FOUR PARTY MONARCHS are among the nine finalists announced for the big showdown of the soca titans at Bushy Park, St Philip next Sunday.Edwin, who is the undisputed king in this competition with five titles, is back with a bang after a three-year break and is preparing to “Chrissen” Bushy Park.Li’l Rick the Hypa Dawg, is barking at his tent mate’s heels with four trophies, while Khiomal and Blood have one each.Newcomer to the soca arena Queen T wiggled her way in the chosen nine to challenge defending monarch TC. Queen T, Li’l Rick, Edwin and Khiomal all hail from the Celebration Time tent. Headliners landed three with Blood, Mikey and Soca Kartel while Popsicle and Ras Iley are from House Of Soca and De Digicel Big Show respectively. The reserve is Serenader of De Digicel Big Show.The winner of the Party Monarch will face off with the winner of the Sweet Soca Monarch in what is being billed as a battle royal. The winner vie for a car. The Party Monarch and Sweet Soca competitions are being jointly billed as Soca Royale this year.Following is the list of Party Monarch finalists: Ras Iley (We Need A Song), Edwin (Chrissening), Li’l Rick (Carry On), Khiomal (Don’t Ask Me Nothing), Queen T (Wiggle And Dip), Blood (Foot On Fire), Soca Kartel (Whole Place Mash Up), Mikey (Party Anthem) and Popsicle (Eric Jerome Dickey). (YB)
