CP

A little woman with a big voice and the daring to go along with it, Claudette CP Peters has a lock on the title Antigua’s Soca Queen. She also has multiple Jumpy and Groovy Party Monarch crowns to justify her claim to fame. A former Miss Teen Splash, this soca diva has made her mark with the Anglican Youth Choir and then as a lead singer with outfits like the Dread and the Baldhead and Da Bhann. She now resides with Taxik.

Blade

If this were strictly a singing competition, then few artistes could match Lincoln Stanislaus Jr. A one-time lead vocalist with El A Kru, Blade is a respected artiste on the local entertainment circuit. A natural crooner, he had displayed mastery, particularly in the Groovy contest. Blade has also spread his wings into the calypso arena, making runner-up waves on his debut a few years ago.

De Lyricks Man

He came of age with the legendary St. Joseph Academy Glee Club and would go on to be crowned Junior Calypso Monarch. He made the crossover to the big stage and has been a worthy contender with the veterans. Not to be limited to one genre, this keyboardist with the distinctive wailing voice has also been a Party Monarch contender for several seasons, offering up noteworthy songs.

Janine

Janine Jarvis grew up in a musical family with a father who was the Carnival Coordinator for many years.  It is therefore not surprising that Janine, an avid singer for the past 10 years has hopes of establishing herself as a soca artiste.  This is Janine’s second year in the Party Monarch Competition and she promises that we will be hearing much more from her in the future.

Jashan

At home in several genres of music, the talented Jashan Hughes has been courting Party Monarch title honours for several seasons. The Chezekake Factory lead vocalist knows what it’s like to reach the Party Monarch winner’s circle, having had runner-up success.

Kenne Blessin

This transplanted Jamaican is at home on reggae tracks as he is on R&B and soca. He’s been attached to Da Bhann, Taxik and Itchy Feet. His smooth-as-velvet voice has pumped out crowd favourites like My Love and Hearts.

King Danskie

King of the “hee” and the “haw” as lyrical staples, Danskie’s name is preceded by king because he once lifted the Party Monarch crown, though back then he was known as Wanski. This artiste is proud of the fact he’s toured internationally, with a reggae outfit, and that he’s straddled the calypso and soca divide, annually, as a crowd favourite.

King Sonic

King Sonic has a passion for music that he indulges by writing, singing and playing music.  Although he no longer resides in Antigua he enjoys the opportunity to showcase his talent through the Party Monarch Competition.  King Sonic hopes the  creative, energetic and fun vibes he brings to the Party Monarch stage will encourage other young Antiguans and Barbudans with musical talent to nurture those skills.

Laurena Davis

Laurena’s growth and development in her few short years in the soca arena have been evident. Coming from her breakout year when, by sound, she was regularly mistaken for the top female soca artiste, the Tonic Band lead vocalist has carved out her own niche. There’s no confusion now; her powerful vocals are matched by her confidence when she straddles the stage.

Natural Rampler

By any other name, he’s a crowd pleasing, hit-maker just the same. Whether you’re calling him David Edwards, Krokus, or Lord Satalyte, one can understand the logics in the moniker Natural Rampler. He’s never gotten the judges’ nod, but he is, obviously, the people’s choice, “rampling” up the place and getting the most crowd response year after year.

Ricardo Drue

Maybe it’s the Trinidadian-Antiguan blend. Maybe it’s in the genes, passed on to him from his regional radio personality mom. Whatever it is, Ricardo Drue has soca prowess. From one year to the next, this polished artiste has raised his game, bringing it hard to the winners and making a case for being included among the cream of the crop.

Shani

Shani has sung with bands such as High Intensity and Tonik before launching a solo career.  Shani thinks it takes a special personality to sing soca and she thinks she has just that and more.  She entered the Party Monarch Competition with the advent of the groovy segment in 2007 and made it to the finals with the song Can’t Get Enough.

Supa Mario

This artiste proves that you can take the man out of Antigua but you can’t take Antigua out of the man and that culture, like blood, flows through his veins. A resident of USVI, Super Mario makes his way home annually, to contribute to the body of music and to get into the fray. A member of Taxik in recent times, he brings good vibes to the season and the Party Monarch stage.

Tian

A voice like liquid velvet, a sweet and equally unarming disposition and a 1,000 megawatt smile are some of the ways to describe this soca royalty. Tian Winter came of age in the Party Monarch arena with songs for the ladies and lyrical tips for men to raise their game. In short order, he would rise to the top, as the Jumpy and Groovy Monarch, and solidify his place as one of Antigua’s preeminent entertainers.

Young Destroyer

He’s a one-time Junior Calypso Monarch, King of the Calypso World and Calypso King. A perennial finalist on the calypso stage, Young Destroyer finds a way to let his life and the lessons he’s learned influence his art. While calypso – where social and political commentary hold sway – shows his serious side, Leston Jacobs displays his lighter side as a Party Monarch hopeful.