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez is a Trinidadian soca songwriter, recording artist and performer. She is also known by such titles as the Lyon Empress, Mane the Matriach and the Silver Surfer, a nickname which she claimed during her performance at the 2008 International Soca Monarch. She is married to...
- Meet Superblue (First female winner)
2010 - JW & Blaze - Palance
2011 - Machel Montano
Machel Montano
Machel Montano is a soca singer, record producer and songwriter based in the Trinidad and Tobago....
- Advantage
International Groovy Soca Monarch
2004 - Michelle Sylvester - Hone
2005 - Michelle Sylvester - Sleeping In Your Bed
2006 - Shurwayne Winchester - Don't Stop
2007 - Biggie Irie - Nah Goin' Home
2008 - Shurwayne Winchester - Carnival Please Stay
2009 - Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez - Heavy T Bumper
2010 - Shurwayne Winchester - Murdah
2011 - Kes The Band
Kes (band)
KES is a Trinidadian soca band formed in 2005 by brothers, Kees , Hans and Jon Dieffenthaller and close friend Riad Boochoon . All of them are alumni of Presentation College, San Fernando in Trinidad & Tobago, as is well-known soca artiste Machel Montano...
- Wotless
bmobile TSTT People's Choice
2006: Bunji Garlin
2007: Shurwayne Winchester
2008: Bunji Garlin
2009: Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez
News
2010 saw over 300 contestants in the preliminary round of competition for the coveted crowns.From 43 Semifinalists for the International Soca Monarch, (Power) dubbed this year the Blackberry International Soca Monarch, 13 made it to the finals.
For the 2010 International Groovy Soca Monarch, aka Play When Groovy Soca Monarch, 39 made it to the semi-final round and from there 12 won a spot in the finals to be joined by the winner of Synergy Soca Star.
The following were the contenders for the International Soca Monarch finals on Fantastic Friday, held on Friday 12 February, 2010 at the Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Power soca category finalists (in order of their scheduled performance position).
’Ready or Not’ Daddy Chess (Dominica)
’Soca Rebel'Tian Winter
'Template’ Sugar Jigga TC
’Police’ Shal Marshall & Screws
’The Beast Let Go’ Skinny Fabulous
’Swing It Away’ Mr Killa
’Wicked Jab’ Tallpree
’I Pay Fuh Dis’ Farmer Nappy
Fay Ann Lyons (defending Champion) 'True Lies'
’Party Hard’ Iwer George
'Palance' Blaze & JW
'Zombie' Blaxx
’While U Can’ KMC and Ronnie McIntosh
Groovy Soca category finalists (in scheduled performance order)
’Bawl Out’ Ainsley King
’Survivor’ Nnika Francis
'Streets of Trinidad' Metro
’Barman’ Rikki Jai
’Wuk It’ Patrice Roberts
'Drifin' Mr. Chucky
’Murdah’ Shurwayne Winchester
"Start Winin'" Fay Ann Lyons (Defending Groovy Soca Monarch)
’Pavement’ Kerwin Du Bois and Farmer Nappy
’Hot Sun and Rhythm’ TC
’Nah Bad Talk Man’ KMC
’More Water’ Zoelah
'Careful’ Lil Bitts
A new feature was added to the 2010 International Soca Monarch - text voting. Fans could text the relevant code to 7622 in the Caribbean and 78247 in US & Canada to vote for their favorite Artiste - text voting accounted for 35% of the artiste's final score. Text messaging platforms: TSTT - Trinidad and Tobago, Lime - Caribbean, All major carriers - USA & Canada.
Sources
Gov't cuts $$ for Soca MonarchNewsday: Soca Monarch — a springboard to success
Caribbean Beat
Trinidad Guardian
Newsday: 2006 — A cultural journey
NALIS: Carnival results
Soca Monarch winner still to receive $
Double victory for Shurwayne
Daily Express: Fantastic Friday
SocaMonarch.net
Newsday: Prize cut for Soca queen
Fay-Ann's prizemoney slashed by $.25m
Fay-Ann to receive full $1 million first prize