Another first for Carnival was the ACASA virtual Groovy Monarch competition, which saw nine contestants vie for the crown. The groovy competition, which would usually take place around the third week in August, was filmed and pre-recorded at Abbey Road Studios and then streamed online last night via the Notting Hill Carnival YouTube channel as part of their 2020 Access All Areas presentation.
Singing Soca Raised Me, it was Ms Desire who most impressed the audience and won the first-ever virtual groovy competition. Soca News asked her how she feels about winning, and about her experience of performing for a virtual experience.
Ms Desire said, “I’m in shock. I honestly wasn’t expecting to win at all! I always take part in the tent because I love the culture and everything it represents. This year taking part virtually was amazing! We got to record in the legendary Abbey Road Studios, a place I’ve always dreamed of recording. This experience has been fantastic, and coming first is like the icing on the cake!”
The results are:
1st. Ms. Desire – Soca Raised Me
2nd. G-String – Social Distance
3rd. Helena B – Feel It
4th. Batch – Gas Mark 9
5th. De Admiral – You Give It To Somebody
5th. DeeVine – Vibez
7th. Rev B – My Music
8th. Muffinman – Smashin
9th. Clivus – Remind Me
