Eighteen to vie for Soca Monarch Competition
THE country’s Soca artistes will, again, vie for the king or queen title in the up-tempo genre when the Carib Soca Monarch competition kicks off on February 18 at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground in Linden. The 18 selected contestants have said they are all well prepared for the contest and ready for the challenges that may come with it.
In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Roger Bowen, a second time entrant to the rivalry, said he is confident of emerging winner.
He said, while he was able to make it to the finals in 2009, he did not achieve his goal to be the winner. However, he believes he stands a better chance this year.
The artiste said it was not his intention to take part this year but he was motivated to do so and is pleased with his decision.
“I wasn’t expecting to go into the competition but I was motivated by ‘Chow Pow’. I wasn’t certain if they had one this year but I was in a bus and I heard that the competition is on, so that is how I eventually entered,” Bowen revealed.
According to him, his loss in the previous attempt was because of over confidence. This time, though, he had enough time to be tutored and is sure of a winning position this year.
The 24-year-old young man said he is currently a member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Band and, with some other experience, he thinks he is set for the Soca Monarch 2012.
“I was a part of Mingles Sound Machine but I am, currently, in the Police Band, having started out with the mischievous guys temperature from Linden,” he offered.
Bowen observed that there are a few changes to the way the competition is organised and he believes that is going to pose a challenge but his mind is made up.
“The last time, it was exciting but I have seen a whole change in how the whole Soca Monarch process is organised. It is totally different, as the challenges were, basically, getting sponsorship,” he said.
Bowen, who previously sang ‘In the air’ will sing ‘Fireman’ this year.
He explained that Jomo is one of his mentors so, actually going up against him is good and, “when I win, I can say that I competed with the best.”
The Carib Soca Monarch returns as a feature of the 2012 Mashramani Celebrations after being dropped from the programme last year.
From a total of 33 entrants, as opposed to 15 in 2010, the organisers have selected 18 they believe are suited to compete for the throne and take it from the reigning King Orlando ‘Bones Man’ Johashen, 27, from Tempe Village, West Coast Berbice.
As opposed to previous years, the value of the prizes has been increased. First prize is worth $1.5M, $500,000 more than previously; second $500,000; third $250,000 and the highest placed newcomer will get the usual $10,000.
The others also vying for the winnings include Abigale James, Adrian Dutchin, Atiola Peters, Beverley Smith, Christopher McKoy, George Abrams, Ivelaw Campbell ‘Granny Ivelaw’, Jonathan King (‘Lil Red’), Jumo Primo, Melissa Roberts (Vanilla), Pierre DaSilva, the duet Roger Hassell and Colin Boyce, Roger Hinds (Young Bill Rogers), Rudolph Kendall and Wilbur Levan (‘B52’).