I did my homework – JJ wins Soca clash again

By Davion Smith, BVI News Online Journalist

Jevaughn Parsons, who goes by the stage name JJ, has defended his Soca Monarch title, thus giving the British Virgin Islands (BVI) bragging rights in the regional competition for yet another year.

Dressed in his signature jacket adorned with national flags from multiple Caribbean countries, Parsons defeated 10 other competitors from countries including St Vincent, St Kitts, Grenada, US Virgin Islands (USVI), Antigua, BVI, St Eustatius, and St Maarten.

He said winning the crown two years in a row was not an easy accomplishment, especially when competing against a strong line-up of artistes.

This year’s competitors included second place finisher Face from St Eustatius, as well as third place finisher Drastic from the BVI and Antigua.

Other competitors were: Chico B from St Vincent, Mr Bluez from Grenada, Kelly Jr from USVI, Rumer from St Maarten, McKenzie ‘B’More’ Baltimore from the BVI, and St Kitts natives Combine Elite and Rucas.

“When I heard about these guys, I didn’t know what the calibre was. But seeing who I was up against, I went, and I do my homework. Rucas – great, great, great performer. Drastic – international songwriter. McKenzie ‘B’More’ – that dude is on to something. I don’t know if you all notice but he is on to something… Combined Elite from St Kitts – energy can’t done. So shout outs to all them guys,” Parsons said.

He added, “The hardest thing to do is repeat [victory].”

Parsons won with the song titled Come As You Are, and collected a $10,000 cheque for the victory. Besides being crowned the 2017 Soca Monarch, he also won the category of Best Performer.

Rucas won the Grooviest Performance category, while the Combine Elite took the Most Energetic Performance prize.

The competition was held last night inside the Road Town festival village, which is named after Neil Blyden this year.