Veteran soca artiste SuperBlue has confirmed that legendary masman Peter Minshall as well as Mike “Big Mike” Antoine will assist in his presentation at the Play Whe Power Soca Monarch competition on Friday. The T&T Guardian was informed last week that the mas legend would assist Lyons with his presentation.
SuperBlue, whose real name is Austin Lyons, confirmed this in a brief interview after yesterday’s draw for positions for both the Play Whe International Power Soca Monarch and Digicel Groovy Soca Monarch, held at the Hyatt Regency, Port-of-Spain. He is among 11 competitors vying to take the Power Soca Monarch title from Machel Montano.
SuperBlue, whose real name is Austin Lyons, confirmed this in a brief interview after yesterday’s draw for positions for both the Play Whe International Power Soca Monarch and Digicel Groovy Soca Monarch, held at the Hyatt Regency, Port-of-Spain. He is among 11 competitors vying to take the Power Soca Monarch title from Machel Montano.
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| Nine-time Soca Monarch Austin Lyons (SuperBlue) hugs Elizabeth Montano, mother of defending champion Machel Montano, after the draw for the Play Whe International Power Soca Monarch and Digicel Groovy Soca Monarch competitions at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain, yesterday. Photos: Kearra Gopee |
The competitions will take place on Friday (Fantastic Friday) at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain. Lyons is expected to perform in position 11. Defending champion Montano is performing in position nine in both Power Soca and Groovy Monarch. Destra Garcia will perform in position seven in both categories. Many artistes present for yesterday’s drawing said they were prepared for not only the show but also for the eventual outcome.
Darryl “Farmer Nappy” Henry who will perform in the sixth position in the groovy category with his popular hit Stranger said: “I am honestly ready for it because for the past seven years my music has been drawing mature people. “The Carnival is groovy heavy and I believe I have a very good chance of winning it,” he said.
“The more you put out, the better your chances of winning. Someone might take $5,000 and get some props and whatever. I looking to spend $50,000.” Patrice Roberts, performing in the eighth position, said she was ready to perform in the groovy competition. Veteran chutney soca singer Drupatee Ramgoonai, who is performing in first position in the groovy category, said she is ready to take first.
“I am loving everything and lapping up everything,” she said, when asked how she felt to be back in competition after all these years. Montano’s manager James Walton said the soca star, who has been in the news recently after his suspension as an endorsee for the bmobile brand, is prepared for both the Groovy and Power Soca Monarch competitions.
How they will perform
Groovy
1. Drupatee Ramgoonai
2. Nadia Batson
3. Saucy Wow (Denise Belfon)
4. Ravi B (Ravi Bissambhar)
5. Benjai (Rodney Le Blanc)
6. Farmer Nappy (Darryl Henry)
7. Destra (Destra Garcia)
8. Patrice Roberts
9. Machel Montano
10. Iwer (Neil George)
11. Blaxx (Dexter Stewart)
1. Drupatee Ramgoonai
2. Nadia Batson
3. Saucy Wow (Denise Belfon)
4. Ravi B (Ravi Bissambhar)
5. Benjai (Rodney Le Blanc)
6. Farmer Nappy (Darryl Henry)
7. Destra (Destra Garcia)
8. Patrice Roberts
9. Machel Montano
10. Iwer (Neil George)
11. Blaxx (Dexter Stewart)
Power
1. Lil Bits (Shivonne Churche)
2. Fya Empress (Lornette Reid)
3. Tallpree (Wilt Cambridge)
4. Devon Matthews
5. Shurwayne Winchester
6. Benjai (Rodney Le Blanc)
7. Destra Garcia
8. Jason Williams and Ancil “Blaze” Isaac
9. Machel Montano
10. Swappi (Marvin Davis)
11. SuperBlue (Austin Lyons)
1. Lil Bits (Shivonne Churche)
2. Fya Empress (Lornette Reid)
3. Tallpree (Wilt Cambridge)
4. Devon Matthews
5. Shurwayne Winchester
6. Benjai (Rodney Le Blanc)
7. Destra Garcia
8. Jason Williams and Ancil “Blaze” Isaac
9. Machel Montano
10. Swappi (Marvin Davis)
11. SuperBlue (Austin Lyons)
SOURCE: Melissa Doughty
