Barbados' Biggie Irie has claimed a spot in the International Groovy Soca Monarch Competition finals. He entered the competition with fellow Barbadians Peter Ram and Red Plastic Bag but has been the only one to qualify for finals. Reminiscent of his journey in 2007, Biggie is once again battling through the tough competition to claim possession of one of the most highly sought after titles in the Caribbean's soca industry. Since capturing the title Biggie Irie remains the only non-national to win this competition and he looks set to win it again this year.

The highly anticipated semi-final competition saw artists performing some of the Trinidad Carnival season's hottest songs including Peter Ram's "Tight", Hunter "Jepp Sting Nania", Faye-Ann Lyon's "Heavy T Bumper" and Patch &  Ma$tamind's "Rum and Roti". Clearly this year's contest has been one of the most stiffly competed events in the competition's sixteen year history. Pyramid Entertainment wishes to extend our best wishes to Biggie Irie and we look forward to seeing him in the finals on February 20th, 2009 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

The finalists for the International Groovy Soca Monarch Competition are:
Benjai - Trinidad & Tobago
Biggie Irie - Barbados
Faye-Ann Lyons - Trinidad & Tobago
Hunter - Trinidad & Tobago
Kerwin Du Bois - Trinidad & Tobago
Nadia Batson - Trinidad & Tobago
Patch &  Ma$tamind - Trinidad & Tobago
Shurwayne Winchester - Trinidad & Tobago (Defending Champion)
Tizzy & Richard Trumpet - Antigua & Barbuda / Trinidad and Tobago
Zan - Trinidad & Tobago
Zoelah - St. Vincent & the Grenadines