Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural landscape is set for a vibrant transformation as the Chutney Soca Monarch (CSM) competition announces groundbreaking changes for its 31st edition. Reigning champion Machel Montano has confirmed he will defend his title at the February 8 finals in Skinner Park, San Fernando, following his 2025 victory with the collaborative hit “Pepper Vine” featuring Lady Lava and chutney legend Drupatee Ramgoonai.
The official launch event at GML Labs on January 7 marked a significant evolution for the long-running Carnival tradition. CEO George Singh unveiled substantial format innovations, including relocating the semi-finals to Port of Spain’s Queen’s Park Savannah Carnival Village—a historic shift from the competition’s traditional southern base. Artist selection will now feature a live screening process reminiscent of ‘America’s Got Talent,’ with semi-finalists announced thereafter.
A landmark media partnership between promoters Southex and Guardian Media Limited officially brings the competition home to Sangeet 106.1 FM. Brand manager Shareeza Ali emphasized the collaboration extends beyond media support to create meaningful spaces for artistic and cultural expression.
The 2026 edition introduces a third competitive category: the Traditional Chutney Monarch title joins the existing Chutney Soca Monarch and Queen of Chutney Soca crowns. Singh described this addition as crucial for honoring the genre’s foundational elements while celebrating its evolving identity.
Scheduling changes see the grand finals moving to Sunday with adjusted hours (4 PM to midnight), replacing the traditional Saturday night event that typically extended into early morning. Singh reaffirmed the event will remain free to the public for the eleventh consecutive year.
Looking beyond Carnival, Singh announced developmental workshops for the 2026-2027 season focusing on artist development, social media strategy, stage performance, and media engagement. The competition continues to gain international traction, with significant followings in Guyana, Suriname, and diaspora communities across North America, while recent expansions into Holland and South Africa demonstrate the genre’s growing global influence.