Battle of the Kings: Rikki Jai, Montano among 14 vying for Chutney Soca Monarch crown
Newsday Reporter
Nine-time CSM king Rikki Jai performed Happy Anniversary at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals at La Tropical, Rig Compound on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
THIS year's Chutney Soca Monarch (CSM) title will be an epic battle between two kings as the king of chutney Rikki Jai and the king of soca Machel Montano face off.
Both Jai and Montano emerged with the top scores at the CSM's semifinal round which took place at La Tropical, Rig Compound, La Romaine on February 8.
The pair are seeking to dethrone the reigning chutney monarch Rick Ramoutar and pocket the $400,000 prize purse.
Of the 14 contestants, four women will also be competing for the crown as well as the Queen of Chutney Soca title.
This year's finalists include Machel Montano, Kerron "Wackerman" Williams, Reehanna Gopaul, Ricardo Melville, Rikki Jai, Hurricane-Hemlatha Dindial, Saleem "Master Saleem" Beharry, Adesh Samaroo, Vanessa Ramoutar, Veekash Sahadeo and Rick Ramoutar – defending champion.
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Terry Gajraj was added to the competitor list as a "wildcard" entrant. Implemented in 2024, this option allows non-nationals to participate in the show. The wildcard entrant will receive free travel to Trinidad courtesy Caribbean Airlines and free accommodation from Paria Suites Hotel & Convention Centre.
Newsday photographer Innis Francis attended the event and captured these images.
Reigning Chutney Soca Monarch Rick Ramoutar performed at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals at La Tropical, Rig Compound, La Romaine on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Kerron Tyron "Wackerman" Williams performed Ganga Channa at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Veekash Sahadeo performed his song Bataawo Balam at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Suresh Maraj performed D' Driver at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Amit "Stargram" Sagram performed Kyalay Jaibo at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Shiva Mohammed sang Awo Na alongside Jardine "Jadel" Leceze at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals. - Photo by Innis Francis
Vanessa "Sexy Vanessa" Ramoutar performed Is Ah Indian Wedding alongside Olatunji Yearwood. - Photo by Innis Francis
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"Sexy Vanessa" and Olatunji Yearwood were supported by tassa drummers during their performance of their song Is Ah Indian Wedding at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals. - Photo by Innis Francis
San Fernando Mayor Robert Parris greeted the audience at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Robin Jagdip performed Millionaire with Super Blue at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Rikki Jai during his performance of his song Happy Anniversary at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals. - Photo by Innis Francis
Reehanna Gopaul performed Firewood at the Chutney Soca Monarch Semifinals on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Rawytee Ramroop performed her song Take One at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Suresh "Rampo" Rampersad performed Jamuna Gagari at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
O'Neil Bhajman performed Toh Raja Mossay at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals at La Tropical, Rig Compound on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Nigel Gobin performed Since Yuh Leave at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
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Neval Chatelal performed Vibration at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Rohanie "Nel Ramdass" Ramdass and Marcus "Reece" Seepersad performed Bubble Ah Pot at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Nari "Nari R" Ragaghubir performed Nothing To Loss at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals. - Photo by Innis Francis
Warrior Princess performed Pooha Not Ready featuring Lil Bitts at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals. - Photo by Innis Francis
Devindra "Mr DG" Gattoo performed Katrina. - Photo by Innis Francis
Amit "Mittyranks" Baksh performed My Johnnie Walker at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals at La Tropical, Rig Compound on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Saleem "Master Saleem" Beharry performed Karma at La Tropical at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Machel Montano performed Pepper Vine at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Sarika "Lady Triple S" Sultan performed Playing Games at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
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Deodath "Jus Jake" Birbal wined low as he performed Fireside Duck at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Hemlatha "Hurricane Hemlatha" Dindail performed Japti at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals at La Tropical, Rig Compound on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Davindra "Davin R" Ramdath performed Last Lap at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Ricardo "Daddy Chinee" Melville performed I Love Chutney Soca at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals at La Tropical, Rig Compound on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Colin "CJ" Jackman performed Sarika at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Kavita "Chutney Empress" Ramkissoon performed Lag Jaayengi at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals at La Tropical on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Chris Garcia performed Meet Meh By Caura at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals at La Tropical on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Kendel "Captain Kendel" Jaggernauth performed Living Better at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals on February 8. - Photo by Innis Francis
Adesh Samaroo performed Who Could Dance Better at the Chutney Soca Monarch semifinals. - Photo by Innis Francis
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"Battle of the Kings: Rikki Jai, Montano among 14 vying for Chutney Soca Monarch crown"