Thirty-three artistes have qualified for the semi-final round of the Chutney Soca Monarch competition scheduled for January 30th.
Three-time Chutney Soca Monarch, KI Persad, will be making his return to the competition after a decade. Other semi-finalists include Lady Lava, Daddy Chinee, Mario Jitman, Russel M, Lady Gypsy, Paris Coutain, Nel and Reece, Jus Jake, and Adesh Samaroo.
One artiste will be chosen by the producers as the “wild card” which will put the total number of artistes competing at 34.
The semi-finals will be held at the Flava Village, Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain on Friday, January 30th.
The Grand Finals of the International Chutney Soca Monarch Competition will take place on Sunday, February 8th, 2026, at Skinner Park in San Fernando. Three monarchs will be crowned on the final night – the Chutney Soca Monarch, the Queen of Chutney Soca, and a traditional monarch.
The finalists will attempt to take the Chutney Soca crown from Machel Montano, who announced his intention to defend the title.