CATEGORY:CARNIVAL
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By Trevor Thwaites (Inside Grenada correspondent)

GRENADA - Defending Calypso Monarch Findley Jeffrey “Scholar”, former Soca Monarchs Wilt Cambridge “Tallpree”, Hollis Mapp “Mr. Killer” and Sheldon Douglas were among a 16-man cast that vied for honors in the inaugural “Groovy Soca Monarch Finals” last Wednesday evening at the Tanteen Playing Field. The event, which will now become a regular feature on the Carnival Calendar, was a joint venture between the Grenada Carnival Committee and the Grenada Progressive Calypso Association (GPAC).

Officials say that the event was organized to further promote and develop the Art form. It is specifically tailored for the artists, who produce songs that are not good enough for the Calypso Finals and which do not fit the jumpy and explosive nature of the Soca Monarch Finals. An Official of the Grenada Carnival Committee stated that the Groovy Monarch competition “…is all about finding a little niche for these artists.”

However, the Groovy Calypsos have also been of a good standard and fans witnesses a keen and exciting contest on Wednesday from around nine o’clock in the evening. Artists were allowed one selection. The brothers Kellon and Kelson Ogiste started the show with a composition entitled “Ah Miss the Mas”. They used the sobriquet ‘Luni Sparks and Electrify.’ Elwin Mark (Elo) came on next with his rendition –“Bacchanal”, followed by Randolph Celestine (Soca Elvis) – “I like it slow”, Raphael Johnson (Croqueta) - “Jenny in the Party, Foster Straker (Super P) - “Baiti”. Mr Killer with his rendition “Spice Isle Rock” performed in seventh position and defending champion Doggies at number eight.

Sheldon Douglas appeared in 9th position with “Work it up”, Torn Stewart Yaga Miser in 10th with “Love up”, Cassin Morain – D Hammer is next with “Seduction, followed by one of the favourites Anthony Phillip – Ranking Marvin “Time to Groove”. Mr West Michael Hezekiah came next with “Debbie”, followed by Jerry Baptiste Papa Jerry with a selection entitled “The Party”. Scholar, who sang in position number 15 did a piece dubbed “Hold what” and Enoch Thomas “Mr Lenz lowered the curtains with his rendition “Not because”.


Andre Welham (Soca Sterling) the Englishman, who has created a stir this year with his song, entitled “Bum Bum Time” was the standby. EC$35,000 dollars were up for grabs in the competition. The winner took home a handsome EC$10,000, the second place EC$7,000 and third place EC$5,000. The other artists each collected an appearance fee of EC$1,000.

The energetic performer Mr.Killa was crowned Groovy Soca Monarch for 2006 after amassing a total of 234 points, beating the second place artiste, Scholar, by a mere 1 point (233). Rankin Marvin came in 3rd place with 229 points. He was followed by Yaga Miser (221), Croqueta (213), Doggies (210), Mr. Lenz (208), Elo (204), Luni Sparks & Electrify (202), Tallpree (201), Sheldon Douglas (200.5), D Hammer (193), Mr. West (187), Soca Elvis (178), Super P (176) and Papa Jerry brought up the rear with (168).