Its hard to believe that it has been 20 years since chutney soca star Rikki Jai made his mark in the entertainment industry. But the big celebration bash at the Sting nightclub on November 27 said it all. Members of the music fraternity were out in their numbers , all wanting to hail the illustrious career of Rikki Jai (Samraj Jaimungal), who has earned his place as one of the nation's leading chutney soca artistes.
Since the start of his career in 1986, Jai has won several competitions, including the Young King of Calypso, the National Unattached Calypso Monarch, and South Calypso Monarch competitions. And on his special night, he shared the spotlight with many of his counterparts, including chutney soca monarch, Ravi B, Nisha B, Dil E Nadan's Raymond Ramnarine, Black Stalin, Denise Belfon and Barbadian singer Allison Hinds.
Also in attendance was Attorney General, Anand Ramlogan, and cricketer Dave Mohammed.
Describing Jai as his mentor, Karma's Ravi B, was at the top of his game as he rocked the crowd for a solid 30 minutes with some of his most popular hits. Ramnarine followed suit and had the fans screaming.
Announcing her intention to enter the 2011 Chutney Soca Monarch competition with the song, I Want to Wine on an Indian Man, which was written by Jai himself, Hinds was the next artiste to take centre stage. As the patrons screamed her name, Hinds was then joined onstage by Denise "Saucy Wow" Belfon, and together they had the crowd in a frenzy.
But the night firmly belonged to Jai. The cheers were nothing short of deafening as he mounted the stage shortly after 3am. Jai, a five time Chutney Soca Monarch winner, immediately thanked both the artistes and fans alike for their unwavering support over the past two decades, and pledged his desire to continue to contribute to T&T's musical landscape. He was presented with a plaque by the Attorney General, on behalf of the Red Carpet Sports Bar and Lounge. Barman, Text Yuh, Sumintra, and Pumping were just a few of the songs on Jai's playlist, as he kept the momentum flowing well into the wee hours of the morning.