A 27-YEAR-OLD repeat Junior Monarch is the first person in Trinidad and Tobago to win a TT$2 million calypso prize.
Karene Asche, who hails from Kaiso House, defeated several veterans, including Sugar Aloes, Cro Cro and Chalkdust, during the Dimanche Gras Finals at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Sunday night, with solid renditions of Be Careful What You Ask For and Uncle Jack.
The smooth confidence she displayed while delivering the songs disappeared when she was announced winner after 2 a.m. yesterday morning.
The obviously overwhelmed queen had to be supported back on stage to receive her prize.
Asche beat Sugar Aloes, who sang De Cause and Not One Word, into second spot.
Chalkdust finished third with Wounded Pride and Power Of The Pen. This is the second consecutive year Chalkdust was denied the opportunity to surpass the Mighty Sparrow, whose eight-crown record he equalled in 2009.
Defending monarch Kurt Allen finished sixth.
