With just seven days to go, anticipation is mounting as 25 soca artistes gear up to challenge the reigning Monarchs in the final round of the National Groovy and Power Soca Monarch competitions.
Bacchanal Friday on August 9 at the Grenada National Stadium promises a night of thrilling performances and fierce competition.
A total of 12 soca artistes have been selected to compete in the Groovy Monarch competition.
Super Flying Flint will open the night’s event in the groovy competition with his rendition ‘The Trumpet’ followed by Sherwin ‘Walkie Dan’ Paul with his selection ‘In my business.’
No stranger to the big stage, ‘Walkie Dan’ formerly known as Mr. Walkie promises a spectacular performance in the final round of competition.
“Expect a good performance as always…I have some excitement on the night…I know everybody’s gonna be singing out (with) this song,” he remarked.
Otis Celestine ‘Otis’, who is no stranger to the big stage will perform his selection ‘Grab me’ in third position.
He attributes his return to competition after several years to the cries of his loyal fans.
“Lots of people tell me Otis we miss people like you in the arena, (we want) you to come back and represent, and you know, they say the voice of the people is the voice of God so I had to come back – I couldn’t disappoint the fans no more so this is the year,” Otis told reporters following a splendid delivery of his song during the semi-final round of competition.
He will be followed by the 2024 Carriacou Groovy Monarch Leyron ‘2 Blaxx’ Joseph with his winning selection ‘Too Wicked’ in fourth position.
“I performed my best to uplift the people… despite the challenges that we have back home” following the destruction caused by Hurricane Beryl on July 1”, 2 Blaxx commented.
“It’s always a pleasure to uplift the people to make them know that it does not end there,” he added.
Newcomer to the big stage Jerel ‘Jerenton’ Jeremiah will perform in position five with his hit track ‘Let the mas play.’
The 20-year-old, who hails from Grand Bras in St. Andrew expressed excitement that he was able to secure a spot to compete among seasoned contenders on the occasion of his debut on the soca scene.
He expressed confidence going into the final moments after his impressive performance which attracted tremendous support from the crowd.
“So far, I’ve been enjoying the journey and as the journey continues, I’m just elated … of what has been going on for me thus far. From day one my objective was to bring quality music out to Grenada and the feedback that I’ve been getting so far from the people since making that move I am very happy,” he remarked.
Jerenton will be followed on stage by former Monarch Wrenroy ‘Blaka Dan’ Ogiste in position six with his selection ‘Blessing’, and Shamak ‘Shamak’ Duncan in seventh position with his rendition ‘Pumpin’.
Also contesting this year’s groovy monarch is the reigning Soca King Shem ‘Terror D Governor’ Bernard, who is slated to perform in position eight.
He stated that his competition song ‘Plain Circle’ is geared to send “positive messages throughout the island.
“I know I am a voice, and when I watch the crime and violence right now…we cannot encourage it.
“We have to tell the youths, hey this is not the right way to go, this is the right way to go hence the reason for my selection,’ he quipped.
Making a return to the big stage this year is Ronnie ‘Runi Jay’ who secured a spot in the final with a spectacular performance of his rendition, ‘Around me.”
He will perform in position nine followed by four times Groovy Monarch Shondell ‘Dash’ Amada in 10th position with his selection ‘Celebrate’.
The reigning Groovy Monarch Jon ‘Boyzie’ Olive will perform in position 11.
In an earlier interview he indicated that he will defend the title with a song called ‘Home sweet home’.
Kellon ‘Juice De Voice’ Brathwaite will close the show with his selection Soca Party in position 12.
These were the 12 finalists selected by the judges from a cast of 27 contenders during the semifinal round of competition, which was held at Progress Park in the big parish of St. Andrew last week Thursday.
Dipping for positions for both the Groovy and Power Monarch competition were held in St. George’s on Tuesday.
The groovy segment will be followed by the highly anticipated Power Soca showdown in which 12 finalists are seeking to dethrone two times monarch Terror D Governor, who is slated to perform his defending track ‘Tremor’ in position 11.
Shamak is down to open the competition with his song entitled ‘Dream.’
He will be followed by Keron ‘Lil Kerry’ Noel in second position with his rendition ‘What the hell’ and Clint ‘Super Flying Flint’ John in third position with his selection ‘Flew’.
Performing in fourth position is Rashied ‘Cryave’ Julien with a song called ‘Sway’, and Andrew ‘Hitz’ Phillip in position five with his rendition ‘General Mashup.’
Giving the veterans a run for their money this year is 18-year-old newcomer Shequan ‘Shequan’ Olive, who will perform his hit track ‘Flatten it’ in position six.
The youngster, who hails from St. Patrick assures his fans that greater things are in store for the final round of competition.
“I am feeling excited, you can expect more from me,” Shequan declared.
He will be followed by Alex ‘Muddy’ Cuffie in seventh position with his selection “Controversy”, while Walkie Dan will sing from the eight position with his song entitled ‘Burn dem out,’ and Dash in ninth position with his rendition ‘The tape.’
Seeking to secure yet another crown is five times Power Soca Monarch Boyzie who will perform his hit track ‘Chaotic’ in position 10 just before the performance of the defending Monarch.
Newcomer to the big stage Clevon ‘Happy Boy’ Whiteman is slated to perform after the defending Monarch in position 12, followed by 17-year old Kamad ‘Yung Madd’ Williams, who is the youngest artiste in competition this year.
“Everything I did was planned. I executed and I did well…last year I came and I didn’t make the final. So, this year I came back stronger,” declared a confident and elated Yung Madd in an interview with reporters after his electrifying and captivating performance of his selection ‘Transform,’ during the semifinal round of competition held at Progress Park last week Friday.
As the countdown to Bacchanal Friday continues, Grenada is abuzz with excitement, eagerly awaiting a night of unforgettable performances and intense competition.