Kamla to crown first $2m Chutney Soca Monarch

Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Winston “Gypsy” Peters says he does not subscribe to the view that the $2 million first prize being offered to the winners of several calypso competitions is too much for one person. Neither does he endorse the suggestion that the attractive purse should be shared among competitors. In an interview, Peters said: “It is not okay for them to share the money.”

He said such an expression (to share) was a sign of professional envy and suggested that instead of being jealous, “let whoever win, walk away with what is given to him/her. “Everybody else around should be happy and contented with what they win,” Gypsy, also a calypsonian, said. Finalists in the Soca Chutney Monarch competition, scheduled for tonight at Skinner Park, San Fernando, believe there should be more equity in the distribution of the prizes. While the Soca Chutney Monarch will walk away with $2 million, the second and third place winners will be awarded cash prizes of  $100,000 and $60,000, respectively. Fourth to 15th placed contestants will collect $30,000 each.

In all, 14 artistes, among them Rikki Jai, Drupatee Ramgoonai-Persad and Soca Elvis, will come up against reigning champion Ravi B for the first $2 million Soca/Chutney Monarch title. George Singh, CEO of Southex Promotions, organiser of the competition said he anticipated that a larger-than-normal crowd would fill the venue tonight. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Peters are expected to attend the event and present the winner with the $2 million prize.