Fireman Hooper regains Soca Monarch crown

The park was muddy, the rain fell without mercy, and the competition was fierce. But Delroy ‘Fireman’ Hooper showed that this was not enough to keep him from blazing to recapture the Soca Monarch 2011 title, after being denied it for three years.{{more}}

On Saturday, July 2, the Victoria Park was ram-packed with patrons who came out to support their favourite Soca Monarch hopefuls; but it was clear that Hooper was the crowd favourite.

Singing his winning tune ‘Animal’, Hooper’s energetic performance left the masses in a trance that had them “root[ing] like ah hog” in the mud.

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT, Hooper said that he was extremely proud of his achievement, and thanked the fans for their support over the years.

He added that his victory came as no surprise to him.

“It was always in me. I made Soca Monarch the biggest show, and I’m always a winner!”

Although he did not stick around to be crowned on the night of the competition, Hooper was anxious to let the public know that it was not a sign of disrespect for the competition.

In a press release dated July 3, 2011, he stated: “During the day of competition, I was not well due to problems with my throat and general fatigue… At the end of my performance… I felt sick and wanted to rest.

Although his participation in the finals of the International Soca Monarch competition (scheduled for Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2012) is yet to be confirmed by the promoters, Hooper said that he would be thrilled to represent St. Vincent and the Grenadines there for the first time in his career.

“It’s something I would have to work harder at because it’s not going to be like in St. Vincent,” he said.

He acknowledged that there are critics who believe that ‘Animal’ will not be able to stand up against the competition at the TnT-based event.

“They don’t understand music,” he said. “I am doing Vincy music for Vincy people, for Vincy Carnival. Trinidad doesn’t do music for St Vincent.”

Hooper also pointed out that ‘Animal’ was produced by Trinidadian Neil Bernard, who has worked with regional artistes such as Shurwayne Winchester and Fayanne Lyons.

With his recent win, Fireman Hooper will by no means be taking a break. He is scheduled to go on tour, performing at various regional and international carnivals, and at Vincentian independence celebrations in the UK and, hopefully, with the Soca Dans in Germany.

He also was keen to let fans know that the rivalry between himself and three-time Soca Monarch winner Gamal ‘Skinny Fabulous’ Doyle does not go beyond the stage.

“Skinny and I are good friends. This is just competition. Why should we be fighting each other for just winning a little crown?”

Since the competition began in 1996, Fireman Hooper won the title six times previously in 2007, 2006, 2005, 2001, 2000 and 1999.

He thanked LIME, his fans, Avenue Dancers, stage manager Nicola Craigg, the Soca Dans, Ricky Grant (owner of Birds Disco, South Rivers), Jean Johnny-Findlay, the Carnival Development Corporation and everyone else who made his win possible. (JV)