In his first foray into the soca arena, local artiste Prophet Benjamin (Devon Samuel) has made it all the way to the finals of the Digical International Power Monarch competition. He is among 11 finalists who will challenge defending champion Machel Montano on Fantastic Friday, February 17, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium,Port-of-Spain. The list of finalists was released yesterday by Caribbean Prestige Foundation for the Performing Arts (CPF), organisers of the competition. Two former title holders are among those who will challenge Machel on the big night - Iwer George (2002, 2004 and 2007) and Shurwayne Winchester (2006).
Seasoned campaigners in the line-up include soca diva Destra Garcia, Blaxx (Dexter Stewart) and Nadia Batson. Finalists from other Caribbean islands include Fireman (Delroy Hooper) of St Vincent, Hard Knoxx (Gerald Lewis) of Antigua and Michael Mercer of Barbados. An exciting competition is also expected in the Groovy category with Machel among those aiming to take the title from Kees Dieffenthaller. The line-up includes KI (Kris Persad), Super Jigga TC (Terrin Callender), Patrice Roberts and Erphaan Alves.
Finalists
Play Whe Groovy Soca Monarch
• 1. Kees Dieffenthaller (defending monarch);
• 2. Destra Garcia;
• 3. Blaxx (Dexter Stewart);
• 4. Erphaan Alves;
• 5. JW and Blaze;
• 6. Kerwin Du Bois;
• 7. KI (Kris Persad);
• 8. Machel Montano;
• 9. Nadia Batson;
• 10. Patrice Roberts;
• 11. Chucky (Roderick Gordon);
• 12. Benjai (Rodney LeBlanc);
• 13. Shal Marshall; and
• 14. Super Jigga TC (Terrin Callender).
Digical International Power Soca Monarch
• 1. Machel Montano (defending monarch);
• 2. Fireman (Delroy Hooper);
• 3. Destra Garcia;
• 4. Prophet Benjamin (Devon Samuel);
• 5. Blaxx (Dexter Stewart);
• 6. Erphaan Alves;
• 7. Hard Knoxx (Gerald Lewis);
• 8. Swappi (Marvin Davis);
• 9. Michael Mercer;
• 10. Nadia Batson;
• 11. Neil Iwer George; and
• 12. Shurwayne Winchester.