“Pick up something, anything!” and “Doi doi” were the top phrases of the night.
Power
Grenadian soca star
It is the second time a non-Trinbagonian has won a Soca Monarch title, the first being in 2007 when Biggie Irie, a Bajan, won the Groovy category with ‘Nah Going Home’. However, it is the first time one has won the Power category, so he has made history.
The winning song is dominating T&T’s airwaves. With the famous line, “Pick up something, anything,” locals have been lifting chairs, tents, people, even pots of soup (yes, really), and running with it as the song instructs. The reaction and reception seen during his performance was nothing short of the effect the song has been creating throughout the Carnival season.
When asked what the win meant for his home island, Grenada, he replied,
“Everything, this win for Grenada is everything. This is everything. This feels like Independence, Emancipation, everybody’s birthday – it’s a holiday in Grenada now!”
T&T soca veteran Iwer George placed second in the Power category with his song ‘Water Blessings’, and fellow Grenadian Mr. Legz placed third with ‘
Groovy
Swappi won this crown with his song ‘Party Start’. His energetic performance included a tribute to the late calypso legend Winston Bailey, aka The Mighty Shadow, and was well received by the audience. He jokingly admitted he considered it a good thing that many other competitors called him out during their performances.
Placing second and third in the Groovy category were two other non-nationals, Teddyson John who hails from St. Lucia with his song ‘Vent’, and Grenadian, V’ghn with his song ‘Trouble In the Morning’, respectively.
The winnings are as follows:
1st place, Power category – $1M TTD
1st place, Groovy category – $500,000 TTD
