[UPDATED] Rick Ram wins Chutney Soca Monarch, Rawytee Ramroop crowned Chutney Soca Queen

Rick "Rick Ram" Ramoutar has won the Chutney Soca Monarch (CSM) 2024, beating 11 other contestants, including his wife Vanessa "Sexy Vanessa" Ramoutar, and walked away with $400,000. Rawytee Ramroop was crowned Queen of Chutney Soca.

Ramoutar's hit Luuuzzaarr, that is pronounced loser, earned him 407 points at the competition at Skinner Park, San Fernando, on Saturday night before hundreds of spectators.

The results were announced at around 2.30 am on Sunday, and he wiped away tears of joy as his family as other supporters rushed to congratulate him.

He later told reporters that for the past 17 years, he had been in the competition and had never before captured the winning title.

"After 17 years, it truly means a lot to me. Having my family alongside me truly means a lot, and the love and support from everyone, not just this year but from when my career started."

The song was in response to those who spoke badly about him, referring to him as a loser. Ramoutar and his wife wrote the song, which Big Rich In The Pungalunks produced.

On competing with his wife, Ramoutar said he wanted her to win and referred to her as his backbone. He added that his entire presentation, including his clothes and a firetruck prop to "sound the alarm" against bullying, was her idea.

Vanessa added, "I felt as if I won the competition. Our hard work has paid off. It was not just any song; it was a positive song."

Southex organised the competition in collaboration with several organisations. Ramoutar also thanked Southex's CEO George Singh, his supporters, and everyone who had a part to play in this song, including Tony Cuttz and Vicardi Singh, Master Saleem and KI. This year's theme was the Colours of Chutney.

Ramoutar dethroned the 2023 winner, Ricardo "Daddy Chinee" Melville, who placed second with 358 points with the song Tassa and pan. His song featured Satnarine Ragoo.

Ramroop placed third with 350 points, with Whining down to the ground. She was crowned the Queen of Chutney Soca, as the highest placing female artiste, and received a cash prize of $100,000.

Ramroop said she has been performing for over 25 years. She said she is experienced in different music genres.

"Today, 2024, I am so blessed and happy to know that I am crowned a queen of CSM. This winning is not only for myself but for all my beautiful people of this wonderful country and the world," Ramroop said.

She recalled that the song was not what she initially intended to record for the competition.

Like the CSM winner, her son was also produced by Big Rich In The Pungalunks Factory. Kelvin Kissoon and Big Rich wrote it. This year was her third year entering the competition and her first win. In her presentation, she expressed her love for chutney music.

To all upcoming artistes, she added, "Do not ever compete with others. Compete with yourself. Make you a better person each day. Bring out the best version in you."

The 2023 queen, nine-year-old Katelin Sultan, the youngest winner, did not defend the crown, opting to compete in the Intellectual Chutney Monarch competition in Chaguanas, also on Saturday night.

There was a tie for second place. They were Sexy Vanessa, featuring TT dancehall artiste Lady Lava (Keisha Harris), with Suno Suno Balana, and Shazeena "Shazzi" Sabrina Ramsumair with XXX Drama (move on).

Kavita "Chutney Empress" Ramkissoon placed third with the song Driver.

This year was the first time an equal number of women competed against the men (six each).

The competition started around 9. 30 pm on Saturday with Nigel Gobin singing D dog and cat followed by the Chutney Empress.

Although he was not placed, chutney star Adesh Samaroo sang One nip of something, and was a crowd favourite.

First-time competitor but no stranger to the music industry, Kernal Roberts, sang Bollywood party.

Neeshad Sultan, the father of last year's queen, sang Maticoor on d junction while Reehanna "Ree Hanna" Gopaul sang Chero na chero. Sangeeta "D Songstar" Harrypersad sang We doh care.

Three "heroes" from the Indo-Caribbean music industry — Ravi "Ravi B" Bissambhar of the band Karma, Rooplal "Rooplal G" Girdharie and Rafi Mohammed— were honoured.

Guest artistes included Nishard "Nishard M" Mayhroo, Yung Bredda, Pimpin and the 4.1.1 Dance Theatre.

International social media influencer Carla Henry from the US as well as Big Rich co-hosted the event.

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Rick “Rick Ram” Ramoutar has won the Chutney Soca Monarch (CSM) 2024, beating 11 other contestants, including his wife Vanessa “Sexy Vanessa” Ramoutar, and walked away with $400,000.

Rawytee Ramroop was crowned Queen of Chutney Soca.

Ramoutar’s hit Luuuzzaarr, that is pronounced loser, earned him 407 points at the competition at Skinner Park, San Fernando on Saturday night.

The results were announced at around 2.30 am on Sunday, and he wiped away tears of joy as his family as other supporters rushed to congratulate him.

He later told reporters that for the past 17 years, he had been in the competition and had never before captured the winning title.

“After 17 years, it truly means a lot to me. Having my family alongside me truly means a lot, and the love and support from everyone, not just this year but from when my career started.”

The song was in response to those who speak badly about him, referring to him as a loser. Ramoutar and his wife wrote the song, which Big Rich In The Pungalunks produced.

Southex organised the competition in collaboration with several organisations. Ramoutar also thanked Southex’s CEO George Singh, his supporters, and everyone who had a part to play in this song, including Tony Cuttz and Vicardi Singh, Master Saleem and KI. This year’s theme was the Colours of Chutney.

Ramoutar dethroned the 2023 winner, Ricardo “Daddy Chinee” Melville, who placed second, while Rawytee Ramroop placed third.

Ramroop, who also won the Queen of Chutney Soca with the song Whining down to the ground, received a cash prize of $100,000. The 2023 queen, nine-year-old Katelin Sultan, the youngest winner, did not defend the crown, opting to compete in the Intellectual Chutney Monarch competition in Chaguanas, also on Saturday night.

There was a three-way tie for second place with Sexy Vanessa, who sang Suno suno Balana, TT dancehall artiste Lady Lava (Keisha Harris) and Shazeena Sabrina Ramsumair, also known as Shazzi, with XXX Drama (move on).

Kavita Ramkissoon, also known as the Chutney Empress, came in third with the song Driver.