Chutney Soca Monarch Competition 2011 in pictures

Rikki Jai takes $2m Chutney Soca title
Rikki Jai (Samraj Jaimungal) became the first $2 million monarch of Carnival 2011 when he won the NLCB Chutney Soca Monarch competition at Skinner Park, San Fernando, on Saturday night…

Crowd divided over Chutney Soca results
When Samraj “Rikki Jai” Jaimungal’s name was announced, there was booing and shouting “nooo” from some sections of the massive crowd who packed into the Skinner Park, San Fernando ground.

Ravi B apologises for behaviour
Dethroned Chutney Soca Monarch, Ravi Bissambhar, has apologised to fans, patrons and Southex Ltd, promoters of the annual Chutney Soca Monarch competition, after inciting irresponsible behaviour from the fans at the end of his guest performance at the show on Saturday night.

Kamla, Gypsy star in Chutney Soca
From a Minister of Govern-ment performing extempo to a soca artiste serenading the Prime Minister with a classic reggae hit, the 2011 edition of the NLCB Chutney Soca Monarch final featured scintillating performances and energetic dance routines that captivated the massive audience at Skinner Park, San Fernando on Saturday night.

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Ravi B’s behaviour ‘unacceptable’
George Singh Jr, chief executive officer of Southex, says he is disappointed with the actions of dethroned Chutney Soca Monarch, Ravi Bissambhar, during his guest performance at Saturday night’s final.

…Gypsy apologises for Ravi B
Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Winston “Gypsy” Peters has spoken out against Ravi “Ravi B” Bissembhar’s incitement of irresponsible behaviour from the audience at Saturday’s Chutney Soca Monarch finals in San Fernando.

…Alarming incitement by chutney soca man

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February 23, 2011

Roodal wants criminal probe in pelting incident
Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal thinks that Ravi “Ravi B” Bissambhar should be criminally investigated for inciting supporters to throw missiles onto the stage at the Chutney Soca Monarch final…

…Moonilal hits Ravi B’s conduct

…Now promoters cancel Ravi B Children’s Show

…Sore losers
We must first acknowledge that Ravi B apologised for his behaviour at the end of the Soca Chutney Finals on Saturday night. And we note that the apology was contrite and sincere, and we take him at his word that he deeply regrets having called upon the audience to protest the decision which gave his colleague in Chutney, Rikki Jai, the title and the two million-dollar first prize.

Promote non-alcoholic songs
Arrive Alive’s Brent Batson has congratulated Rikki Jai for winning the 2011 Chutney Soca Monarch title and the historic first prize of $2 million. Baton, however, warned Jai to take note of the high level of drinking and driving on the nation’s roads and suggested he focus on more positive messages in his songs.

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15 finalists in Chutney Soca Monarch 2011 race

February 10, 2011

After a grueling semifinal round at the Rienzi Complex Couva, and four intense days of both on-line and text voting for the bmobile wild card that accumulated more than 26,000 votes, the names of the 15 Chutney Soca Monarch finalists are finally in. The 15 now move to the final round in the “Race for 2 Million” scheduled for Skinner Park, San Fernando, on February 19.

The 15 finalists are (in no particular order):

Terry Gajraj
Rick Ramoutar
Lalchan Babwah The Hunter
Drupatee Ramgoonai
Veeshal Persad
Vashanle Artle Butkoon
Rikki Jai
Sally Sagram
Anil Bheem
Ravi B
Nirmal Adesh Samaroo
O’neil Bhajman
Neeshan Hitman Prabhu
Kenneth Supersad
bmobile wild card—
Michael “Soca Elvis” Salloum

http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2011/02/10/15-finalists-race-2m

Ravi Bissambhar popularly known as ‘Ravi B’ was crowned the Chutney Soca Monarch 2010 for his winning performance of “Ah Drinka”, becoming the youngest ever Chutney Soca Monarch. Members of the the audience as well as viewers worldwide overwhelmingly voted by text for Ravi B, who tallied 9575 votes to win the $200,000 first prize. Ravi B, who came second last year excited the crowd with his song which told of marital difficulties between a young couple that was caused by the husband’s love for drinking and liming:

“Yuh cyah change meh, no way,
Gul U know I was ah drinka, U always know I was ah drinka.
Yoy kya change meh, no way,
Gul U know I was ah drinka, U always know I was ah drinka,
You only telling me, what I should do and say (2)
Just how your mother have your father
(Chorus)

Gul you know I was ah drinker, U always know I was ah drinka.”

