Grenada’s 2026 Spicemas Groovy Soca competition has made history, as first-time competitor Sabrina Francis has become the first woman in 11 years to claim the coveted Groovy Soca Monarch title, breaking a long-running streak of male dominance in the major carnival event. What began as a casual joke from her guitarist Alesia Aird – who encouraged Francis to throw her hat into the ring – has transformed into a career-defining milestone for the contemporary artist. Though no stranger to large stage performances, Francis stepped far outside her creative comfort zone to compete in one of the Caribbean’s most competitive soca showcases this year.
Going into the competition, Francis deliberately crafted a bold, sharp-edged performance to hold her ground against a field of top male contenders, including fan-favorite Boyzie, who ultimately finished as first runner-up. In a post-competition Instagram post, Francis explained her strategic approach: after testing her act in smaller preview shows, she recognized she needed to bring extra intensity to compete alongside seasoned male soca artists. She noted that she has long admired Boyzie and his work, and entered the final with a clear, comprehensive game plan to match whatever energy her rival brought to the stage.
Francis’ winning entry, *Honour You*, was produced by local production outfit Stemz Productions. The track has emerged as an unexpected anthem for gender solidarity, offering a refreshing counter-narrative to a growing trend in female-led soca that sometimes leans into gender division. Instead, *Honour You* celebrates women who lift up and support their male partners, strengthening rather than fracturing family and romantic bonds. This thematic core carried through to Francis’ full stage performance: joined by choreographers from Grenada’s One Unit dance company, her set used intentional imagery to frame men as loving leaders, fathers and providers, while highlighting women’s role as nurturing partners who create safe spaces for their partners after long days of work.
From her opening intro video to an impromptu freestyle that playfully called out her male competitors, Francis exuded unshakable confidence throughout the final round. Performing fourth, immediately after Boyzie’s high-energy set, she ad-libbed a playful twist on her chorus: swapping the original line “and I will honour you tonight” for the bold declaration “Ah beating allyuh tonight.” She took the stage in a striking red custom ensemble designed by local Grenadian designer Cindy “Rockin RoxCin” Philip, whom she publicly thanked following her win. Francis also gave a special shout-out to fellow artist Vaughn, who she dubbed her “Mr Groovy” for his constant advice and support throughout the competition process.
Francis entered the competition on a whim, telling reporters after the results that she never expected to advance past the semi-final round, let alone take the crown. She faced last-minute chaos ahead of her performance, with multiple planned production elements – including a full prop car that was supposed to accompany her entrance – falling through at the eleventh hour. Rather than derailing her performance, the last-minute setbacks and her resulting frustration actually fueled the intense energy she brought to the stage. For her final moment, she invited one of her male dancers to place the crown on her head, cementing her historic win as Spicemas’ new Groovy Queen.
Beyond taking the title, the competition marked a major shift for Francis’ career. As a contemporary artist who has long worked on the margins of Grenada’s mainstream soca scene, she said one of her 2026 goals was to grow her local community and connect with new audiences – and the warm welcome she received has permanently changed the trajectory of her approach to music. Going forward, Francis plans to build on the lessons she learned performing for a crowd of 10,000, noting that commanding a large Groovy Soca stage requires a unique presence and physicality that she is eager to continue developing.
The full official results of the 2026 Groovy Soca Monarch competition confirm Francis’ win, with Boyzie taking second place and the award for Best Groovy Intro Video, Muddy earning third place, Riggy Atmosphere finishing fourth, and 2025 defending champion Mr Gold’N placing fifth.