It’s going to an interesting monarch this year because the crowd will surely be going for Iwer since Bunji and Fayann are not competing. Weird to say but it seems Machel is going as the underdog. It’s going to be CRAZY!! How will he handle the situation? He might just get booed.

RS

Three-time Soca Monarch Neil “Iwer” George is looking forward to some intense competition in the upcoming rounds of the contest — from everyone but the Reigning Monarch Machel Montano.

Speaking to the Express after performing at Tribe’s One Fete, at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, on Sunday evening, George said he doesn’t believe the contest is only between Montano and himself.

He said: “It is unfair for anyone to say that the race is between Machel and myself because everyone knows I’m going to beat him very bad. There are several good songs out there, so I don’t think he’s my only competition at all, cause he has already lost.”

Referring sarcastically to his controversial defeat last year as “a new high for entertainment”, George said the price for that decision had already been paid by those responsible for it.

“Nowhere else in the world can an entertainer who is booed in a contest go on to win just so,” he said. “If an artiste performs at The Apollo and is booed, his or her career usually doesn’t go much further after that, but somehow we managed to set a new standard for entertainment in our forum. We cannot ignore the Gospel, which clearly states that the voice of the people is the voice of God. So they did their thing last year and end up paying a very high price, so I know that can’t happen again this year.”

George made a guest appearance during the annual event, which was held at the Oval car park and featured Machel Montano HD and Kes The Band, along with guest acts George, Michelle X, SuperjiggaTC and Shal Marshall, among others.

From the time he was announced, thousands of hands raised in the air in support of George’s latest release, “Jab (No Pain)”, and during his 12-minute stint, he kept the crowd bouncing and waving appreciatively.

Michelle X and Kees Dieffenhaller also performed their Power Soca contender, “Head Bad/On D Road”, and got the masses involved in the swaying dance which accompanies the catchy song.

Taking the stage around 11 p.m., Machel Montano worked his Power Soca selection, “Pump Yuh Flag”, and delivered his usual HD-embellished routine – in spite of a few light drizzles of rain and much to the audience’s delight.

The event was well attended and featured a host of premium dishes and beverages, which kept the masses contented all evening long. It ended around midnight.

Trinidad Express