Rikki Jai and Ravi B served up a doubles with plenty pepper that proved too hot for the rest to leave with the sweet taste of victory at the Chutney Soca Monarch finals on Saturday night at Skinner Park, San Fernando.
Team Raja, as the pair called themselves on the night, made light work of an experienced field in the newly-created Traditional category, before returning in full force with the “Chutney Avengers” to dethrone last year’s winner KI (Kris Persad) in the marquee event—the Chutney Soca Monarch.
The duo dressed as Thor (Jai) and Iron Man (Ravi B) as they recreated the popular Marvel franchise on stage to share in $2.5 million in prize money ($2 million for Chutney Soca and $500,000 for Traditional).
“It feels great, we worked really, really hard for this. It took weeks of planning. A lot of work and practice and getting it right. Right now I’m lost for words,” an elated Ravi B (Ravi Bissambhar) said following the win.
Bissambhar said the achievement represented a redemption of sorts following his ill-timed display at the competition back in 2011. The Sangre Grande-born vocalist infamously prompted the crowd to throw bottles on stage in protest of his not winning the title.
“I embarrassed Rikki (2011 winner) and myself and what I want to say tonight is we showed the world that things happen, but we learn from our mistakes and we rise again and tonight this is a win for the industry,” he said to loud cheers from his entourage.
Rikki Jai (Samraj Jaimungal) said this latest title was the crown jewel of his glittering Chutney Soca career.
“This is the biggest jewel in my crown when it comes to chutney because after 20 years I’m still here and to take the title with Ravi B made me a happy man tonight,” said the veteran singer.
Ten acts contested the Traditional and Chutney Soca titles, respectively, before a modest crowd (by Chutney Soca Monarch standards) at the 20th anniversary of the competition.
Team Raja blew the competition out of the water to win by some 38 points in the Traditional category with “Chalo Awo Radha”. The song told the story of a Raja (King) sending his two best singers to win the heart of a beautiful Rani (Queen).
They were made to work for their title in the Chutney Soca category, however, as competition was fierce with each act pulling out all the stops in pursuit of the coveted title and $2 million cash prize.
Defending Monarch KI took flight on a pair of white angel wings as he performed his song airborne much to the delight of the crowd.
He soared above a large mobile phone screen erected centre stage and rearranged the lyrics to his popular “No Gyal Again” singing: “It look like I goin’ and win this Monarch again”.
But he couldn’t quite duplicate the heights reached by Team Raja, as Ravi B (played by a stunt double) took off on a jet pack and hovered over the audience before blasting out of the park during the duo’s performance of “CSM 20”. The display beat the defending champ into second spot.
Nishard Mayrhoo and Crazy (Edwin Ayoung) were the surprise packages of the night, with the former working his material to perfection to elicit the biggest reaction from the crowd with “Mischief Maker”.
Crazy, 71, the oldest competitor in the field, showed his experience with an injection of chutney rhythms and Hindi lyrics into his soca hit “Respect The Elder” that resonated well with the tough crowd.
Each of the acts on the night had to really work hard to earn their approval.
Saleem Beharry came into the competition with perhaps the biggest chutney soca of 2015 “Next Man Wife”. But he showed a lack of experience and seemed to lose composure during his performance. He struggled to find the balance between hyping the crowd and maintaining his vocal integrity and finished a disappointing fifth.
Earlier, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar received a hero’s welcome when she walked on stage after midnight to receive a recognition award for supporting the genre and the competition from organiser George Singh.
“Tonight is not for talking, tonight is for singing and dancing. Enjoy the show,” the PM said to a deafening roar of approval.