Who will be crowned the Yello International Bashment Soca Monarch on Saturday 6 July at Pirates Cove?

This will be the second year for the international component of the show and artistes taking part are from Guyana, St Vincent, St Lucia and Barbados.

Reigning monarch Lil Rick will face challenges for his crown from Guyana’s Blaze Anthonio, Sita the Lyrical Diva from St. Vincent, and Subance & Mighty from St. Lucia.

He will also have his son UndaDawg as a contender in the battle. The other Barbadian competitors are Jagwa The Champ, King Bubba FM, Mara Rose, Marz Ville, Mole, SK, SugahRhe, and Walkes.

In 2018, there were two regional artistes in the competition and this year that increased to four.

Entries were encouraged from across the Caribbean, and came from as far as the United States and Belize, with 25 semi-finalists selected primarily on the quality of the song.

The public voting totalled approximately 98,000 over a five-day period. One vote per day was allowed. The finalists were chosen based on public votes accompanied by the judge’s final selection.

The majority of this year’s finalists are new to the bashment soca stage. Mara Rose and Walkes are singing a Crop Over tune for the first time.

The Yello International Bashment Soca Monarch will receive $60,000 (BBD) in cash. The second placed finalist will receive $15,000 and third place will receive $5,000 along with other prizes. The remaining nine finalists will receive an appearance fee.

Rudy Maloney, director of 4D Entertainment Inc., said the judges continue to be impressed with the improvements in the art form.

“This year, we saw some improvements in the songs and saw some stories being told, and with the introduction of the fusion, it has improved the quality of some of the songs.”

Maloney also confirmed that the development of the artistes continues to be of importance. The finalists and their producers will participate in a writers’ workshop to assist them in improving their craft to impact the growing cultural and musical landscape.

Tickets for the final show cost $50 (BBD) and can be bought online at ticketpalcaribbean.com and at these official box offices:

• C.S Pharmacy
• Rubis Wildey
• Sol Redman Village
• Nulook Boutique
• Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre
• Eddies Speightsown
• His & Her Beauty Bar
• Mpowered Sky Mall
• Origin Boutique Limegrove
• Lucky Horseshoe Warrens
• Ticket Centre Warrens
• Flawless Home Décor Bridgetown
• A & B Music Supply Sheraton
• Carlton & A1 Supermarket Black Rock
• Emerald City Six Roads

Visit the official website for more information – http://www.internationalbashmentsoca.com/