Three decades of cultural fusion & evolution
By Michael Mondezie
It’s hard to believe three decades have passed since the first staging of the Chutney Soca Monarch (CSM) competition.
Southex CEO George Singh’s bold move to bring the most popular acts of an embryonic hybrid genre on one competitive stage has since grown into one of the most anticipated events on the Carnival calendar.
Singh sat virtually with the Kitcharee on Friday morning to share insights into the competition’s origins, its impact on the chutney soca genre, and his vision for its future.
The beginning of a movement
Singh recalls his first encounter with chutney soca in 1995 as a pivotal moment. It was this spark that ignited the idea of creating a platform to elevate chutney soca music, a genre that was already gaining traction but had yet to cement itself within mainstream Carnival celebrations.
“I was invited to a chutney event at the Samar Entertainment Centre, Penal. The energy coming out of the event was electric. I had never experienced anything like this before,” Singh reflected.
At the time, Sonny Mann’s “Lotay La” was dominating the airwaves, even being used on election platforms.
“Soca Monarch was already happening for a few years, and I felt that there was a definite place for this music in Carnival,” Singh continued. “For every ‘no’ that I got, I heard 100 yeses in my head. I just had a feeling that this would be successful.”
Singh’s idea wasn’t just about integrating chutney soca into Carnival but also bridging cultural divides. He recognised that the competition could provide a space for Indo-Caribbean artistes to shine in a way they hadn’t before.
“It was a true Trinidad mix of music—a fusion of Indo and Afro elements,” he said.
Elevating a genre
Singh believes the competition has helped elevate chutney soca as a genre, both in T&T and throughout the wider Caribbean diaspora. The competition fostered what has now become known as the “Chutney Soca Season” and its significance has only grown.
“The rise of CSM created opportunities for artistes,” he said. “Today it has become one of the biggest competitions in T&T Carnival as well as the most important Indo-Caribbean event in the world.”
In truth, the competition’s ripple effect extends far beyond the event itself, contributing to the development of an industry encompassing musicians, dancers, recording studios and music producers.
“The rise of chutney soca music across the diaspora has been phenomenal,” Singh remarked. “It’s rapid growth is one of the most significant success stories of Caribbean music.”
One of the key factors in the competition’s success is the substantial prize money, which Singh notes has launched the careers of some of the genre’s biggest names. More than TT$100 million has been invested directly into the industry, Singh reveals.
While this may not seem like much in a trillion-dollar global music industry, the impact on individual artistes here in T&T has been profound. Beyond the financial support, the competition provides a platform for artistes to showcase their talent to a global audience.
“It has changed the lives of many of the artistes, opening doors for them in business, also contributing to them building their homes and their families,” he revealed. “Add to that the fact that international promoters come to CSM to see who the top artistes are so that they can book them for shows across the globe over the next 12-month period.”
Surviving the pandemic
Like many cultural events, CSM faced significant challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic. Prize money was reduced, and productions were scaled down, yet Singh believes this period strengthened the community.
“The coming together of all the artistes, bands, producers, etc., was amazing. Covid actually made our industry stronger and bonded us together,” he recalled—despite the hurdles, CSM continued, with artistes accepting smaller payments to ensure the competition’s survival.
“One of the most important things that we instilled into artistes and the industry in general was hope,” Singh said. “It was this resilience that allowed CSM to continue to thrive.”
Building on a star-studded legacy
Throughout its 30-year history, CSM has produced a remarkable roster of winners who have gone on to represent chutney soca on international stages. Notable winners like Rikki Jai (Samraj Jaimungal), Ravi B (Ravi Bissambhar), KI (Kris Persad) and Raymond Ramnarine have had massive careers.
Singh also emphasises the importance of nurturing new talent, noting that 2024 winner Rick Ramoutar got his start in Chutney Star, a competition for up-and-coming artistes.
As CSM celebrates its 30th anniversary, Singh is looking forward to what the next three decades will bring.
“We have had to design shows for baby boomers, Generation X, millennials, and Gen Z,” he explains. “Fusion music is now one of the biggest trends in international music, and I strongly believe that this is where our opportunity lies.”
Singh envisions chutney soca evolving alongside other global music trends, especially as younger artistes bring their influences into the genre. As for next year’s 30th anniversary celebrations, he promises “something spectacular”, but is keeping details under wraps.
“We will continue to guide this evolution and development. We do not censor the music and will never. This music will continue to drift more and more towards mainstream—it is unstoppable,” he said.
At its core, CSM is about more than just a music competition—it’s about bringing people together, Singh reiterates. As the competition moves into its fourth decade, its legacy as a cultural unifier and a platform for talent appears destined to continue.
“The Chutney Soca Monarch is the only competition in Carnival that caters to both the Indo and Afro rhythms,” he said. “It is fusion music! It is the coming together of our people through music!
“The challenges that we face only strengthen my resolve to make sure that this music reaches the pinnacle that I know is only one song away from breaking that glass ceiling,” Singh concluded.
CHUTNEY SOCA MONARCH WINNERS
1996: Sonny Mann—“Lotay La” & “Roll Bhowjie”
1997: Heeralal Rampartap—“Basmatie” & “Nacho Ray”
1998: Rikki Jai—“Dulahin & “Jara Lage La”
1999: Rikki Jai—“Rosie Balena” & “Galeekay Morah Godinaa”
2000: Rooplal Girdharie—“Goriya Ray” & “Sweet Dulahin”
2001: Rikki Jai—“Kanhija” & “Ah Goh Show You”
2002: Rikki Jai—“She Leave Meh and Gone Away” & “Rock-a-by Baby”
2003: (Tie) Rikki Jai—“River Lime & “I’m a Trini” and Heeralal Rampartap—“Mai Pyar Ho Gaya” & “Raat aur Din Mey Tarsat Rahelay”
2004: Rooplal Girdharie—“Dulhanya” & “Nobody eh going Home”
2005: Heeralal Rampartap—“Kay-Paharie” & “Run For Meh Life”
2006: Rooplal Girdharie—“Dholak Bhajayai” & “The Last Jump Up”
2007: Rooplal Girdharie—“Oh Mere Piya” & “Here Now”
2008: Rooplal Girdharie—“Aaye Sajanee Peeya Moray” & “Crazy For You”
2009: Kenneth Salick—“Radica”
2010: Ravi B—“Ah Drinka”2011: Rikki Jai—“White Oak and Water”
2012: Kris “KI” Persad—“Single Forever”
2013: Raymond Ramnarine—“I Ain’t Marridin’ No More”
2014: Kris “KI” Persad—“Runaway”
2015: Ravi B & Rikki Jai—“CSM 20”
2016: Kris “KI” Persad—“Same Gyal Twice”
2017: (Tie) Ravi B—“Budget” and Omardath Maraj—“Ramsingh”
2018: Nishard Mayrhoo and Neval Chatelal—“Masala”
2019: Nishard Mayrhoo and Neval Chatelal—“Fyah”
2020: Imran “GI” Beharry—“Anna”
2021: Covid-19 – No competition
2022: Imran “GI” Beharry—“Wa We Go Do”
2023: Daddy Chinee—“We Are One”
2024: Rick Ram—“Luuuzzaarr”
