Grenada’s iconic annual Spicemas festival delivered a historic night of celebration during Bacchanal Friday 2026, as two first-time monarchs claimed top honors in the island’s prestigious Soca Monarch competition — breaking long-standing barriers and delivering unforgettable performances for thousands of attendees.
In the Groovy Soca category, Sabrina Francis made history as the first woman ever to win the Groovy Soca Monarch title, ousting the defending champion Mr Gold’n in a tight and hotly contested race. The performer, daughter of veteran Grenadian calypsonian Lady Empress, already boasts an established international career in Afro-Caribbean pop, with credits ranging from opening for Nigerian star Asa at London’s legendary Royal Albert Hall to sharing stages with Grammy-winning vocal ensemble Pentatonix. She has also headlined acclaimed regional creative projects including *Wide Open* and *Meet Me at the Mango Tree*. Her award-winning track “Honour You” was crafted by production team Stemz Productions, with mixing and mastering completed by Johann “Madman” Seaton.
The final results for the 2026 Groovy Soca Monarch competition saw Boyzie secure second place, alongside a special award for Best Groovy Intro Video, while Muddy took third. Riggy Atmosphere placed fourth, with outgoing champion Mr Gold’n slipping to fifth place, followed by Jeverson in sixth, Blaka Dan in seventh, a tie for eighth between Terra D Governor and Luni Spark and Electrify, Sakinah in tenth, Shortpree in eleventh, and Lazer HD in twelfth.
Reflecting on her groundbreaking debut competition run, Francis noted that performing on the Soca Monarch stage, which hosted a crowd of 10,000, had already reshaped her approach to her craft. “Performing on a big monarch stage is very, very different. There’s a different way you have to speak, a different way you have to carry yourself, command 10,000 people,” she shared. “I will take a lot from this experience going forward.”
In the high-energy Power Soca division, first-time finalist Rio “Snakey” St Paul pulled off a stunning Cinderella run to claim the 2026 Power Soca Monarch crown with his dynamic entry “Raging Seas”. Produced by Alix “XILA” Aird (also known as Sandman) and mastered by Rezonance, the track secured St Paul a decisive first-place finish after years of grinding to reach the top of the competition. St Paul, an active police constable (badge number 309) representing St John, previously competed in the 2024 Power Soca Monarch contest, where he advanced to the semifinal round but narrowly missed qualifying for the final stage. Two years later, he returned sharper and more determined, walking away with the top prize on his first final appearance.
Ahead of his winning performance, St Paul opened up about the mindset that carried him to victory, emphasizing the power of self-confidence. “Just think positive and shoot and go because the success starts from you,” he said. “If you don’t believe in yourself, people won’t believe in you. Believe in yourself, and people will believe in you.”
Defending Power Soca champion Muddy finished as runner-up and took home the award for Best Power Soca Intro Video, while Lil Kerry claimed third place. Rounding out the top 12 were Bubbah 473 in fourth, Terra D Governor in fifth, Mansly in sixth, Lil Jelo in seventh, Luni Spark and Electrify in eighth, Happy Boy in ninth, Shequan in tenth, Mello in eleventh, and General PP in twelfth.
Friday’s coronation closes out a milestone chapter for Grenada’s Spicemas festival, marking the first time a woman has won the Groovy Soca Monarch title, and seeing two rising soca talents claim the sport’s most prestigious crowns in the same year.