International Soca Monarch - History

History

The first soca artist to win the Soca Monarch title is Superblue. He went on to win the competition a record of seven times. This record is as yet unbeaten, although several artists are closing in on that number.
Since the competition has been split into two back-to-back contests, there have been only three performers to simultaneously capture both titles: Shurwayne Winchester was the first in 2006, Fay-Ann Lyons the second in 2009, and Machel Montano in 2012 and 2013. Fay-Ann is also the first female winner of the International Soca Monarch in the Power category and therefore the first female to win both titles simultaneously. Having also won the People's Choice award on that night, she is the first artist to make a clean sweep of all the prizes at the International Soca Monarch.

When the local competition first became an international event, all contestants were required to pass the preliminary stages to qualify for the finals. In 2009, this was changed with winners from other countries' soca monarch competitions being automatically "seeded" into the final round.
Prize money for the International Soca Monarch has grown over the years and was announced as being $1 million TT dollars for the 2009 winner when the competition was launched in 2008. Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez, the 2009 winner reportedly received her prize money (subject to a small deduction) at the prize-giving ceremony in March, 2009. T&T Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs have reportedly suggested future prize money be reduced to $750, 000 due to the downturn in the global economy. In 2004, the winner received $150,000, which was an increase from the previous year. In 2006, $500,000 and a car constituted the winnings for double-winner Shurwayne Winchester. In 2008, the first prize was also $500, 000. Since 2003, all finalists have been guaranteed a cash award for their appearance. Past title sponsors of the event such as TSTT, bmobile and the NLCB have in the past contributed to the cash awards for winners.
In 2011, the prize for the 2011 winner of the International Power Soca Monarch was increased to $2 million TT Dollars, sponsored by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. This was announced by TT Prime Minister Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, and in her honor, Mr. Munro dedicated the 2011 finals to Mrs. Persad-Bissesar. The prize for the International Groovy Soca Monarch is now $500,000 TT Dollars. Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar also promised in 2011 that future prizes would be maintained at the current figure of $2 million Trinidad and Tobago dollars.