ANSA McAL, on Wednesday, announced the launch of its 10th Carib Soca Monarch competition as they began preparations for a thrilling Mashramani 2015 competition. The team behind the franchise expressed how happy and ecstatic they are for the growth and support the competition has been receiving over the years. 

The Carib Soca Monarch competition is known for setting the vibes and rhythms for Mashramani, with exciting music, thrilling performances and an explosion of lyrics from competitors that try to outdo each other.
Public Relations Officer of Ansa McAl Trading Limited, Darshanie Yussuf, noted at the launch at the ANSA McAL Trading Ltd Head Office at Beterverwagting, the competition has grown to become the biggest franchise of the company and it shows the commitment of the company to the culture and entertainment industry in Guyana.
She stated that this year parts of the competition will be held in Berbice, as they customarily strive to take the event around the country. Subsequently, Coordinator of the Soca Monarch Competition, Nigel Worth disclosed that the semi-finals are proposed to be held on January 31st 2015 in East Berbice and the finals on February 14, 2015 in Georgetown.
The first prize will remain Gy$1.5M, with second, third and fourth-place prizes being Gy$500,000 and Gy$250,000 and Gy$100,000 respectively. There will also be a People’s Choice Award prize for the competitors.
The coordinator also reminded that entries will close on January 5, 2015 and entry forms are available at the Mashramani Secretariat located in the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport Building on Main Street, Georgetown, and at the ANSA McAL Trading Ltd Head Office at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara.

Present at the launch was Brand Ambassador for Carib Beer, Richard Singh, who is known for his exciting promotions. He said the public may look forward to the ‘jump start’ in January which will promote the music, electrifying performances, and the lyrical sensations that have become synonymous with the Carib Soca Monarch competition.
The reigning Carib Soca Monarch, Kwasi ‘Ace’ Edmondson who will be participating in the International Soca Monarch Competition in Trinidad and Tobago, urged his fellow Guyanese and the Guyanese Diaspora residing in the twin-island republic to support him. He will also be defending his crown in Guyana and noted that his fans can look forward to ‘something different’ that is going to be creative and innovative.
Persons are reminded that the rules of the competition are as follows: only persons over 18 years of age can enter; each composition must be original, and must not be longer than five minutes; no composition must have been entered in any other song competition(s); the tempo of each composition must be over 95 beats per minute; each composition will be judged on lyrics, melody, rendition, diction and musical arrangement; and no composition must contain any scandalous, libellous, or lewd material.
The Carib Soca Monarch competition was first hosted in 2004, and had a successful run until 2010, after which there was a year’s hiatus before returning in 2012 with a bang that did not disappoint its many fans.

(Raveena Mangal)