Finals Fever: Who’s Taking the Crown This Weekend? ?

It’s that time again, folks. Kaiso, Groovy, and Power finals weekend is finally here, and the streets are buzzing! Who will be crowned our kings or queens of 2026?

Dezral pulled off the double last year, snatching both the Kaiso and Power Monarch crowns in 2025. But the question on everybody’s lips: is he still your favourite heading into this year’s showdown?

As a radio personality, my day job puts me right in the thick of it all, the music, the artists, even the front row seat of sitting down for interviews with the very people lighting up these stages. And let me tell you, watching the growth of artists like Shemmy J, Kisha Kay, Gumption, and Ready over the years? It’s proof our music and our competitions are heading in a beautiful direction.

Meanwhile, the veterans aren’t going anywhere. TC Brown, Herb Black, and Minelle are still holding it down in the tents, and living legends like Ricky T and Arthur remain threats in every competition they dare to enter.

So, who are my picks this year? Let me break down my predictions.

Kaiso Monarch: A Three Way Headache

Kaiso is impossible to call this year. Minelle is consistent as ever, an absolute beast on stage, and you never, ever, want to count her out. Lushanne is just a GEM, and it boils down to what version of her we get on that night. But my personal top picks come down to Herb Black and TC Brown.

I’ll admit it: I love TC’s “English Teacher.” And as we all know, when it comes to finals, TC simply knows how to perform. Herb Black, on the other hand, has both of his songs stuck in my head on repeat, catchy, relatable, and honestly? I’ve been testing his “Ugly Woman” theory for years now. Works every time. ?

My prediction:

1. Herb Black
2. TC Brown
3. Minelle

I’ve flipped this order more times than I can count, but that’s my final top three, for now.

Groovy Soca: Enter the Dark Horses

Let’s talk Groovy. Imran held it down in 2025, and going into 2026, my favourite from him is “Flavour,” if that’s the song he chooses to defend his crown with. If it’s “Vini,” he’s still a strong contender, but nothing about this is going to be easy.

Why? Because for crying out loud, Ricky T and Arthur are back.

Ricky T qualified effortlessly at semis, and his song has the crowd in a chokehold. Arthur just knows how to pull rabbits out of a hat every time he competes, and his song “Work on Pause” is something we can all relate to.

Deevon remains a phenomenal performer, never count him out. But my dark horse this year? Kisha Kay. That woman is hungry, and she wants this bad. You know that character from Lord of the Rings, obsessed with the ring? That’s Kisha Kay right now, locked in.

And we can’t forget Sly, a proven winner who knows the recipe. He’s not competing with my personal favourites this year, I preferred “Horny Button” and honestly “I Cyah Wait” even more, but he’s bringing “Captain” to the stage instead. Still, that’s just my song preference talking; Sly always brings the passion when it counts.

Shemmy J also has bangers this year. Could he be another dark horse in this race?

My picks:

1. Kisha Kay
2. Ricky T
3. Arthur

…or is it Ricky T, Arthur, then Kisha? My goodness, this category is giving me an actual headache.

Power Monarch: The Big One

Now let’s get into Power. Who’s taking home the 2026 crown?

At this point, I really salute all of you for making it this far into the article. Jusso y’all showing your true colours, and just like that, we Actimo!

Power is tough to call, but I believe it’s between Ricky T, Ezra, and Lance. “Cooler” is an anthem by law, which makes it hard to rule out Sedale, HP, and Deevon. Dhirv and company are set to light up Soca Monarch, and don’t sleep on Tension either, they can cause an upset on the night with ease.

And then there’s Shemmy J, who gave us a legitimate anthem for 2026. This is his monarch to lose, one of the biggest bangers of the year.

My prediction… lawd. Read this paragraph again, because I genuinely can’t call it. ?

Vote below and choose your favourites heading into finals weekend, what are YOUR predictions? ??

The Groovy and Power Soca Monarch is scheduled for Friday, July 10, 2026 and the Calypso Monarch competition on Saturday, July 11, 2026. The events will take place at the SAB Vigie. Tickets for both shows are $60 and can be purchased from 4circlestickets.com, The Cell outlets island wide and Steve’s Barbershop

in Castries. Tickets are $80 at the gate.