Organisers have announced that submissions are open for this year’s national Groovy and Power Soca competitions.
Artistes must complete an electronic form, upload a photo, and submit their competition song and backup track in WAV or MP3 format via the Competitions page on www.carnivalsaintlucia.com.
Groovy Soca submissions should not exceed 130 beats per minute (BPM), while Power Soca entries must be above 130 BPM. The deadline for submissions is midnight on Friday, May 23.
Claude Paul, head of the Carnival Planning & Management Committee (CPMC), expressed enthusiasm about the early release of several songs for the carnival season, which is fuelled by the pulsating rhythms of soca.
“This speaks to the excitement generated from last year and coming into this year,” he said. “We have seen the growth of the music and even the artistes themselves and therefore we are looking forward to another fantastic year for carnival music. The expectation is also that we will receive a high volume of entries for the competitions.”
Several soca tracks have already been released, aiming to secure airplay and build momentum ahead of the competitions and carnival festivities. According to the CPMC, which is collaborating with the Carnival Music Management Committee, the early releases are generating buzz across radio and online platforms, showcasing the energy, creativity and lyrical prowess of Saint Lucian talent.
After the May 23 deadline, a judging panel will review and score submissions in a closed listening session. Qualifiers will then advance to the quarterfinal rounds, set for June 7–8, followed by the semifinals on June 27 and the grand finals at the Sab in Vigie on July 11.
Last year, Sly claimed the Groovy Soca Monarch title, while Ricky T reigns as the current Power Soca Monarch.
