Batson, Bajan top soca semis

so keen was the competition that a few points separated the top three placings in each category, with Nadia Batson, featuring Kes, leading the power contenders, while Barbados’ Biggie Irie gave the locals a run for their money as he topped the groovy performers.

The International Soca Monarch leg has been rebranded to include the word “power,” which a Caribbean Prestige Foundation spokesperson said is “a sort of redifinition of the fact that this segment is for the more hardcore soca, as opposed to the more melodic groovy category.”

The majority of the 70 out of a scheduled 72 performances included choreographed dance routines, depicting the story behind the song’s lyrics, while others included Carnival dancers in mas costumes.

While most of the male competitors kept their wardrobe simple, their female counterparts did not, some wearing extremely revealing yet presentable outfits, with at least one artiste, Shayna Bailey, shocking the crowd as she wore what was basically her underwear.

Daring Terry Seales of Imij and Co even brought a bed on stage to perform his song “Seduction,” accompanied by fellow band member Michelle Xavier and competitor Michelle Sylvester (who won the first ever Groovy Soca Monarch title).

Other performers who stunned the crowd with their seductive antics included N’Tice with “Wine Down On Me Girl” who annoyed a few audience members when he brought a young girl to wine on stage.

Kes the Band provided back-up music and vocals for bandmate Batson as she competed in both categories and she in turn provided background vocals for some of the “Big Artistes Crew” members, Ms Alysha, Mista Vybe and Michelle Sylvester, proving that while the artistes are competing against each other for the huge cash prizes, there was still mutual respect and unity for each other’s efforts.

Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez was one of the artistes who also tried to get the crowd, especially those who came armed with supporting banners, to hold hands as she encouraged them to “Make A Stage.”

Even some of the veteran artistes like Crazy (who is having a bumper year with “One Foot Cock” and “Cold Sweat”), Iwer George, Blackie, Johnny King and Rikki Jai (who placed second in this year’s Chutney Soca Monarch competition) showed they could still convincingly compete against their younger counterparts.

An unexpected soca contender, well-known rapso artiste, Karega Mandela proved his versatility as he managed to engage the crowd during his song “Celebration Time.”

The sparse crowd included families who walked with their coolers of food and drinks for their children, some of whom stayed on till the wee hours, enjoying every minute of the top class show.

Soca Monarch finalists

Power Soca

Nadia Batson featuring Kes

Patrice Roberts

Blaze and Jay W

Blaxx

Iwer George

Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez

Dawg E Slaughter

Minmi

Denise Belfon

Olatunji

Barry Chandler

Groovy Soca

Biggy Irie

Nadia Batson

Patrice Roberts

Fireball

Chucky

Blazer Dan

Terry Seales

Nnika Francis

Crazy

Blackie