PRESS RELEASE TO ALL MEDIA HOUSES January 12, 12 RE – 42 SEMI FINALISTS FOR CHUTNEY SOCA MONARCH 2012 More than 140 artistes submitted songs for consideration by a special judging panel for the 2012 Chutney Soca Monarch. This was the largest number of entries ever in the history of the 16-year competition. The screening of songs was done at the Southex offices on Tuesday 10th January. The following are the names of the artistes that will perform at the Semi Final round of the 2012 Chutney Soca Monarch scheduled for 21st January at the Rienzi Complex, Couva. All artistes will be required to sing ‘live’ with the back up band – Melobugz led by Rishi Mahatoo. The show will feature many surprise guest performances and will pave the way for 15 artistes to compete at the Grand Final on 11th February at the Queens Park Oval in Port of Spain. The names of the top 42 are in alphabetical order - Adesh Samaroo Artie Butkoon Asha Kamachee Chris Garcia Drupatee Ramgoonai Edward Ramdass Gregory Ayeun Heeralal Rampartap K.I. Persad Kenneth Salick Kenneth Supersad Lal Bharat Lalchan Babwah – Hunter Leon Coldero Melanie Alicia Bartoo Michael Salloum – Soca Elvis Mohip Poonwassie Moses Charles Nathaniel Jude Nathaniel Ramoutar Neeshan Hitman Prabhoo Neval Bissambhar Nigel Salickram Nisha Baksh-Lutchmedial Nishard Mayhroo O’Neil Bhajman Omadath Maraj Oscar B Rachel Ramkissoon – Summer D Raj Singh Rajin Dhanraj Ravi Babooram Reshma Maharaj Reshma Ramlal Rick Ramoutar Rishi Ramkissoon Roopal Girdharie Sally Sagram Sassy Ramoutar Suresh Maraj SW Storm Veekash Sahadeo
^ i'm thinking o'neil bhajman and sw storm have a good chance, since the two of them have made some decent songs lately