Nirmal Gosine, better known as Massive Gosine, with his controversial song, is among the 34 semifinalists selected for 2018 NLCB Chutney Soca Monarch semifinal round on Saturday at the LIV Nightlife, Gulf View, La Romaine.
His name was announced yesterday by Southex chief executive officer George Singh, who spoke at the official launch held at the NLCB’s Box Office, Queen’s Park Oval yesterday. Gosine will perform in position number 18.
The grand final is scheduled for January 27 with a venue to be finalised within a couple of days.
Singh said the Chutney Soca Monarch has become one of the driving forces behind the music of T&T’s Carnival celebrations.
“In recent years it has become one of the most relevant events in Carnival. It has created an industry, which today affects thousands of people across the globe.
“We are no longer living in the 1970’s where there was only mas, calypso and steel band music. Today mas, calypso, steel band, soca and chutney soca make our annual Carnival festival,” Singh said.
He said the Chutney Soca Monarch competition has also created opportunities for dozens of artistes, adding that the show has spawned an industry that now extended across the globe.
“The Chutney Soca Monarch is the most important Indo-Caribbean event in the world, and remains the only event of its kind anywhere. It is unique to Trinidad & Tobago.
“It is the story of music. It is the story of our people. It is a story of how people feel, of what is happening in our society and our communities. It is our story to be told,” Singh said.
The 2018 Chutney Soca Monarch is sponsored by NLCB, 103FM, Anand Low Price Group of Companies, Firepower Fireworks, Carib Brewery Ltd, T&T Entertainment Network, the Ministry of Community Development and Southex.
Singh said approximately 100 artistes made submissions to be considered by a screening committee, and of these, 34 songs were selected and would now go on to compete at the semifinal stage.
Omardath Maharaj and Ravi B are expected to defend their title on January 27 at the grand final.
Of the 34 semifinal contestants, only eight will be selected to join the reigning champions for the grand final night.
The semifinalists are as follows:
1. KAVITA RAMKISSOON
2. DEVANAND GATTOO
3. RIZAAN ALI
4. KENNETH SUPERSAD
5. NISHA RAMSOOK
6. ROME – JEROME PRECILLA
7. SHIVA LAKHAN
8. NIRMAL SAMAROO
9. NISHARD MAYROO/NEVAL
CHATELAL
10. SHIVAN RAGOONATH/
SLAMMER CUTTER
11. WACKERMAN – KERRON
TYRON WILLIAMS
12. O’NEIL BHAJMAN
13. SURENDRA RAMOUTAR
14. VEEKASH SAHADEO/RAVI
BABOORAM
15. KENNETH SALICK
16. RICK RAMOUTAR
17. SALEEM BEHARRY
18. NiRMAL GOSEIN
19. VISHAN MOHAMMED
20. IMRAN BEHARRY
21. KAVITA MAHARAJ
22. AVINASH SOOKRAJ
23. CRAZY – EDWIN AYOUNG
24. KUMAR SIENARINE
25. JESH RAMNANAN
26. RAMNARINE PRABHOO
27. NIGEL GOBIN
28. VEE RAM – VISHNU RAMKARAN
29. ANIL ROCK
30. ALEX B
31. VEEJAI RAMKISSOON
32. MARIO JITMAN
33. MR RAVE – LOCHAN RAGOOBIR
34. RIKKI JAI