Originally posted on the blog Sokah2Soca (www.sokah2soca.com). We bring you only the best new music, while Island Vybe Radio rocks it live on the air!
I understand the frustration! It's always disappointing when popular songs don't make the cut. The selection process for the Chutney Soca Monarch competition can be quite subjective and sometimes controversial.
Regarding the inclusion of Machel Montano, it's true that his entry has stirred up quite a bit of debate. As for Kurt Allen's "Money Done" and Lady Gypsy's "Tanty," or even "Hot Up" by Ravi B and Yung Bredda, it's difficult to say why they didn't make it without knowing the exact criteria used by the judges. Everyone understands that Machel Montano will bring enormous attention to the Chutney Soca Monarch competition. What everyone wants to know is: was the selection process fair?
It's important to remember that competitions like these often have to balance various factors, including diversity, representation, and the overall quality of the performances. While it's easy to question the fairness, it's also a reminder of the subjective nature of art and music.
Someone needs to provide an explanation for these discrepancies and explain to the general public why certain artists and songs, which are not currently as popular as Lady Gypsy's "Tanty" and Kurt Allen's "Money Done," were selected. Is it that the artists are not 'Indian enough' to make the cut, so why did less popular songs win over worthy ones? It could be that the selection process is influenced by factors such as marketing strategies, industry connections, or even the current trends in musical tastes that prioritize certain genres or styles over others, regardless of their artistic merit. If you want to consider your show legitimate and allow it to grow in popularity, then you need to be fair, and most of all, the general public must consider your judging fair!
"For the 30th edition of the CSM, to be held at La Tropical, The Rig Compound, La Romaine, eight female artists and 26 male artists will vie for nine positions in the final, where reigning CSM king Rick Ram (Rick Ramoutar) will defend his title. Also defending her crown as Queen of Chutney Soca is Rawytee Ramroop, who is required to qualify through the semifinal round—Trinidad Express.
The artists selected for the CSM semifinal round are:
- Rawytee Ramroop
- Reehanna Gopaul
- Vanessa Ramoutar
- Kavita Ramkissoon
- Rohanie “Nel” Ramdass
- Reshma Ramlal
- Sarika Sultan
- Hemlatha Dindial
- Deodath Birbal
- Nigel Gobin - Since Yuh Leave
- Colin Jackman
- Kendel Jaggernauth
- Shiva M and Jadel
- Edward Ramdass
- Amit Sagram
- Suresh Maraj
- Wackerman
- Amit Baksh (Mittyranks)
- Master Saleem
- Nari Raghubir
- Rajdeo “Rajah” Rampersad
- Davindra Ramdath
- Robin J
- Suresh Rampo Rampersad
- Devindra Gattoo
- Chris Garcia
- Oneil Bhajman
- Avinash Sookraj and Sunil Ramsundar
- Adesh Samaroo
- Ricardo Melville (Daddy Chinee)
- Veekash Sahadeo
- Neval Chatelal
- Rikki Jai
- Machel Montano - Pepper Vine
