Leadpipe ready for ISM finals

Bajan artiste Leadpipe will be the first contestant on stage at the International Soca Monarch (ISM) competition in Trinidad on Friday night.

The 2019 Tune of the Crop winner is performing at position number one in the Groovy Soca contest that will be followed by the Power Soca segment.

The Fantastic Friday showdown, which will see 12 finalists do battle in each competition, takes place at the Queen Park Savannah, in Port of Spain from 8 p.m.

Leadpipe, real name Osvaldo Reid, told Barbados TODAY that he is ready to put on a great show and do credit to his brand and, by extension, his country.

“I’m ecstatic about being in the finals of the International Soca Monarch. It is going to be wonderful. It is going to be fantastic at number one,” he said. “So everybody come out early and support. It will be great,” he encouraged.

Leadpipe’s manager, Ingrid Holder of Live Wire Entertainment, is in Trinidad with the artiste and reported that all systems are “go”.

“Preparations are going well. Everything is in place. Suit ready, props ready, dancers are ready; more importantly, Leadpipe is ready. He is ready mentally and physically. We are happy with what we have to present and he is comfortable at his position,” she told Barbados TODAY.

Leadpipe is the only Bajan competing in the finals of the competition. Both Marzville and Walkes who were in the Groovy and Power Soca semis, respectively, did not advance.

Those who want to take in the action live can do so by tuning into CBC TV 8.

The station announced via social media that coverage will start at 8:03 p.m.

Meanwhile, it was reported that reigning Power Soca Monarch Mr Killa will not be defending his title.

The Grenadian whose real name is Hollice Mapp complained that since he had arrived in Trinidad more than a month ago he “did not receive any of the courtesies or protocol one would expect to be extended to the current title holder”.

“My team and I have been deprived of the details and tools necessary for me to properly prepare for my performance. My team and I have chosen not to compromise my performance or the expectations of fans,” a statement released by the artiste said. (IMC)

International Soca Monarch competition order of appearance:

GROOVY SOCA: Leadpipe, Asten Isaac, Rome, Rayzor, Kerry John, Preedy, Ding Dong, College Boy Jesse, Blaxx, Skinny Banton, Isaiah and Swappi.

POWER SOCA: Mr. Renzo, Rome, Mical Teja, Preedy, Luni Spark & Electrify, Shal Marshall, Iwer George, Prophet Benjamin, Olatunji, Problem Child, Lyrikal and Trinidad Ghost.