Machel Montano has warned fellow competitors that he intends to complete a hat-trick of wins next year. “I must let it be known that you never know how I will arrive or depart but keep this in mind, I am leaving with the crowns,” he stated in a brief address loudly applauded by the full house of invited guests at the launch of the 2013 International Soca Monarch Competition at the Hyatt Regency, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain.
Montano won the Power title in 2011, when he returned to competition after an absence of several years, and repeated this year in addition to taking home the Groovy crown. Next year’s contest is scheduled for Fantastic Friday, February 8 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
The double crowned monarch was of the view that this year was “fantastic,” and paid tribute to his fellow competitors for not only raising the bar with their live performances but also making marked improvements in the quality of music presented on the occasion.
Produced by the Caribbean Prestige Foundation (CPF), the International Soca Monarch Competition will celebrate its 21st anniversary next year under the theme Soca 21, The People’s Event. It will comprise the Play Whe International Power Soca Monarch competition; Digicel International Groovy Soca Monarch competition; NLCB Tribute to the Classics recognising Ronnie McIntosh, SuperBlue (Austin Lyons) and David Rudder; and Flavorite Supreme Ice Cream National Schools Soca Monarch Competition.