TC Brown will be first out of the blocks in this year’s Calypso competition, after Thursday’s official dipping ceremony at the Cultural Development Foundation for Saint Lucia’s Calypso, Groovy Soca and Power Soca competitions.
The draw decided the performance order for all three categories, setting up one of the island’s most anticipated music events.
The Calypso competition lineup, in order, is: TC Brown, John Gotti, Menell, Ready, Dezral, Walleigh, Lushanne, Herb Black, Gumption and Educator.
For Groovy Soca, the performance order is: Carlton CR Roberts, Shemmy J, Deevon, Ricky T, Ezra D’FunMachine, Sly, Arthur Allain, Imran Nerdy, Kisha K and Twahizzy.
In the Power Soca segment, the performers will take the stage in the following order: Sedale, Hollywood DP and Deevon, Ezra D’FunMachine, Kisha K, Sly, Tension, Ricky T, Bronxx, Dhirv 2 Funny & Mata, Shemmy J, Dezral, and Sir Lancelot.
During the session, organisers explained their expectations for production quality, stage presentation and competition rules, ensuring artists are ready before and after their performances.
Prize amounts were also confirmed for all competitions. The winner gets $40,000, second place receives $30,000, third place gets $20,000, fourth place gets $15,000, and fifth place gets $10,000. Those who finish between sixth and tenth will each receive $5,000.
Each participant also received a $1,000 grant to help with production costs after the dipping process.
Organisers added that Groovy and Power Soca artists can swap their performance positions within 48 hours of the draw.
The competitions will be staged at the SAB, Vigie Playing Field. The Groovy and Power Soca Monarch competitions are scheduled for Friday, July 10, while the Calypso Monarch competition will take place on Saturday, July 11, from 8:00 p.m.
