Soca superstar Machel Montano scored a double when he took the International Power Soca Monarch and the Groovy Soca Monarch titles on Fantastic Friday night at the Hasley Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain.
He sealed the victory in the Power Soca Monarch with his road march contender “Pump Yuh Flag” to take TT$2 million, the most lucrative prize this year’s Carnival.
He will cash in TT$500,000 for winning the Groovy category with is performance of “Mr Fete.”
Dressed in gold, Montano appeared on stage pulled in a chariot accompanied by comedienne Rachael Price who he said was his Mrs. Fete.
Also taking the stage during his presentation was mas man Peter Minshall’s “Tan Tan” and “Sagaboy” who Montano referred to as Mr and Mrs Fete.
Iwer George for the second year running had to settle for second place in the Power category. Destra Garcia placed third. Kees Dieffenthaller, who won the Groovy category last year placed fifth with his rendition “Stress Away.”
And on Carnival Saturday night Neal & Massy All Stars retained its National Panorama title at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain with its rendition of Leon “Smooth” Edwards arrangement of “Play Your Self.”
Playing in sixth position the defending champions were confident they would retain their title.
This was the seventh Panorama title the band has won over the past decade.
In second place was, Petrotrin Phase 11 Pan Groove and third PSC Silver Stars in the large conventional bands category.
Duane O’Connor dethroned Karen Asche to take the Calypso Monarch title at the Dimanche Gras show on Sunday night at the Queen’s Park Savannah.
O’Connor, who a week before had won the Young Kings title beat 11 other contestants to take the TT$1 million first prize.
