PRODUCERS OF THE International Soca Monarch Competition are going all out to ensure all competitors have an even chance of winning the $2 million first prize.
Speaking to the WEEKEND NATION during a telephone interview from his Trinidad offices yesterday, founder of the competition, William Munro, said they were representing the interests of all.
“We do everything I’m telling yuh. I’m from the islands. I’m from Grenada and I always seek the interests of all the artistes, especially those coming from the islands, and I don’t want them to be uncomfortable. They wouldn’t feel comfortable to come to the event, and I want them to be comfortable.
“I want them to win the event, as a matter of fact. There is no maybe about it, just like how Biggie Irie won once and we will continue to strive for that,” Munro said.
He publicly apologised to Barbadian competitor TC, who had a particularly rough time of it at the Soca Monarch finals last year.
The MC made an error and called her by the wrong name when she was announced to perform, microphones were not turned on, and the stage was not swept to remove debris from the preceding singer’s presentation, causing TC’s dancers to slip and fall. Her incensed team cried sabotage immediately after the announcement of the winners.
“I really want my artistes from Barbados and any other Caribbean island to be at home, to be comfortable. And they will tell you, when they come to the Caribbean Prestige Office we make them feel like family. So [for] what happened last year, I humbly apologize, and I will make sure that nothing like that happens to any of my singers that are coming from the islands,” Munro pledged.
He said the March 4 finals at Hasely Crawford Stadium will be like the World Cup, the Olympics and Miss Universe, and that they had put “every single thing in place”.
For the first time in the history of the competition, there will be separate backing bands for the Bmobile International Soca Monarch (power) and the Play Whe Groovy Soca Monarch.
“Every single thing will be done in a professional way [so] that everything will flow smooth and clean and great for every single artiste. I’ve even put a mechanism in place to get the artistes’ songs played on all the radio stations in Trinidad,” he said.
He said a $25 000 audience prize had also been introduced for those who displayed the most energy as they partied to the various songs.
Munro said the new incentive was to encourage people to “continue partying, so that you won’t have no local people come to the stage and some jumping for the locals and none jumping for the foreigners, so everyone will be jumping to win de prize”.
Opportunity
Artistes will also have an opportunity to speak about the competition and their respective countries during media promotions.
Noting that last Sunday’s semi-final was like a final, Munro said the show was shaping up to be “too dynamic”.
“They buzzing and tickets selling like ham and hops. They like flying fish and cou cou,” he laughed.
Party Monarch and Tune-of-the-Crop winner Anderson Blood Armstrong will be the lone Barbadian competing in this year’s finals. He has been making promotional appearances at shows and in the media in recent weeks to stir up some heat around Foot On Fire.
The finalists are:POWER: Bunji Garlin, Nadia Batson/Patrice Roberts, RaviB, Tallpree, Destra, Iwer George, Michelle Xavier, Fay-Ann Lyons, Shal Marshall, Machel Montano HD, JW & Blaze (defending champs), Blood, Tian Winter, Skinny Fabulous.GROOVY: Saucy Wow, Kes Dieffenthaller, Kerwin Du Bois, Destra, Chucky, Yankee Boy & Patch, All Rounder, Benjai, Jahmoun, Patrice Roberts, Blaxx, Cassi, Megan, Shurwayne Winchester (defending champ).