One of the most anticipated cultural highlights on Saint Lucia’s annual events calendar, the National Groovy and Power Soca Monarch competition, has reached a key milestone, with 80 original tracks securing spots in the upcoming quarterfinal round for 2026’s Lucian Carnival.
The competition opened its submission window to aspiring and established soca artists across the island on May 11, giving creators a six-week window to submit their work in pursuit of a coveted spot to perform on the competition’s iconic main stage. Artists across Saint Lucia jumped at the opportunity, submitting a diverse range of entries across the competition’s two signature categories: the laid-back, rhythm-focused Groovy Soca division and the high-energy, uptempo Power Soca division. The submission period officially closed on May 28, bringing the first phase of the 2026 competition to a close.
Over the weekend of May 30 and 31, 2026, a panel of experienced industry judges gathered to evaluate every submitted entry, assessing tracks on originality, lyrical content, rhythmic innovation, and overall fit for the carnival atmosphere. After two full days of rigorous review, the judges selected 40 standout tracks from each category to advance to the quarterfinal (live audition) round, bringing the total number of advancing competitors to 80.
The full roster of advancing Groovy Soca artists and their tracks includes: Alpha with *Everyday Carnival*, Arthur Allain with *Work on Pause*, Budzilla with *Mr Right Guy*, Carlton Roberts with *Hostage*, Crown with *Vibes King*, Da Great with *Alcoholic*, Danielle DuBois with *Dancing in the Rain*, Deevon with *Momentum*, Esteblazin with *Ice Cold*, Ezra D’ Funmachine with *Mr Complimentary*, Frano with *Party Junkie*, J’urgen with *The Other Man*, Kardo with *Finger*, KB Official with *Hurricane Melissa*, Kelly B with *Home*, Keytinna with *Let Me Go*, Kisha K with *Done*, Lolani with *Life Sweet*, Mac 11 with *Under de Bus*, Mantius with *Subscribed*, Menell with *Goose Bumps*, Mica with *Step Out*, Micah with *My Life, My Choice*, Mighty Taker with *Where We Chipping*, MNR with *Party Count*, Mysterio with *No Horn*, Nai with *Gros Pwel*, Nireti with *Third Party*, Orion with *Show Love*, Q Pid with *Back Up Plan*, Ricky T with *Not Kissing’s*, Sedale with *Insane*, Shayne King with *Gone Clear*, Shemmy J with *Everything*, Siah with *Cho*, Sly with *Captain*, Theodan with *Loosen Up*, Twahzzy with *Stop It, Stacy*, Vic Nation with *Home*, and Wade with *Get Out*.
In the Power Soca category, the 40 advancing tracks are: 10 Pong with *Side Man*, Ally Kyat with *Doctor Paul*, Bronx, Dhirv 2 Funny & Matta with *Mad People*, Budzilla with *Bwelay*, Carlton Roberts with *Xman*, Da Great with *House Party*, Elmo Norville & Zido with *Hesaloka*, Ezra D’funmahine with *Salute*, Gabby Gabby with *Free My Mind*, Hyper with *Cyah Stop Mi*, Ilah Man with *Soca Robbery*, Imran Nerdy with *Today I Off*, J Mouse with *Hammer*, Jiggy with *Vaval Hero*, Joseph Darcherville with *Masquerading*, J’urgen & Lolani with *Can’t Let You Go*, KB Official & Esteblazin with *Grimy*, Kisha K with *Hot Already*, Mantius with *Fully Charged*, Mica with *Loud*, Mighty Sizzler & Weebo with *Who Says?*, MNR with *Last Time*, Mysterio with *Show Off*, Nacheal with *Mechanic Gyal*, Orion with *Not Going Home*, Q Pid with *De Fete Mad*, Redda Vibes with *Wristband*, Ricky T with *True Colours*, Sedale & Hollywood HP with *Bring Your Cooler*, Shayne King with *We Home*, Shemmy J with *Even If She Cryin’*, Siah with *No Brain*, Sir Lancealot with *Jusso*, Sly with *Rage (Dwange)*, Statik with *Upside Down*, Subance & Hitty Lance with *Sugar*, Tension with *Actimo*, TK Da Boss with *Soca Monarch*, Umpa with *Painkilla*, and Vic Nation with *Carnival Queen*.
Up next, the 80 advancing artists will take the stage for the quarterfinal live auditions, where they will compete for a spot in the final showdown of the Soca Monarch competition, a centerpiece event of Lucian Carnival that draws thousands of attendees and soca fans from across the Caribbean and beyond each year.