Defending Soca Monarch Delroy “Fireman” Hooper is still uncertain about his participation in this year’s competition.{{more}}

Despite media reports that Fireman’s manager had confirmed that Fireman will not participate in this year’s competition, Fireman told SEARCHLIGHT on Wedneday that he still has not made up his mind.

“I said nothing to anyone with regard to my participation. Up to now I have said noting! Fireman said.

“I still hold my stance with what I told you the other day, that myself and other soca artistes have some issues with the hosting of the show and that is where I stand to this point,” Fireman said.

He reiterated that one of the issues he has with the highly anticipated event is the payment of prize monies.

“I am not saying I am not or I am participating. All I am saying is that there are some issues that need to be addressed,” he added.

Meanwhile, the response from the public in relation to the protest by the soca artistes has been mixed.

One patron, who has been attending the event since its inception, says “the absence of Fireman will not make Soca Monarch the same as it is.”

Another person told SEARCHLIGHT that the absence of the more popular artistes will give other artistes the opportunity to be in the spotlight.

Fireman, however, said he is not in the show only for the “money”, but to entertain his “dedicated fans”. However, if certain discrepancies are not met, then he would continue to rally for himself and the other soca artistes who compete in the event.

“It is not me alone who have certain issues with the show, but as soon as I open my mouth about the concerns, my name seems to be the most meshed name around Kingstown.

“I am not the only one, but the other artistes too, but they don’t want to say anything to be in the soup, but I will stay in the soup for my rights,” Fireman further stated.

The seventeen soca artistes competing in this year’s Soca Monarch competition are: Lornette ‘Fya Empress’ Nedd – Rum Please; Shaunelle Mc Kenzie – Carry On; Gamal ‘Skinny Fabulous’ Doyle – Monster; Aurella ‘Queen B’ Beache – Love it Bad; Antonius ‘Baddy’ Simmons – Road Calling; Raeon ‘Madzart’ Primus – Haunted; Zoelah Boyde – Cyah Move Meh; Glenroy ‘Homey’ Delpesche – Stampize; Justin Arrindel – Rag invasion; Bernard ‘Mentalis’ John – Bend down and wuk up; Godwin ‘Gao’ Billy – Soca teacher; Eddison ‘Lively’ Mc Dowall – Mother Country; Hance John – Mash up fete (steel cut steel); Cornelius ‘Poorsah’ Williams – Wrong Hole; Tamisha Nichols – Break Away; Roland ‘Pressure’ Peters – Clear de Road and Travis ‘Wiz Kidd’ Lynch singing Hard Wuk.

The Soca Monarch show is scheduled for July 7, at Carnival City, Victoria Park.