By Michael Mondezie & Photos: Ishamel Salandy
Savita Singh did not only win the Chutney Soca Monarch (CSM) title this year. She changed the shape of it.
In 31 years of the competition, no woman had ever taken the title. Last Sunday night at Skinner Park, San Fernando, that changed. Singh’s performance of “The Ring” took the title, a $400,000 first prize, and a place in the history of a genre that had never fully made room for a woman at the very top.
Singh, who flew to Auckland, New Zealand, on Friday to perform on Valentine’s Day yesterday, says the weight of that reality is still settling in.
“Any artiste in that similar position would probably tell you that until you actually hear your name called out publicly in front the audience, only then does it register legitimately and confirm,” she shared over WhatsApp. “I asked myself, ‘wait is this real, did he just announce my name?’ You really do go blank for a few seconds questioning if this is true.”
She remembers the surge of feeling as the scale of what she had achieved sank in. Her team lifting her. Her heart racing. The rush of thoughts that came all at once.
“My heart immediately started to thump quickly and my team grabbed and hoisted me into the air in celebration. I still feel so excited and nervous as I think about it now,” she continued.
“I experienced probably every possible emotion simultaneously, recalling the long nights we worked, the tireless early mornings of rehearsals, and my 30 years of hard work and musical travel tours away from my loved ones suddenly felt like it made sense.”
Her thoughts turned inward almost immediately as she considered the unconditional support of her family over the years. A seasoned performer, Singh has spent years carrying her music far beyond local stages, performing across the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, India, Dubai and as far as Fiji, steadily building a reputation as one of the genre’s most travelled voices.
“My eyes filled with tears and I thought of my family. How proud I just made them,” she said. “Then I thanked the Supreme being, closed my eyes, tears ran down my cheeks, and acknowledged what he just did for me. Honestly, it was a divine and spiritual moment for me.”
The mind behind the music
Singh is thoughtful about the kind of music she chooses to make. Even before “The Ring” was written, she knew what she wanted her chutney soca to stand for.
“I’ve always been strict about my musical deliverance relating to positive, conversational, uplifting and socially acceptable compositions,” she said—“that are enlightening, topical, and not degrading to our society”.
The idea for the song grew out of everyday life. Conversations. Relationship talk she kept hearing around her. “The Ring” tells the story of a married man leaving his wedding ring at home every time he goes out to party.
“I’m sure listeners have dealt with a similar issue,” she said with a smile. “I’m inspired daily meeting people, couples, and the occasional banter of relationship issues. I picked up that ‘The Ring’ would be a clever theme to expound on musically.”
There was also intention behind the sound. Savita wanted something that felt modern but still connected to the genre’s core.
“I believed the song contained modern musical elements of both chutney and soca present in it, and decided to use it as my choice to challenge,” she said.
Proving she belonged
As a wild card entry into the CSM, Savita was not expected to be a major threat to the crown. Being underestimated put her in a space where she felt she had to earn her place all over again.
“Wow! You won’t believe, the wild card position was nerve-wracking for me. To some degree it was a bit scary,” she admitted. “I had to prove that I belonged there amidst all my fellow contesting colleagues.”
She heard the chatter among contestants and says while she felt the pressure to rise to the occasion, her supreme confidence in her talent reassured her she could shock a few people.
“Daunting as it was, I knew my capability and what I could bring to the stage, performance-wise and vocally,” she said. “I knew I had to deliver flawlessly to make my mark. I’m a bit of a perfectionist and, hence, minutiae can sometimes create undue stress for me.”
The reaction to her victory has not been all praise. While there has been celebration, questions about her right to hold the title have emerged from some corners. Savita says she understands the nature of competition and the emotions it brings.
“I’m honestly still soaking it all in. I know everyone have their favourite performers, and that’s the beauty of music it hits everyone differently,” she reasoned. “I have so much respect for my fellow contestants and the judges’ decision. I put my heart and soul into every note I deliver, and I’m just incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share my voice.”
What matters most to her now is what the moment represents for women in chutney soca music.
“Cracking the ceiling in a male-dominated industry isn’t just a personal win; it’s a tactical shift for everyone watching,” she reiterated. “It gives me a microphone that extends far beyond the stage.”
She knows young girls were watching that stage. She knows what it means to see someone who looks like you standing where you never saw yourself before.
“My victory helps move the needle of momentum to induce change, inspire other women and young girls. It creates tangible shifts in the present and outdated ecosystem. As monarch, I consider it my responsibility to definitely attempt to build a template to encourage other young artistes and talented women to get up and continue sailing through new ocean space and win on your own terms.”
Savita Singh’s first for chutney soca is a signal. A message that the story of the genre is still being written, and that women now have a visible place in how that next chapter unfolds.
