{"id":242853,"date":"2025-07-10T10:55:49","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T14:55:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=242853"},"modified":"2025-07-10T10:55:49","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T14:55:49","slug":"run-off-round-added-to-soca-monarch-competition-after-quarterfinal-controversy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/run-off-round-added-to-soca-monarch-competition-after-quarterfinal-controversy\/","title":{"rendered":"Run-Off Round Added to Soca Monarch Competition After Quarterfinal Controversy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A special quarterfinal run-off for the INET Party Monarch competition will take place tonight at 7pm on Redcliffe Street, just ahead of the Jam Session.<\/p>

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Twelve artistes\u2014six in each category\u2014will compete for two remaining spots in the semifinals. The Groovy line-up includes Young Vice, Zamoni, Vicious, Sazzy Sazelle, Sammie C, and Natural Rampler. In the Jumpy category: Johnny Come Lately, Blade, Kid Fresh, Ebony T, Buttaz, and Naycha Kid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The run-off follows public outcry over two artistes being fast-tracked to the semifinals despite missing the official quarterfinals earlier this month at Jack Idle due to overseas commitments. Their advancement sparked concern among fellow competitors and fans.<\/p>

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In response, the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission (ABFC) met with the National Soca Fraternity on 4 July. The Fraternity proposed a resolution: the two controversial qualifiers and the next five highest-ranking artistes from each category (places 16\u201320) would compete again in a judged live performance round.<\/p>

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The compromise was accepted by the Minister of Festivals, Daryll Matthew, and the ABFC, with support from all parties involved.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A special quarterfinal run-off for the INET Party Monarch competition will take place tonight at 7pm on Redcliffe Street, just ahead of the Jam Session. Twelve artistes\u2014six in each category\u2014will compete for two remaining spots in the semifinals. The Groovy line-up includes Young Vice, Zamoni, Vicious, Sazzy Sazelle, Sammie C, and Natural Rampler. In the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":242259,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-242853","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nRun-Off Round Added to Soca Monarch Competition After Quarterfinal Controversy - Antigua News Room<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/run-off-round-added-to-soca-monarch-competition-after-quarterfinal-controversy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Run-Off Round Added to Soca Monarch Competition After Quarterfinal Controversy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A special quarterfinal run-off for the INET Party Monarch competition will take place tonight at 7pm on Redcliffe Street, just ahead of the Jam Session. Twelve artistes\u2014six in each category\u2014will compete for two remaining spots in the semifinals. The Groovy line-up includes Young Vice, Zamoni, Vicious, Sazzy Sazelle, Sammie C, and Natural Rampler. 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