BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – DETHRONING the 2014-2015 Groovy and Power Soca Monarchs, Nicha B and Mr. Hype took the respective crowns last evening (Dec. 23), proving that their Soca prowess was unmatchable.
While he entered both Segments of the competition, Nicha B’s attention was more focused on the Groovy with his tune ‘Can’t Wait’ while Mr. Hype stuck with the Power Segment with his rendition ‘Bite’.
The event, which took place at the Sugar Mill on Port Zante, began sometime after 8:00 p.m. with all the artistes ready to throw down and excite their fans.
The 10 performances in the Groovy Segment came from artistes including defending Monarch Mr. Bagnall, Shakki, Fantastic Tunda, Vincy, Nicha B, Delly Ranks, AJ and Shanna.
And in the Power Segment, defending King Sugar Bowl, Delly Ranks, Piece Ah Man, KT and LAX, Tanabal, Fantastic Tunda, I-Janna, Shanna, Mr. World, Mr. Hype and Ras Kelly were the competitors.
Crowd response is a major part of the competition and while there were pockets of individuals moving along to the music of the Groovy acts, it was not until Nicha B made his entrance that fans flocked to the stage rocking, waving and bouncing to his popular and catchy tune.
He drew even more positive response when he invited ‘Phenomenal’ singer Benjai to sing a few lines of the song.
Mr. Bagnall also excited the crowd with his ‘On d Road’song.
Some struggled to move the crowd in the Power Segment, but a number of them including Sugar Bowl, Mr. Hype and KT and LAX did so with relative ease, seeming to draw energy from their fans. Their interactive pieces captured the hearts of the audience, travelling from their ears to their waistlines.
The reigning King took the controversy which transpired between himself and other Soca artistes and the Carnival Chairman to the stage, poking several jabs at him, which evoked laughter and cheers from the audience.
The five-hour long competition resulted in I-Janna taking the Third Runner-up spot, KT and LAX the Second, Sugar Bowl adjudged First Runner-up and Mr. Hype, from whom the crown was taken in 2013/2014, regained it in the Power Segment.
In the Groovy Segment, the Third, Second and First Runners-up were K-Jah, Fantastic Tunda and Mr. Bagnall respectively, while Nicha B was crowned the new King.
All of the competitors received trophies of participation and the Kings were crowned by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister with responsibility for Carnival, the Hon. Shawn K. Richards, and the evening ended with each King performing a portion of their winning composition.
