Shontae, Sakarah dominate Junior Monarch competition

Shontae Tae Alleyne-Clarke sang her way straight into the history books on Saturday becoming the first triple monarch for the National Cultural Foundation’s Scotiabank Junior Monarch Competition.

Joining her in the winner’s circle was Sakarah Thomas who won in the calypso category with Alexa, a fitting piece for these technological times.

Alleyne-Clarke took home the top prize of $2 000 and the winning trophy in the soca category. She won for the first time in the category last year with Party Nice Again and in the 2019 Junior Calypso Monarch title in the 11 to 14 age group with Stop De Violence.

Speaking to Barbados TODAY after the results were announced Alleyne-Clarke said: “I am really happy. I am ecstatic- I don’t have many words to describe it, it just feels so surreal. I am happy,” she said surrounded by jubilant fans and family.

Tae took the competition by storm and had a packed Wildey Gymnasium in an uproar with her spellbinding performance of Bajan Ting taking command of the stage and earning herself 116 points. Trailing her was Trinity Clarke with the mesmerizing I Love Soca and Zarie B with his rendition, Get Active, tied for second place with 104 points.

Mr Showman showed up and represented himself well earning fourth spot with We Doan Care. He was awarded 80 points for his performance and while his vocals are always top-notch, the song choice was not the strongest.

In both categories the 5th to 8th places were announced in alphabetical order.

Josh Ox had the crowd wrapped up in his performance but was at times off his pitch and key in Push De Truck. 

Drummer and performer Joshua B did okay with Dis is Sweet Festival.

There were whispers in the audience of the amazing performance by Lil Stathis with his hit Fold in Half which had the crowd in full rapture. Some predicted that he would be part of the future of bashment soca. Meanwhile, Ranesha gave her best with her soca piece Good Vibes.

In the calypso category, Sakarah, who also took home $2 000 cash and the winning trophy admitted that even though she prepared well for the competition, she surprised herself.

“I can’t say I expected it, I just told myself I will do my best, and whatever the outcome is I will still be proud of myself,” she said.

Sakarah said prior to competition she worked two or more days weekly rehearsing for her set. She spoke highly of her reggae artiste dad Black Ah Fire and her mentor Chrystal Cummins Beckles.

Bit-Bit who was third runner-up last year, placed second this year in the calypso category amassing 99 points. His rendition of Drugs and Disobedience sent a strong message to Barbadians about the deleterious effects of substance abuse on the lives of youth.

Potent was very strong on the night and had great crowd engagement sending the audience wild with his antics as he delivered his Can’t Lash We which was written by his father, Billboard Murrell. His solid performance earned him third place with 93 points. Daneika placed fourth with Dear John – a song about the societal repercussions of gun violence.

The other contestants in the calypso category were King K with Dear God; Mhizz Khibaba with Unity Strength; Lil Stathis with Your Creation and Slay with Just Like These Women. 

(MR)

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