“And they were nine.” Nine Artistes representing six OECS Member States took on very stiff competition from Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago during the first Caribbean Soca Monarch contest, the biggest crowed puller of St. Lucia’s Carnival on July 16th 2006 at the Mindow Phillip Park.

With the first OECS Flag symbolizing the presence of the OECS Member States before a packed venue, the contenders from the 9 member grouping represented well but missed out on the big one to the originators and masters of the evolving Soca Music Art form.

At the end of it all Mista Vybe of Trinidad and Tobago topped the list with 394 points. St. Lucia’s Ninja Dan led among the OECS contenders, placing
second overall with 378 points, followed by Platinum George and local Soca Monarch Alpha of St. Lucia tied on 366 points.

Nadia Baston, the other contender from Trinidad and Tobago finished fifth on 363 points, ahead of St. Lucia’s Kakal on 347.5 points. Boogie B of Grenada followed 7th  with 320 points. Fireman of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who literally set half himself ablaze, as he entered the stage, was a close 8th on 319 points.

Montserrat’s Scrappy was not too far behind on 312 points, just ahead of Mr. DJ of Barbados who tallied 308.5 points. Hunter of Dominica was 11th with 300 points while Konris Maynard of St. Kitts and Nevis totaled 298 points in position number 12. All artistes finished at an appreciable average out of a total of 400 points.