This country’s 2009 Soca Monarch, Gamal “Skinny Fabulous” Doyle, has received official notification of his participation in the International Soca Monarch competition to take place in Trinidad and Tobago next year.{{more}}

Doyle received his letter from William Munro, chairman of the Caribbean Prestige Foundation and the creator of the International Soca Monarch competition Monday October 19.

According to the Soca artist, the competition, to be held on February 12, 2010, will be used as a catalyst to propel him to success.

“It is not an unfair, but a challenging battle field,” Doyle said.

Doyle, who is enjoying back-to-back Soca Monarch titles as well as an appearance in this year’s International Soca Monarch competition in Trinidad, said that he is ready for next year’s performance and will be putting on one that surpasses his local presentation.

Munro said that he was continually being impressed with the level of competition and the quality of performers that this country has been putting out within recent times.

He noted that St Vincent was an example of the quality of music that had been emerging regionally.

“I visited other islands: Grenada, Barbados, Dominica and they are all on par with that of Trinidad and Tobago,” Munro said.

He encouraged the region’s leaders to invest more in the art form noting that Soca music was “infectious.”

Munro coined the term “Soca tourism” noting that he has intentions of taking the show throughout the region as it has the potential to generate revenue for the individual territory in which the event is staged.

“We wait ‘til we hear it from outside, but we know the value of our artistes,” René Baptiste, Minister of Culture, who was present at the handing over, said.

She commented on the success of Vincentian Artistes, adding that this success was unimaginable up to a few years ago. She also commended the idea of forming a Soca alliance. (DD)