After a two-year hiatus, the Carib Soca Monarch is back but with the absence of several well-known performers, including former champion, Jumo “Rubber Waist” Primo and reigning Carib Soca Monarch, Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson.
This year, the competition will be held in two segments – the first is the semi-final slated for the McKenzie Sport Club Ground on February 10 and the final billed for the National Park on February 17.
The competition will see 15 artistes competing for the title. Initially, the organisers received 18 applications but after an intense house judging, the best 15 were given the green light.
At the semi-finals, five of the contestants will be eliminated and final 10 will go 
ahead and compete in the finals. Point to note however, this year the competition is run by the Education Ministry through the culture, youth and sport department but ANSA McAL under the Carib Beer Brand remains the title sponsor.
The 15 shortlisted to compete for the title are: Alisha “Sasha Melody” Hamid with her tune, “Love Off Meh”; Brandon Harding with “Alive”; Colwin “Lil Colwin” Blair with “Leave Me Alone”; Colwyn “Soca Cwyn” Abrams will perform “Soca Rage”; Delon “Soca Del” Azore will do his rendition “Take A Bounce”; Diana Chapman with “Get Ready”; and Jonathan “Lil Red” King with “Water, Paint & Powder”.
Keron “Norek Mas” Sam is all set with his tune “Power Soca”; Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts will perform “We Run Things”; Quacy “Avalanche” Coates will sing his tune “Life”; Roger “Young Bill Rogers” Hinds with “De Money Power Dance”; Roshauna Fraser will perform “Show Me”; Samantha Grant is expected to perform “Ah Playing Mas”; Shellon “Fluffy” Gally will sing her song titled “Bam Bam” and wrapping up the 15 contestants vying for the title of Carib Soca Monarch 2018 is Stanton “Cardiac” Lewis with his tune titled “Welcome Guyana”.
The competition is expected to be heated since each artiste will bring their own flare and experience to the stage. While it’s too early to predict the outcome of the competition, eyes will be on the return of Brandon Harding. His tune has been creating quite a buzz. Vanilla Roberts is also someone to look out for, as well as Young Bill Rogers.
Jonathan “Big Red” King can also work the stage and so can Colwyn Abrams. The newcomers will be greeted with a battle as they compete with the experienced guys. Guyana Times Entertainment extends best wishes to the artistes.
