BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - CONGRATULATIONS are in order for the Federation's very own Diedra ‘Cinnamon’ Delsol who was this week awarded the Best New Female Soca Artist of the Year at the 2013 International Soca Awards (ISA).
The Awards was held on Tuesday (Aug. 6) in Grenada, where the Soca/Dancehall artiste won one of the two categories for which she was nominated with her ‘Mash Up’ tune.
She was also nominated for Best Up Tempo Soca of the Year in the female category.
Speaking with the 'Soca Spice', as she is referred to as, she told SKNVibes that she was "shocked and surprised" to learn that she had won the award, adding that she never expected it.
"I was aware that I was nominated but I did not expect to win. I was nominated among artistes from places such as St. Lucia and Trinidad, so I really did not expect to win."
Delsol disclosed that it was her first time being nominated, which made it more of a surprise that she won, adding that she is also very happy for the award and it is an encouragement for her to keep pushing her music.
The 26-year-old thanks all who went online and voted for her, her fans, family and friends who support her.
She also thanks "all the deejays who put put my song on rotation".
With regards to future plans, Delsol informed that she is expecting to have some new tunes released in time for Carnival.
Delsol revealed that she would have liked to participate in the Soca Monarch Competition, which is expected to take place in December as part of the annual Carnival celebration, but stated that she would not be able to do so. "So, for now, I am just working on some new materials and I would hopefully have something new and fresh by mid-October."
Delsol is the second artiste from the Federation to win an award. The first was the Nu Vybes Band International which tied with Krosfyah of Barbados in 2003 for the Best Overall Soca Band Award.
Last year (2012), Shakki Starfire and the Small Axe Band were nominated for the ISA. Shakki was nominated for three awards - Best New Female Soca Artiste, Best Groovy Soca and Best Up Tempo Soca-Female - while the Small Axe Band was nominated for Best Overall Soca Band.
