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Soca vs Reggae: Where do you stand?

Patrice Roberts

All bets are off at this year’s Soca Versus Reggae VIII event.

Organisers will be pitting an all female soca team against an all male reggae line-up in its first ever ‘Battle of the Sexes’.

And it is anyone’s guess which team will win over the crowd and impress the judges at the August 1st event.

While he can’t predict the results, one thing event promoter Vejay Steede promises is that the 2014 Official Cup Match After Party will be as “hype as ever” — thanks to its celebrated international deejays and a host of popular live performers.

“Soca will be represented by the rambunctious ‘Whining Queen’ Denise (Saucy) Belfon, a legend of the Trinidad carnival scene and a favourite of Soca junkies around the globe,” Mr Steede explained. “[Also taking to the stage for Soca will be] the crown ‘Princess of Soca’ Patrice Roberts and powerhouse Soca DJ Giselle (D Wassi One) Blanche, out of Trinidad.

“This by no means represents a ‘soft’ or ‘weak’ defence for soca, as the ladies selected to hold the fort are very much dynamic, awesome, and inspiring performers in their own right; formidable to say the very least.”

The Reggae team will be represented by some hard-core music veterans, whom are expected to pull out all the stops at the upcoming event, Mr Steede said.

“The Reggae team is massive this year. Veterans, legends, luminaries, and all manner of titles of reverence can be used to aptly describe the individual acts that make up the 2014 Reggae team,” he said.

“Coming with every intention to take the crown back will be none other than “Mr Dutty Wine” Tony Matterhorn, the foundation Stone Love Movement, and the fabulous Mr Vegas.”

The reggae side will have “a stellar line-up”, but the soca team are the reigning champions after winning the music battle two years in a row.

In 2012, it was local DJ D’General and Shal Mashall, known for songs like ‘Trouble’, who ensured soca fans left the party satisfied.

Then last year Bunji Garlin, Faye-Ann Lyons and DJ Rusty G joined forces to see that attendees were waving their soca banners high for a second year.

And while the ladies will be bringing considerable experience and style to the match, Mr Steede said it would be “a tall order” defending the crown against some of reggae’s heavy hitters.

“The Soca Team will be going for an unprecedented third straight win in the now established showpiece event, which would put them two wins clear of the hungry Reggae Team,” the organiser said.

“The boys, however, will be pulling out all the stops to even up the win total at four wins a piece and keep the vibes nice and equal; which seems appropriate considering that equality has always been the goal in any historical struggle between the sexes.”

The battle will be taking place at Snorkel Park Complex, following the finale of the Cup Match game on August 1.

Tickets are $50 until Saturday; and $65 after that. They will be on sale Island wide, including: Secrets (Washington Mall), Audio Visual Electronics (Somerset and Hamilton), Rotisserie Grill (Collectors Hill), Authentic Choices Clothing Store, Kit ‘n’ Kaboodle, Stefanel, The Salon Store, The Phoenix Center, Brown & Co., Clarendon Pharmacy, Paget Pharmacy, Robertson’s Drugstore (St. Georges), Platinum Entertainment (Somerset), Sweet Saak Bakery (St. Georges), and Toxic Rose.

A limited number of patron tickets will also be available for $150, which includes access to an exclusive VIP section at Snorkel Park, free drinks, food, and numerous giveaways throughout the night.

These all-inclusive tickets can be purchased exclusively at Secrets or from SVR Organizers.

Denise Belfon, known for singles like "Hard Wuk" and "Saucy Baby", will be representing the ladies at this year's Soca Versus Reggae event, kicking off at Snorkel Park on August 1.
Jamaican dance hall star, Mr Vegas, will be representing Team Reggae in this summer’s Soca Versus Reggae event kicking off on August 1.