Soca Rumble winners TMO and Ricky da Foxx, crowned and awarded US $10,000 Saturday night. Edgardo Lynch photo.

CARNIVAL VILLAGE--TMO and Ricky da Foxx were announced the winners of Saturday night's Soca Rumble Battle of the Best at Carnival Village, attended by over 3,000 patrons. They were each awarded US $10,000 and their songs will also be digitally distributed through VP Records.

The two winners won separate categories, Groovy and Power Soca: TMO with "Jam it up" and Ricky da Foxx with "pots and pans."

Shadz was first runner up for both categories with "Caribbean Woman" and "I Jumpin up," while Ricky da Foxx was second runner up for Groovy with "Roll it on Me," and King Vers was second runner up for Power Soca with "Getting on bad."

Some 22 singers performed a combined 33 songs within both categories. The energetic performers went all out with original props, acting, dancers and costumes.

Promoter Grisha Marten of Montage called it an "awesome show," in line with audience feedback, and said that she had been blown away by all of the performances. She presented winners with the crowns and symbolic cheques, along with Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs Rita Bourne-Gumbs.

Marten told The Daily Herald that she had been receiving many compliments, but that her praises go to the artists, who just needed the platform.

Shadz, first runner up in two categories, is pictured performing along with back-up dancers in traditional dress. Edgardo Lynch photo.

Organisers aimed to elevate local soca artists in the region and push St. Maarten's musical talent to the world.

Five judges, four international and one local, were tasked with scoring the contenders: Tempo Chief Executive Officer Fredrick Morton, VP Records Marketer Natasha Thomas, Carib Vision Broadcast Journalist Anthony "Admiral" Nelson, entertainer/ talent developer Dion "Mega D" Humphreys, and St. Maarten's Xtratight Entertainment Director Bertaux "Mr. Rude" Fleming. 

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/index.php?option=com_content&id=55129%3Atmo-ricky-da-foxx-conquer-soca-rumble&Itemid=54