~ Mighty Dow wins Groovy, King Vers captures Power category ~
PHILIPSBURG–Soca lovers flocked to Carnival Village on Friday evening for the first concert of the Carnival season, Soca Rumble 2016.
Each category, Power and Groovy, had 10 finalists, 11 counting the reigning monarch in the Power category.
Mighty Dow showed the crowd why they call him the Rumba King, as he gave an unforgettable stage performance with the song “She doing it,” which had several “thick” ladies gracing the stage and dancing with the singer.
Magic was the first runner-up pick for the judges in the Groovy section. King Timo did not perform for unknown reasons. The finalists in the Groovy Soca category were Lady Baker, Kenyo, Shakiya, Roxxy, Ric Da Fox, King James, Magic, King Vers, Fish da Mega Boss and winner Mighty Dow.
In the Power category, from the onset King Vers and last’s year winner Ricky da Fox called each other names in their songs and had a bit of fun “trash talking” each other. King Vers’ performance of “Pressure” ended as the top performed song of the evening, giving him his first crown. The finalists for the Power Soca category were Big George, Urmain, King James, Baker Jr., Rey, Empress Ebony, Kenyo, King Vers, Mighty Dow and Magic.
Crowd participation played a major role and audience members cheered for their favourite singers during the five-hour show.
Soca Rumble also had a Soca DJ Face-Off Competition. DJ Kilo was the judges’ pick as he went against DJ Joker. DJ Kilo won a 15-inch MacBook Pro and a Pioneer SZ controller.
The Daily Herald spoke to Power category winner King Vers after he was announced as the winner of the competition.
“Soca Rumble was massive. All competitors came out swinging and delivered. There was a zip line, trampoline, crane and even a horse. Personally, all I had behind me was an incredible team, family and St. Maarten. My performance for ‘Pressure’ was electrifying because of the people’s response to the song. It was a very humbling experience to see the massive crowd singing every word of my song and tearing up the place,” said the ecstatic Soca Rumble King.
“They got powdered and wet, and jammed as if it was J’Ouvert. The hard work and dedication paid off in the end and to me this crown belongs to the people. I spent months in the gym training, practiced every night and envisioned how the night would be, but still I was in awe of the crowd response.
“The love and support out here is surreal and I appreciate it beyond words. Now we have to switch gears and push even harder simply because it doesn’t get easier as you rise. Big up to Sharry, Skelet, Melisa, Kalisha and fellow dancers, Dizzell Bueno, Cardo, Lunatik, Mitch and The Sign Triple Nine crew for their hard work and dedication.”
Source: Daily Herald Soca Rumble kicks off Carnival events
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