Four years after his fellow St. Vincent born Godfrey Dublin took the first OECS Soca Monarch title, Onarde Bomani Charles snatched the prestigious top prize amidst stiff competition on Sunday July 17 at the Mindow Phillip Park in St. Lucia. 

Bomani remarks that he is fortunate to have written a song and have that song appreciated by such a diverse regional audience. He says taking the title back to St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a plus.

“ Soca Music is universal and the purpose of it is to bring people together.”

Bomani, rendering his self acclamation “I am soca”, delivered a strong performance. 

Decked in glowing orange attire and using creative commands, Bomani gradually attracted tremendous suppor tfrom a huge partisan crowd under soggy conditions at the Mindow Phillip Park in Castries.

“ I’ve been involved in music for about seven years….writing first of all and then I decided about four years ago to step out front and actually do some singing and performing. It’s been great. I’ve been getting a lot of positive responses from people in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and throughout the region. I guess this is one of the highest points you can get to as far as performing and entertaining goes.”

Amassing 400 points, Bomani outwitted home favourites in Mantius Cazaubon who won the two previous titles (he had 390 points), Nichole David the lone female contender with 387 points, and recently crowned party monarch of St. Lucia Alpha who got 379 points. 

Bomani states that music from his homeland is being heard and respected in Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda and St. Lucia. 

He is a member of the band H S Factor which also features a nine times junior calypso monarch and Madzart a former contender in the OECS Soca Monarch competition. His band will be touring the USA later this year.

While Barbados did not take part , the 2005 OECS Soca Monarch competition featured a new component with a representative of Guyana. 

Besides St.Vincent and the Grenadines and hosts St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat and Dominica were the other OECS participants in the 2005 Soca Monarch Competition. 

This year featured 9 contenders.

The OECS Soca Monarch competition is the biggest event during St. Lucia’s Carinval festivities. 

Along with Bomani, Godfrey Dublin and Mantius Cazaubon the other winner is David “ Pung Wa” Patrick of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Photos Compliments Photobias