Chutney Soca Monarch competition names 14 finalists

WHO will win the Chutney Soca Monarch (CSM) 2025?

That is the $400,000 question being asked as the finalists were announced on February 10, for this competition which has become an integral part of the Carnival landscape over the past 30 years.

Four of the female finalists – Reehanna Gopaul, Hurricane Hemlatha Dindial, Warrior Princess - Reshma Ramlal and Vanessa Ramoutar – are also vying for the top spot, as well as the Queen of Chutney Soca title. The 2024 CSM queen, Rawytee Ramroop, failed to advance to the final round.

Southex CEO George Singh, who promotes the event, is already promising a stage and setting like no other ever seen, and a show that would surpass past expectations.

The show is free to the public and Singh is anticipating that fans of both the chutney and soca genres will crowd Skinner Park, San Fernando on March 1, to experience something unique.

A statement from Southex said, “A battle royal has been set for the grand final as the five-time soca monarch, two-time groovy soca monarch, reigning calypso monarch and the undisputed 'King of Soca,' Machel Montano, and nine-time chutney soca monarch and undisputed 'King of Chutney Soca,' Rikki Jai, has set the stage for what will definitely be a historic battle at Skinner Park on Carnival Saturday.”

Southex said only a few points separated Montano and Rikki Jai who both topped the semifinals which saw outstanding, high-energy performances from 32 contenders on February 8 at La Tropical, La Romaine.

“They distanced themselves from the rest of the pack that included past champions Neval Chatelal and Daddy Chinee. Rick Ramoutar, the defending 2024 chutney soca monarch and the 'King of Guyana’s Chutney,' Terry Gajraj are also on the card to compete at the grand final.”

Singh said the semifinal venue proved to be too small to contain the audience which occupied every possible space and, on that basis, will move to an outdoor arena in 2026 to accommodate fans.

The show's audiences have been declining over the years, hence the decision to move to smaller venues.

Singh believes the integration of calypsonians, soca and chutney artistes, fusing the Indian and African elements of their different cultural expressions, would have led to the renewed interest.

The artistes came with their ‘A-game’ he said, and owing to their outstanding performances, they could not select only eight finalists, as agreed upon, but 12, to do battle with defending monarch Rick Ramoutar and Guyanese Chutney giant, Terry Gajraj, who has gained automatic entry into the finals, by virtue of being chosen as the wildcard, for a total of 14 finalists.

Rikki Jai, in a WhatsApp message to the Newsday on Februray 10, said he was confident he would secure his tenth CSM crown.

“Now that I have topped the semis along with Machel, I can assure the fans to expect nothing less than what they’ve been accustomed to when Rikki Jai hits the stage for a CSM final.

“I am elated to be in the finals once again amongst my peers in chutney and soca. I am happy to see such a renewed interest by so many soca artistes including Machel, to be a part of CSM and by broader extension, the chutney industry.

“It only augurs well for greater development and greater unity and more collaboration amongst all artistes of TT and hopefully, soon the rest of the world.”

Montano is not the only soca artiste selected as a finalist, so too Olatunji who will be accompanying Sexy Vanessa, and Lil Bitts, who will be bringing the fight to the front with Warrior Princess.

San Fernando mayor Robert Parris, who witnessed the explosion of fusion of culture on the La Tropical stage, said while the genesis of CSM was about fusing the rhythms and melodies of the traditional East Indian chutney music and soca, he was happy to be part of the audience blown away by the unity and harmony of the artistes at the semis.

“This really speaks well for what we can become. I always say culture can do more for us than politics ever could. It unites us as a people. I congratulate George Singh for always pushing the envelope.”

He recalled that the one occasion Singh took CSM to Port of Spain, “that was one of the biggest travesties in San Fernando carnival.

“I told George, don’t ever take CSM from San Fernando. There is something synonymous with CSM and Skinner Park. I believe Skinner Park is the rightful home of CSM.”

He said soon, Southex will be taking up a space at Skinner Park, as a reflection of the diverse cultures in TT. The Trinbago Calypso Organisation (TUCO) already occupy offices at the venue and the mayor said soon they will be engaging more business ventures.

FINALISTS

Rick Ramoutar (defending monarch)

Terry Gajraj (wildcard)

Machel Montano

Wackerman

Reehanna Gopaul

Ricardo Melville

Rikki Jai

Hurricane Hemlatha Dindial

Neval Chatelal

Warrior Princess – Reshma Ramlal

Master Saleem

Adesh Samaroo

Veekash Sahadeo

Vanessa Ramoutar