St. John’s Antigua- It’s not the usual suspects on the International Soca Awards nominations list, at least not where Antigua & Barbuda is concerned. On the heels of a series of breakthrough seasons, the leading contender from home is Tian Winter with Crash, while newcomer Hard Knaxx earns himself a nod as well for a total of three chances for Wadadli to win.
Past winners and perennial nominees from Antigua & Barbuda – Claudette Peters, Tizzy, and Red Hott – did not make the cut this time around as the ISA prepares to mark its 10th anniversary with a red carpet event at the Hilton in Los Angeles on Friday, June 29.
Winter and his hit song Crash were nominated in the Best Groove Soca – Male category but will have to overcome some serious heavy weights to claim the prize. These include a triple threat from Trinidad: Machel Montano with Mr Fete, Benai with The People’s Champion, and Kerwin Du Bois with Bacchanalist; and the one two punch that is Rupee with I am Bajan and Hyper Sounds with Roll Yuh Bumper from Barbados. Meanwhile, the song’s video, directed and edited by thevisualecho.com will have to prove its popularity in a crowded category alongside vids from Edwin Yearwood & Krosfyah (Good Time), Skhi (Can’t Stay Away), Kes the Band (Stress Away), Machel Montano (Vibes Cyah Done), Farmer Nappy (You Make Me), the iZ featuring Machel Montano (Whine), Kimba Sorzano (Over You), Roxanne ‘Roxxy’ Webster (Delete), and Erphaan Alves (In your Eyes).
National jumpy monarch Hard Knaxx may have been a controversial win but his tune proved catchy enough to crack the Best Up Tempo Soca – Male category. He and his KFC song will have to prove their mettle alongside Trinidadians Machel Montano and Iwer George with their songs Pump Yah Flag and No Pain, respectively; St Lucia’s Ricky T with Mad Ting, Barbados’ Edwin Yearwood with Cova De Road, and St. Vincent’s Fireman Hooper with Animal.
How do you rate their chances? Well the good thing about the ISA is that you can influence the outcome by voting for your favourites; it’s all about buzz. Voting starts May 6 at www.socaawards.com and it may take a minute as there are 29 categories and lots of artistes angling for their moment in the spotlight.
