KI wins again

Reigning 2012 National Chutney Soca Monarch KI continues to be a winner. The young JMC 3Veni lead vocalist was voted Chutney Soca Entertainer of the Year at last week’s International Reggae & World Music Awards, held in Chicago. Other winners included Rihanna, Pitbull and Marshal. On a roll with 3Veni, KI, who is currently on a US tour, turned in a superb performance last Saturday at the world famous Six Flags venue in New Jersey where some 2,000 cheering fans were in attendance. Also witnessing KI’s acclaimed performance was Arts & Multiculturalism Minister Dr Lincoln Douglas.

JMC 3Veni has made an indelible mark on the West Indian market, branding the Chutney Soca genre of music in places like North America, Barbados and Guyana. Before heading off for more performances at this year’s Caribana in Toronto, Canada, at the end of the month, KI and the band will perform in Antigua tonight. A humble, multi-talented artiste, KI continues to express gratitude to his fast-growing legion of fans, especially for their confidence in him, as well as his recording studio (MAHA). He says, “positivity and prayers are my motto,” and advises young, upcoming artistes that these watchwords are a sure formula to success. He also expressed thanks to his sponsors, inclusive of Carib, Caribbean Airlines, Angostura, bmobile and Brantec. The most played song for T&T C2K12, KI’s Single Forever was played more than 2,100 times on 23 radio stations. KI said he is eagerly looking forward to C2K13 and is promising to come with “plenty new ideas.” He is also excited to be back on the road for Carnival with Trini Revellers, the mas band 3Veni has played for since its inception.  

 

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Cooking in a rage

CAL Invaders makes the best potato salad and Mayaro makes the best curry crab and coconut dumplings. I found this out last weekend when I sat on judging panels on two consecutive evenings to select best dishes when Invaders hosted its pan cookout on Saturday, and the Tourism Development Company (TDC) staged its final Pot Spoon Turn Down cookoff in Mayaro on Sunday. The Invaders cookout was nothing short of sheer fun as chefs from four steel orchestras—LH Pan Groove, NSSO, BP Renegades, Invaders— tried to outdo each other, and achieve bragging rights for having the Best Potato Salad and Best Barbecue. In the end, Invaders was adjudged the Best Overall Team. However, the team that was the talking point was Renegades whose theme of Renegades Goes to the Olympics copped the Best Presentation Award. From laying down lanes on the ground leading to its counter, to affixing the Olympic rings atop its tent, a prize rostrum, a runner bringing in a lit ‘olympic torch’, to some originally named dishes, Renegades ran away from the competition,