Leader of the band Dil-e-Nadan, Raymond Ramnarine took the 2013 Chutney Soca Monarch title last Saturday night before a packed crowd at Skinner’s Park, San Fernando.
He won TT$1 million (US$160,000) with a performance that was hailed as spectacular in one of the first competitions for the carnival season.
Ramnarine, who returned to the competition after 13 years, dethroned Kris “KI” Persad, who had to settle for third place.
His composition, “I ain’t marriding no more,” was a runaway hit. Ramnarine was accompanied by masman Peter Minshall’s creations Tan Tan and Saga Boy, Trinidad and Tobago’s most popular couple.
Rikki Jai, six-time Chutney Soca Monarch, placed second with his song “Ent you know”.
The competition was judged both manually and by text messaging.
At the end, Ramnarine tallied an overall total of 43.7 points, while Jai accumulated 42.6 points.
The runner-up, who received TT$300,000 (US$50,000), was accompanied by tassa drums and pan during his presentation.
KI, who descended on the stage on a zip line to perform the “Friends for the night” received 33.7 points and TT$200,000.
