The results are in. There's a new Barbados party monarch champion. And this time, it's a woman. Natahlee Burke in her patriotic stance, dethroned last year's champion Edwin Yearwood.
Natahlee was a crowd favourite and was gladly welcomed by the small crowd with her song 'Colours (Blue Yellow Blue)'. In her song she declares that she's proud to be a Bajan. This year Edwin was forced to settle with 2nd with his song 'Yardie Graduate'.Here are the top 3 results:
1. Natahlee Burke - Colours
2. Edwin Yearwood - Yardie Graduate
3. Mr. Dale - One Hand
This year's party monarch competition was a little different than past years. And hence the turn out by patrons was signifactly less - roughly a quarter less than normal. This year, the police reported estimates of 6,000 patrons vs previous years of 30,000.
Here's what happened...
Lil Rick and Timmy Miss The Deadline
First, was the announcement that crowd favourites Lil Rick and Timmy missed the deadline for the Party Monarch competition and wouldn't be able to compete. The event organizer, NCF explained there would be no exceptions. This ruffled some feathers but was understandable by most.
Well now, on Sunday just passed, the Party Monarch competition went off. But before that...when the finalists were announced, is when the masses turned their heads. Many of the popular songs and popular artists did not reach the finals of the competition.
Crowd Favourites Amazingly Didn't Make The Finals
They simply were not successful in getting pass the preliminary round. Those who didn't make it were:
- Peter Ram
- Keann (from Square Roots)
- Blood (from Square Roots)
- Khiomal (from Krosfyah)
- Contone
- Captain Sawyer
- Popsicle
- Omar McQuilkin (from Electrik)
- O'Shaka (from Square Roots)
Some people made further noise because 3 oldsters (up to age 66) made the cut before all of the young popular artists.
Opportunity Turned Sour Sour
So seemingly in spite, Radikal Kadooment Band quickly attempted to capitalize with a Vex Fete featuring all the "rejects". The fete was scheduled to directly compete with the Party Monarch competition on the same day and at the same time. However, it had to be shut down early by the police because of the crowd was acting violently and dangerously.
In all, 2005 has seen one of the poorest attended and followed Party Monarch finals in recent years. Despite that, a new well received monarch has been crowned, and may have a good chance at Crop Over Tune of de Crop (road march) title this coming Monday, August 1.
It may also interest you that...
Ronnie McIntosh from Trinidad formed - what he calls - a CSME band named 'Caribbean Effect' specially for Crop Over. On an interview on CBC Festival Stage he discussed that he believes it's time soca artists support and participate in more Inter-Regional festivals, carnivals and events -- instead of being so quick to work at North American and European events and carnivals. Caribbean Effect guest performed at the Barbados Party Monarch competition.