In second place was veteran singer and five time winner Rikki Jai with his song “Bar Man” taking home a $100,000 prize while young Moses Charles, who has been enjoying a good season with “Indrani” gave a strong performance which earned him third place. Kris Persad employed moko jumbies to portray Sunita and Nadia in his performance of his song “Cath Meh Lover” as he rode a white horse on stage. He placed 4th with a vote tally of 1988 votes. Omardath Maharaj placed fifth with “Millitary Bacchanal” while Lalchan ‘Hunter’ Babwah was sixth with his song “Puncheon”.

Organised by Southex Promotions, the 2010 Chutney Soca Monarch opened with the Shiv Shakti dancers giving their usual colourful performance under the direction of Michael Salickram. They were followed by Anil Bheem and Soca singer Shurwayne Winchester who warmed the audience up with a couple of songs. After a short firework display which was enjoyed by the audience from their screams and applause, it was time for the competition.

Last year’s winner Kenneth Salick, accompanied by his dancers, kicked off the competition singing a Chutney love song “How long I will wait”, which earned him 7th place. Other finalists included three-time winner Heeralal Rampartap singing “Reviver”, ‘Soca Elvis’ (“Rum Doh bother Me”), Neeshan ’Hitman’ Prabhu ( b]”Spanna”[/b]), Andy Singh ( b]”Gyul from India”[/b]) and Derrick Seales (“Chutney Lover”).

For the second straight year, the results were determined entirely by the audience who texted their choices which were then tallied to determine the winners. This judging system was implemented because of the protests against the judges decisions in previous competitions. Over 35,000 persons voted in over 50 countries to decide the winners.

The finalists went all out in their efforts to capture the crown and the $200,000 first prize. They employed skits, moko jumbies, dancers and other props in their efforts to capture the attention of the audience. Also performing on the night were top Chutney bands including Karma, T&TEC Gayatones and Spread Pal Crew. The large crowd at Skinner Park thoroughly enjoyed the show as they danced and had a time into the wee hours of the morning.

Results

Chutney Soca Monarch 2010 RAVI B – 9575

2nd place\ RIKKI JAI – 4872
3rd place\ MOSES CHARLES – 2060
4th place\ KI PERSAD – 1988
5th place\ OMARDATH MAHARAJ – 1641
6th place\ HUNTER – 1489
7th place\ KENNETH SALICK – 1400

Chutney SOCA Monarch 2010 Videos

By Southex Promotions…

Moses Charles – “Indrani”

Kenneth Salick – “How Long”

Ravi B – “Ah Drinka”

Rikki Jai – “Barman”

Omardath Maharaj – “Millitary Bacchanal”

Derrick Seales – “Chutney Lover”

Soca Elvis – “Rum Doh Bother Me”

Heeralal Rampartap – “Reviver”

Hunter – “Puncheon”

Kris Persad – “Catch Meh Lovah”

Andy Singh – “Girl From India”

Hitman – “Spanna”

So it’s Carnival Sunday once again. The country is alive with that special energy. Today, I extend a special “welcome home” to those of the Trinbagonian diaspora who are “home” for the festivities. For many who reside abroad, this pilgrimage is an important way of connecting with our “roots.” In the travel and tourism industry, we call these people VFR traffic, that is, those who come to visit friends and relatives.

