Klymate gunning for Nevis Soca Monarch crown

Vincentian Soca artiste, James ‘Klymate’ Ashton has landed a top spot in the finals of the Nevis Soca Monarch competition and he has set his mind on being the first Vincentian to claim the crown.

Klymate secured a spot in the finals after performing in the semi’s on July 20. The judges awarded him 275 points for his performance of ‘Do This’ which put him in third position behind Ras Browne & Rocco Dan’s 278 points, and Big Six’s 292 points.

His hope is to dethrone reigning monarch, Daddy Tusty and write his name into the Nevis Culturama history books at the August 1, 2024 finals as the festival celebrates its fiftieth year in existence.

“Being from a Vincentian background we have such a strong Soca culture and to see it transitioning over into smaller islands…makes the possibility of winning the crown next Thursday exciting for everybody. Not just me, but there are also a lot of Vincentians over here.”

Klymate will be performing ‘Do This’ in the finals. He penned this number which was produced by Vincentian producer Boss Raw Records.

“The writing was done with the intention of competition, as each year I participate in both Soca Monarch in St Kitts and also Nevis.”

Klymate told SEARCHLIGHT his move to St Kitts and Nevis in 2018 was to pursue new work opportunities, but he could not forsake his love for Soca music which blossomed following his first release for Vincymas back in 2016. He said during the first year of his move, he connected with a music producer who was able to offer him mentorship.

He was keen on performing in the Soca Monarch competition but, as a non-national, found it was a lot more difficult than anticipated.

“The trouble for me was that not being from here, I was actually blocked three times. So every time I tried…they wouldn’t allow me in the Soca Monarch competition. I had to start fighting and clawing my way through by doing research, and finding out what are the rules and the regulations when it comes to the OECS and these competitions.”

He said it took roughly two years to “break through the red tape” and he eventually discovered that he had already met the criteria to participate in the competition. Klymate said he continued to hone his craft by working alongside more seasoned artistes, and made his first appearance in the competition in 2022. He did not place, and came back in 2023 with renewed focus but tragedy struck the Dorsetshire Hill family when his 26 year old sister, Sherol Knights, was killed in her home.

He withdrew from the competition and said this year’s participation is motivated by his sister’s memory.

“She is one of the reasons I am going so hard now. She is the one, from the beginning, who has been recording me and posting up my videos. If she knew that I was close to winning the crown right now, she would say ‘you just have to push a little harder’.”

Klymate believes the cards have lined up on this third occasion and he said after reviewing his semi-final performance his focus is giving the judges and patrons the ‘Vincy feeling’.

“After witnessing the semi-finals, the only thing I need to focus on now is giving them something they have never seen before. I am definitely going to be bringing something sinister, and something different.”

Klymate said he has recognized how hard it is for young, upcoming artistes to get a breakthrough in the industry and he sees a potential win in this competition as a way to change the status quo.