Saint Lucia Carnival produced a weekend of memorable performances and historic achievements as new champions were crowned in the Intercommercial House Calypso, Calypso Monarch, Power Soca Monarch and Groovy Soca Monarch competitions.
The celebrations began on the night of July 9th, at the Cultural Centre in Castries, where Shaqelle “Kaiso Cop” Charlery emerged victorious in the Intercommercial House Calypso Competition. Representing the Bordelais Correctional Facility, Charlery claimed the title ahead of Erny Johnny, performing as “Erny J” for the Saint Lucia Workers Credit Union, who finished second. Eka Fergus, performing as “Eka” for the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund, secured third place.
Attention then shifted to the Saab in Vigie, Castries, on Friday, July 10, where the island’s leading Soca and calypso artistes competed for national honors.
Ready captured her first Calypso Monarch title after earning 768.5 points. Gumtion placed second with 740.5 points, followed by TC Brown on 733 points and Dezral in fourth with 732 points.
The Power Soca Monarch competition proved to be one of the closest contests of the evening. Ezra D Fun Machine claimed the crown with 384 points, edging Shemmy J by a single point. Shemmy J finished second with 383 points, while Tension placed third on 361.5 points. Sedale, Hollywood HP and Deevon rounded out the top four with 344 points.
Ezra D Fun Machine also received the competition’s top cash prize of $40,000.
The Groovy Soca Monarch competition was equally competitive, with Kisha Kay making history by becoming the first woman to win the Groovy Soca Monarch title. She secured 388 points, just one point ahead of Deevon, whose debut appearance in the competition earned him second place with 387 points.
Imran Nerdy finished third with 385 points, while Arthur Allain placed fourth on 368 points.
Kisha Kay’s victory also earned her the competition’s $40,000 first prize and added another historic chapter to this year’s Carnival celebrations. Her success followed the unprecedented outcome of the 2026 National Carnival Queen Pageant, which saw two contestants share the national title for the first time.
With several titles decided by the narrowest of margins and a number of first-time champions emerging, this year’s Carnival competitions delivered one of the most competitive and memorable seasons in recent years.