Derren Joseph logoMy uncle Steve is one of these overseas-based Trinis who visits for Carnival when he can. Last week, Uncle Steve was sharing with me his memories of Carnival growing up. His mother discouraged him from participating in Carnival, because of its association with violence and negativity. In secondary school, Short Pants helped me understand just how important history is. So now, I enjoy talking to the elders about Trinidad in times gone by. We could never know where we are going until we appreciate where we came from. This Carnival I enjoyed my calypso. Despite rumours to the contrary, calypso is alive and well. Kudos to Pink Panther, Brother Resistance, Karega Mandela and the rest of the TUCO executive.

It has been a good season. Audiences in the tents and bigger concerts were good. I especially liked the idea of making tent tickets available online and having shows at Fiesta Plaza in MovieTowne. This Carnival I enjoyed my soca. Kudos to Machel Montano on sanctifying the Heavenly Drums in his message this year. Won’t Stop is still my favourite for Road March. My favourite fete memories this year involve bands like Kes and Roy Cape singing ole time calypso from Sparrow and Kitch. Soca and calypso are like two brothers born from the same father. This Carnival I enjoyed my pan. Kudos to Pan Trinbago on a great Website: www.pantrinbago.co.tt.

I live in Petit Valley, and was blessed with sweet pan music floating through the night air, as nearby HCL Valley Harps would practise on evenings. This Carnival I enjoyed the free concerts. Kudos to sponsors like Power 102FM and bmobile who put on free concerts in Woodford Square. This Carnival I am enjoying my Queen’s Park Savannah. Kudos to Howard Chin Lee and the team at the National Carnival Commission (NCC) on overseeing what we Trinis consider the greatest show on earth. The upgraded “greens” and mini Carnival Village were some of the little touches that were almost universally-appreciated.

This Carnival I will enjoy my mas. Last Sunday, I was sitting in a waiting room at Cascadia Hotel with many others, excitedly waiting for our numbers to be called, to go into the next room to collect our costumes. A Tribe video was playing at the front of the room. Dean Ackin was commenting on the band. For a moment, my mind went back to the new Peter Minshall documentary that was recently screened. At that moment, I thought: suppose Minshall and Tribe were to combine and bring out a single band. Wow! That would be something! Unity of what my friend Bose would term, “mas from the heart,” and contemporary commercial mas? We have so much to be thankful for.

Permit me to borrow a verse from King David Rudder:
Our Father who has given us this art
So that we can all feel as if we are a part
Of your heaven….amen
Forgive us this day our daily weaknessess
As we seek to cast our mortal burdens on this painful city…amen
And on this day when we come out to play and sway
And do a little breakaway
Some will say what they have to say
But only you know the pain we’re feeling…..amen
As it was in the beginning of J’Ouvert
So it shall be on Carnival Tuesday ending (good vibes)…amen
Be safe for Carnival, regardless of what you do.

As always, I end by saying that despite our challenges, we are so blessed to live in this beautiful country. We need to remember and acknowledge just how much uplifting work is being done all around us.

The finalists in the Chutney Soca segment are Rikki Jai, Heeralal Rampartap, Adesh Samaroo, Neeshad Sultan, Rick Ramoutar. Asha Kamachee, Soca Elvis, Arti Butkoon, Neeshan Prabhu, Edward Ramdass, Rajin Dhanraj, Surendra Ramoutar and Shalleika Hazel. They will be trying to take away the title currently held by Rooplal Girdharie.
Full Article : newsday.co.tt

Calypso, Soca, and Chutney-Soca Videos

Chutney mover and shaker Nirmal “Massive” Gosein plans to dedicate the 2007 launch of his Roving Chutney Calypso Tent in honour of Culture Minister Joan Yuille-Williams.

Massive paid a visit to the Guardian Central Bureau over the weekend to announce plans for the fifth anniversary celebrations of the tent.

He said despite the trials and tribulation and the lack of support for his tent when it got started, the tent has taken on national appeal. Gosein said through the help of the Yuille-Williams and her ministry the tent has been able to get much needed sponsorship which gave a lot of new artistes much needed exposure.

Adding that he is also grateful to the media, the affable impresario said: “The media has supported the tent since its inception and has given us a lot of much needed exposure, so I must convey my thanks to all the media practitioners.”
Full Article : guardian.co.tt