BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IT was an evening of pulsating rhythms, dazzling creativity, and the inevitable cries of "you cheat!" as the 2024 Groovy and Power Soca Monarchs were crowned early Sunday morning (Dec. 15) .
The competition brought excitement, surprises, and a touch of controversy among some artistes and the audience. When the dust finally settled, Ras Kelly emerged victorious in the Groovy category, scoring 408 points to claim the crown and the grand prize of $20,000.
Jazzbo and Tobap earned second place with 381 points, securing a $10,000 prize, while Delly Ranks came in third, walking away with an $8,000 cheque.
In the Power Soca category, it was a closely contested battle, but in the end, AkaiiUSweet & Tobap triumphed with 420 points, taking home the crown and another $20,000. Riktik placed second with 376 points, and Jazzbo rounded out the top three with 371 points.
The Soca Monarch competition remains one of the marquee events on the Carnival calendar, as demonstrated by the vibrant turnout at Carnival Village in Warner Park last night.
Minister of the Creative Economy Smala Duggins was present to crown the winners and distribute the prizes. He expressed admiration for the high-energy performances, telling SKNVibes Entertainment: "We can clearly say that the Soca Monarch is back to its glory days. I think the standard of performances tonight was very high. In the end, based on the reactions of the crowd, the preferred artiste won."
After years of declining audience numbers, the competition saw a slight improvement in turnout compared to 2023, a positive sign highlighted by Minister Duggins. He emphasized the government's commitment to reviewing and improving the event for future editions.
Meanwhile, SKNVibes caught up with the winners after their crowning moments. They shared plans to take some time off to celebrate their victories but expressed optimism about returning next year to defend their titles.
Ras Kelly, already looking ahead, has ambitious plans for Carnival 2025. "Pulling off the double will be my challenge for next year," he told SKNVibes.
The excitement and energy of this year’s competition reaffirmed its place as a pivotal event in Carnival’s vibrant celebrations.
