FIGHT!

The two most popular female soca artistes in the land — Denise Belfon and Destra Garcia came to blows on Thursday night, trading punches and tearing at each other’s hair and clothes and giving spectators a totally unexpected side show.

The fight followed an earlier stage-side altercation between them. The battle took place at the Angostura car park in Laventille, after the company’s internal Carnival competition came to a close. Eyewitness reports state that Denise Belfon arrived for her guest performance and while sorting out her music, Destra Garcia arrived. On hearing Belfon’s music playing and not seeing her, Garcia told the DJ to play her (Garcia’s) tracks instead, because she had two other engagements to fulfil as well and her track should be played. The change of music attracted Belfon, who went up to the DJ to find out what was going on. She too informed the DJ that she had other engagements to fulfil.

Around that same time, members of the audience, who caught a glimpse of Belfon, started chanting for her to come on stage. However, Garcia mounted the stage and went straight into her performance. When she was finished, Garcia met Belfon in the car park and tried to explain why she got on the stage, but a heated argument ensued. According to reports, Garcia threw a glass of water on Belfon during the argument

Belfon immediately got out of her car and the two soon started trading punches with Belfon getting the better of the exchanges. Garcia was then pulled away from Belfon, but the “lightweight” of the two was not pleased. Like a growling tiger, Garcia once again lunged at Belfon and managed to pull out a bit of Belfon’s weave off of her head. This made Belfon livid and she subsequently dealt Garcia some severe blows that left her unable to sing at any other engagement for the night. Eyewitness reports are that Garcia left with parts of her clothing torn off. Garcia was supposed to have sung at the Spektakula Promotions’ “Band Meet Band” show, but did not turn up. The show itself proved to be a failure given that the event only managed to attract a couple hundred patrons. At Republic Bank’s Carnival show, it was reported that the house announcer apologised for Garcia’s non-appearance, stating that it was a “long story.”

Up to press time, there were no police reports about the incident and Newsday was unable to contact Garcia. However, on reaching Belfon, she simply stated: “I don’t want to say anything about it. I’m not happy about it.” Angostura’s corporate communications manager, Giselle La Ronde-West, confirmed that there was an incident, but said that she was still waiting for reports of the incident. She also indicated that it was only Garcia who was able to perform at the event and expressed the hope that both parties would resolve the matter quickly for their own sake. Newsday also understood that the company may also be thinking of asking the feuding artistes for an apology.