Wenall Gerald, more popularly known as Alpha, is Saint Lucia’s 2009 Groovy Soca Monarch. Alpha is the island’s only three time Soca Monarch (a title he last captured in 2006) and a former road march king.

The 2009 Groovy Soca monarch competition came off this past Saturday July 4 at the Samaans Park, where nineteen competitors were scheduled to do battle against the 2008 king, Herb Black. However, Herb Black was a no show; with reports reaching us that he was at home nursing a bad back.
The show started at least an hour late with an all star back up band that sounded good on the night. Newcomer Esteban starting the competition with a spirited and enjoyable performance of his song “Wine on Esteban.” He was followed by Lady Empress with “Are you ready” and Dean Roberts doing “Feeling in nice” but missing his cue and key, which appeared to have thrown off his entire performance.

De Ashanti, performing at number four, awoke the crowd with his very popular “Leave me alone,” whilst Zionomi gave a less than stellar performance of his hit song “Who are you.” Then there was Vickie with “Dance” and TC Brown who seem to study the criteria and always aims to score points in every area. Floopsy proved that he is committed to this art-form and showed maturity when he performed “Wave” whilst Phyness looked coy when she did “Time.” Soca Princess ended the first half of the show with “Watch me.”
Marlon proved a wonderful opener in the second half with his “J’ouvert” where he gave a commanding performance. And then there was Nintus, very entertaining, very energetic and adding a different (spiritual) flavor to the show with “Holy Hangover.”

“Just Go” was the title of Q-Pid’s song and as she was introduced the crowd went into an uproar, making it clear that she was a favourite on the night. Using the popular Che’ Capeche character Coax, as her man she was asking to go, her performance was excellent, not overdone and allowed her to use her voice and music to connect with the crowd. She came on dressed in a business suit and ended in carnival attire with her carnival posse. Marianne was up next, but the magic expected from “Genie in a bottle,” fizzled.

Lady CeCe did “I come here to wine” but she also showed that she can sing too whilst Toya was a little too timid with her song “Feel the rhythm.” King Fa Redd tried but could not connect with his “Reveler Girl.” And then there was Alpha. Doing “Cyah Wait,” the performer seemed to have learnt from his 2007 and 2008 mistakes that more, should sometimes be less. And so with less fog, pyrotechnics and confetti and more of his vocal ability, performance, presentation and stage personality, he was able to engage the crowd in his carnival excitement from start to finish.
The last competitor on the night was the 2007 Groovy Soca monarch Teddyson John doing “Whine if you whining.” Teddyson always makes for great enjoyment as he did on Saturday. But in the end, he failed to win or even make it to the top three.

The way the judges saw it TC Brown was the second runner up, which came as a surprise to some. The first runner up was a very deserving Q-pid. Alpha is the 2009 Groovy Monarch and received his trophy and prize from Kerselle JnCharles of Digicel. The Groovy King is now EC$8,000 richer.