CATEGORY:ENTERTAINMENT --------------------------- By Wallace J.A Inside Grenada correspondent Sunday January 28,2007 GRENADA – In recent years, soca music inside the Spice Isle has been on the rise and many Grenadians soca artistes have been in receipt of very favorable ratings from soca fans throughout the region. Some years ago, Grenada’s Wilt Cambridge alias “Tallpree” made a tremendous impact at the International Soca Monarch competition in Trinidad with his popular song “Old Woman Alone.” Tallpree came up against the best in the region and emerged as the second runner up, although many soca fans from around the Caribbean were of the opinion that he should have won the competition hands down, however, the decision of the judges is always final- and that is what matters in the end. Since then, Grenadians have been going down to the twin-island republic regularly to participate in this prestigious international competition and entertain ardent soca fans from various parts of the international community. This year will be no exception. Three Grenadian soca artistes – Nika Francis, Sheldon Douglas and Hollis Mapp, alias “Baby Killer” – have been chosen to participate in the semi finals of the International competition in Trinidad next month. These three local artistes have had a very impressive season last year, with Baby Killer emerging as the undisputed Road March King in Grenada for Carnival 2K6. The three dynamic performers will be coming up against thirty-three (33) other artistes from around the region in an attempt to book a place in the finals of the competition, which will be made up of the top ten performers. The International Soca Monarch semi-final is scheduled to take place on February 4 and the finals on February 16 at the Hensley Crawford Stadium in Trinidad. All three artistes have their eyes set on the top spot in this competition since it has the potential to catapult their music careers into an entirely new arena where fame and fortune will accompany them. Grenadian Connection (GC) wishes to congratulate the three local soca artistes on this achievement and urge them to do their very best to advance their careers and indelibly place Grenada on the World’s Soca Map. GC also wishes to appeal to the Ministry of Culture and members of the corporate community in Grenada to come forward and give whatever support they can to these young people.