Eighteen Guyanese soca singers have been shortlisted to vie for the title of Carib Soca Monarch 2015 when the event kicks off on January 31, with the semi-finals in New Amsterdam, Berbice. The 18 semi-finalists were drawn from the 32 entries that were submitted to the secretariat.
The entries were judged on lyrics, diction, originality, rendition and musical arrangement and making the tough decision as to who the finalists are were Curtis “Casual” Armstrong, Paul “Rocky” Carew, Kerwin Christian and Devon Roberts.
The competition will see the return of Adrian Dutchin and George Abrams also called “Chiney” with their entries titled, “592 Posse” and “Mirror” respectively. Two- time Carib Soca Monarch Jumo Primo is ready to take over from the reigning champion, Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson with his entry, “Unruly”.
The others are Ashanti Hostad with “Wickedee Wine”, Dean McRae with “Mash Up”, Devon Lewis with his entry “I Ain’t Gon Be Late” while Ernesta Nelson will be performing “Ain’t Stopping” and Jermaine Mac Been with “Bumpa”.
The others include Jonathan King with his entry “Mash Up De Place”; dancehall artiste, Jory Hector with “Whistle”; Kemmyanna Garnett with “One for My Country”; Levar Gittens will be performing “Monster Attack”; Mark Amar with “Right Now” and Melissa Roberts with “Massive”.
Rounding off the top 18 is Onassis Croker with his soca song titled “Enjoying My Life”; Orlando Johashen with “Ebola”; Quacy Coates will be performing “She Ready” and Timika Nicholson with “Feva”. The reigning monarch will compete on the night of the finals which is set for February 14 at the National Park Tarmac.