Ravi B bows out of Chutney Soca Monarch

Chutney Soca Monarch (CSM) promoter George Singh announced yesterday that government is offering the winner $300,000 as the first prize.

Singh also said the reigning champion, Ravi B, has opted out of this year’s competition.

However, Omardath Maharaj, the other joint 2017 winner, has confirmed that he will be defending his crown.

Singh’s media release says the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts has confirmed this prize package. The second and third place winners will get $100,000 and $70,000 respectively. All other finalists will receive $35,000 each. In total CSM got a total of $750,000, the same amount given to the organisers of the International Soca Monarch competition this year.

Yesterday Ravi B issued a statement saying he had decided to do some self-analysis on how better to serve this forum of music. He outlined two main objectives for 2018: the re-branding of his band, Karma, and the creation of opportunities foryounger artistes to showcase their talents.

“While it has always been my dream to be a beacon of change to chutney soca music in TT, it has also been my wish to see the growth of the chutney soca industry to match the standards of other established music industries,” he said, adding that he would also like to put emphasis on his band and will also be working closely with many younger artistes who he says have shown great potential in this genre.

Ravi B thanked Singh for giving young chutney soca artistes an opportunity to showcase their talent. “Chutney Soca Monarch provides an avenue for young and upcoming, singers, composers, and musicians in this country,” Ravi B said.

Ravi B won CSM on three occasions,in 2010, then in 2015 and in 2017.

Last year he and Maraj each won $325,000. The third place winner, KI, took home $75,000 and Nishard Mayroo got $25,000 for placing fourth, with the other six finalists receiving $25,000 each. Former CSM winner KI Persad has also opted out this year, saying he has his eyes set on other projects. The finals of the competition will take place on January 27 at Skinner Park, San Fernando. The finalists going up against Maraj are: Nermal Massive Gosein, Veejai Ramkissoon, Rikki Jai, Adesh Samaroo, Kenneth Supersad, Nishard Mayroo and Neval Chatelal, Veekash Sahadeo and Ravi Babooram, Imran Beharry, Shivan Ragoonath and Slammer Cutter and Saleem Beharry.

Singh said Ravi B and Karma will be the featured opening act. They will be joined by soca sensation Nailah Blackman and the Khalnayak Dance Academy, led by Brian Mangaroo.

The Chutney Soca Monarch is in its 3rd year and is described as the most important Indo-Caribbean musical event in the world.

“The winners of this competition go on to stages across the region and the world representing not only the unique genre of music but also TT as ambassadors of our music and culture,”Singh said.