Machel takes Soca Monarch crown

(Trinidad Guardian) After delivering what many fans consider to be his best performance of the season Machel Montano claimed the two million dollar grand prize in the Power Soca category at the 2011 International Soca Monarch Competition at the Hasley Crawford Stadium on Friday night.

A capacity crowd turned out to see the crème de la crème of soca artistes perform but in the end, Montano’s popular song ‘Advantage,’ was chosen by the judges and the crowd for the Power Soca title.

Montano’s performance was his first at the competition in 16 years. His nearest rival Neil Iwer George placed second to receive $600,000. Third place went to Bunji Garlin. He will receive $300,000. His wife and past Monarch winner, Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez placed fourth in the competition and will take home $200,000.

In the other competition, the 2011 Play Whe Groovy Soca Monarch is now Kes Dieffenthaler. He performed the popular ‘Wotless’ to secure the first prize of half a million dollars. The second place went to Benjai for ‘Trini.’

He takes home $225,000. Third place went to Destra for ‘Cool it down.’ She is now $125,000 richer. Dexter ‘Blaxx’ Stewart rounded up the 4th spot with ‘Tantie Woi’ and will receive $115,000.