A glowing sea of white flowed into Twin Wall Compound, La Romaine on January 28 as Southex Promotion's Girlz Gone White pumped fans up for the finals of the Chutney Soca Monarch on February 11. Featuring five big bands, artistes made their claim to dethrone defending champion Rikki Jai, whose title contending song Johnnie Walker has already become a power hit. Thousands of chutney soca lovers gathered to witness epic performances by Indosaf Melobugz, Karma, Dil E Nadan, JMC 3Veni and a powerful sting from Kes the band. Kicking of the night was Melobugz with Artie Butkoon, who warmed up for her challenge to become Chutney Soca Monarch's first queen. The audience screamed when Butkoon asked if it was time for a woman to walk away with the title. Karma delivered an explosive performance, although its member Gregory Ayuen did not advance to the final of the competition. Ayuen along with Ravi B and Nisha B belted out a number of soca and chutney soca hits. Ravi B called promoter George Singh onto the stage and publicly expressed their unity, despite a perception that he (Ravi B) declined to enter the competition because of bad blood between him and Singh.
Singh informed patrons that it was Ravi B's decision to stay out of the competition this year, and instead opted to be a guest. Reigning Chutney Soca Monarch, Rikki Jai, delivered another title worthy performance, a clear indicator that he is intent on holding on to his crown. KI Persad, who continues to blitz fetes across the country with his selection Single Forever, had fans singing and dancing wildly as he and his band gave off a stirring performance. However, Kes the Band stole the show with their compilation of hit soca music from three years back. Showing that he was a performer of style and energy, the dread locked heartthrob climbed over the fence and ran into the Angostura VIP section, where he revelled with fans.
