– Brandon Harding confident of retaining ‘Carib Soca Monarch’ title

CARIB Soca Monarch defending champion, Brandon Harding, is telegraphing a clear-cut message to the other finalists who will be challenging him tomorrow night at the National Park for his crown: Look out for trouble because he is going to be a problem.

Harding, who won the competition last year, on his first outing, is set to come up against 14 finalists who were successful when the semi-finals were staged last weekend in Linden.
Though quite a few newcomers have made the cut this year, Harding is also coming up against the likes of three-time champion, Jumo `Rubberwaist’ Primo, and other competition regulars like Ernesta ‘Nesta’ Nelson and Melissa ‘Vanilla’ Roberts.
The other finalists include, Lil Colywin, Static, Sexy Berry, True, Ryan T, Real Proof, Passion, Vintage, Natural One, Stephen Ramphal and Sasha Melody.

But Harding says he has no fear, he’s in a lane all his own.
“I am not taking anyone lightly. This is a competition and I thrive on competition. I know I am up against the likes of Jumo, Vanilla and Nesta, and there are also singers with some really good songs and good talent who are in it to win it. However, the only person who will beat Brandon is Brandon. I am the problem and the problem is me, for Carib Soca Monarch 2019,” Harding established.

The ever-confident 24-year-old, has already had a good chance to size up his competition, having performed himself at the semi-finals last Saturday, and he says from what he’s seen against what he’s bringing, the judges might as well give him the crown now.
“To be honest if the semifinals was the finals I think I would’ve won. I feel good, I feel confident, this is my time to do what I have to do. and I’m working hard to get stuff together for Saturday. I can’t wait,” Harding stated.

Harding will be attacking his competition with a number called “Alone” that speaks of having a good time feting with or without company. It leaves to be seen on Saturday night, when the gauntlet is thrown down, how the defending champ’s song will size up against Jumo’s “Tribute”
Harding cautioned that some serious energy will be unleashed to back his lyrics.
“Fans can expect the unexpected, I don’t want to let nothing out of the bag, but I’ll be coming hard to defend. A lot of energy, the same Brandon but even more energy,” he boasted.

The recently re-migrated Harding, has since his win last year, been busy performing at several events internationally.

Despite his many years singing in Guyana, it was only last year that Harding decided to enter the local Soca competition, following back to back successes at the Soca competitions that were held in St Lucia, where he had resided for a while.

The winner of this Saturday’s competition will walk away with a whopping top prize of $1.5 million. The contestant who gains the judges’ nod for second place will walk away with $750,000, while the third and fourth-placed winners will receive $500,000 and $250,000 respectively. A prize of $100,000 is up for grabs for the “Best Newcomer.”