ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Antigua’s Carnival came to a belated close on Saturday night with Road March champion and Jumpy Soca Monarch Joel “Hard Knaxs” Lewis emerging among the biggest winners from the extended festival.
Twenty-four-year-old Lewis emerged Road March winner after his song Kentucky was played 47 times ahead of the 36 plays for Red Hot’s Hypnotic and the third place Happy Grass from Burning Flames (Lord Satalyte), which was played 32 times.
Lewis is delighted with his success and is setting his sights on entering the international scene with a bang by copping the 2012 International Soca Monarch competition in Trinidad and Tobago next year.
“I feel great; I feel excellent. I feel confident that I know I am going to win …” Lewis said.
“I am going into Trinidad to do big damage, really big, because in Trinidad I heard they have a lot of KFCs and I also heard that they like KFC down there.”
Many local artistes have had trouble breaking into the regional market despite local success, but Lewis believes the humour in his song will allow for an easier crossover and give it a more regional and international appeal.
“I think this song going to Trinidad would win. The reason why I say that is because everybody can relate to KFC. KFC is an international brand; it’s not just local in Antigua and this song going to Trinidad has a big, big chance to win in Trinidad,” Lewis said.
The Juggle Fu Life member said in the meantime he has had calls coming in from St Kitts & Nevis, Toronto, Miami and New York, among other places to perform at their festival.
Meantime Revellers Mas’ Troupe continued its run of success by copping its 11th straight Large Band of the Year title with its display of “Festivals.”
Taking second place was Dynamics, with “Jungle Fever,” followed by first-timer on the road Beautiful People which landed in third place with its presentation of “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”
Other Band of the Year winners were; Ali & Associates with “Rhythms of Flames” in the Medium Band category, Dominica Cultural Express with “De Sensi” in the small band class and “Just Friends” Mas’ Troupe in the Mini Band group.
Princess winner was Acreena Stowe of the Vitus Stilt Walkers presenting the Fantasy Pea Hen. The Prince winner was Yohan Thomas also from Vitus Stilt Walkers presenting the Peacock Prince.
Ladies of Style Majorettes copped the marching band category while the junior carnival schools’ competition was won by Sunnyside Tutorial. First place in the junior carnival private bands went to Revellers Mas’ Club Juniors, which also captured first in the spirit of junior carnival competition.
Results for J’Ouvert were Antz J’Ouvert Troupe taking first troupe on the road; Wadadli Brewmasters for Best J’Ouvert Troupe; Tonik band was first jam band on the road; Gemonites – first steel band on the road; Revo Band – Sweetest jam band and Halcyon – sweetest steel band.
(More in today’s Daily OBSERVER)
