Power Soca: Can Skinny do it again?

It's that time of the year and on Saturday 5th July , all eyes will be on Victoria Park for the 2014 edition of SVG's  Soca Monarch. In the Power Soca category, Gamal 'Skinny Fabulous ' Doyle will seek to defend his crown against 14 artistes as he seeks to make it 4 in a row. Can Skinny do it again? Take a listen to the competition and hear our predictions.

1. Hance - Wild and Crazy

We love the songs that Hance bring but this song has not garnered the type of popularity to make it to the crown. We however expect nothing but a great performance.

2. Shaunelle - Soca Goddess

With a catchy beat and a good voice, Shaunelle brings her divinity to the stage with the Soca Goddess but will it be enough for the crown. We predict a top 5 place but not the crown this year!

3. Tamisha - Doh Mash It Up

Tamisha has made another great effort for 2014 and with the response from H20 Soca this year, we know she is gonna bring a great performance to the stage. This song we predict will be in the top 5 this year!

4. Fya Empress - Slap Way

Fya Empress will try again this year for the Power Soca crown which has eluded her. While the song is catchy and appeals to the 'Rum Posse' we need an extraordinary performance and half of the park drunk to see this song taking the crown. Our prediction is that this will be a top three hit but not the crown!

5.  Fireman - Unruly

This year Fireman has come out with a vengeance to win the crown. We see flashes of the past Fireman who won the Power Soca crowns in past competitions and we know that the whole of North Leeward will be in Victoria Park. The question is , will he bring such stiff competition that he can give Skinny a run for the crown?

6. Problem Child - No Discipline

A crowd favourite every year, Problem Child always brings great songs to the Soca scene but his performance  always kills the songs. We have seen flickers of change this year with his performance at Black Rave so we expect him to being one of hs best performances in recent memory to the stage in Victoria Park.

7. Syxx Krazii - It's Carnival

The winner of the 2014 New Song contest, Syxx brings a new vibe to the usual jump and wave. This is a great song with appeal but with it's popularity lacking, we don't know if it has enough power to make it into the top 5.

8. Jamesy P - Bang Dem

Another contender for the 2014 crown is veteran Jamesy P. While he is known for hits such as 'Nookie' and 2014 hit 'Wet", we don't see this track having the power to break into the top five. Let's hope it's an entertaining performance.

9. Keith Currency - Trouble

Another one of the popular tracks for 2014, Keith Currency is sure to have a great run in the Power Soca category with this hit. If he can pull off a crowd moving performance we see this song making a top five place and maybe even making the top three!

10. Fresh Kydd - Ride It

A great tune by a young up and coming artiste, we like the beat and the use of brass. We look forward to a good performance but don't see the crown going to this 'kydd'.

11. Shaney Hypez - You feel you bad

This song's popularity would be due to this artiste being a disc jockey on SVG's most popular radio station. With a catch tune and simple lyrics, we see this a crowd moving hit but not in line for the crown. (However we see this one giving Skinny a run for Road March.)

12. Royal - Youngest & Baddest

Another young artiste, this song has been popular at rural carnivals. We however don't see the power behind it to take the crown.

13. Madskull - Family

Another young artiste, this song has been making the rounds on the airwaves. With a catchy rhythm and simple lyrics, we see the crowd moving to this song. We however do not expect an electrifying performance and don't see this one in the top three but maybe a top five place.

14. Maddzart - Hole in the Road

Another veteran in the Soca business, Maddzart bring another 'road' tune but we don't really feel the power behind this one so we don't think the park will either.

Reigning Monarch - Skinny Fabulous
Following on the success of Behaving the Worst, his writing for artistes such as Machel Montano and collaborations with international artistes such as Major Lazer, Skinny is poised to have another fantastic run in the Power Soca Category. We predict a 65% chance of winning the crown with his stiffest competition coming from his bitter rival.

While it is said he will perform 'Red Button'  (which is actually called Made for This), a few persons have been calling for the other big Power Soca hit 'Mental Home'. While we await Skinny's choice, we anticipate Victoria Park will go crazy over this performance.

My predictions for Power Soca Monarch 2014
The top five in no particular order: Skinny Fbulous, Fireman, Keith Currency, Problem Child and Shaunelle.
(We'll see if I can do good predictions.)

Victoria Park is the place to be on Saturday 5th July for the biggest show for Vincy Mas 2014. Can Skinny do it again? We'll just have to see!