Jevaughn J. 'JJ' Parsons has called on the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee to treat local artistes better. Photo: VINO

Jevaughn ‘JJ’ Parsons has retained his title as Soca Monarch of the Virgin Islands (VI) when the competition was held last evening August 3, 2017. Photo: VINO

Face (right) was named First Runner Up while Drastic (left) was adjudged second Runner Up in the 2017 Soca Monarch Competition. Photos: VINO

Combine Elites (left) was awarded for Most Energetic Performance while Rucas was awarded for Most Grooviest Performance. Photos: VINO

2017 Soca Monarch 'JJ' strikes a pose with Sista Joyce and his $10k prize. Photo: VINO

Speaking with reporters shortly after taking the crown for the second year in the Soca Monarch competition on August 4, 2017, Jevaughn J. ‘JJ’ Parsons sent a strong message to the VIFFC, “I want to call on them to treat locals a little bit better.”

At the time, he was speaking directly about the mileage local artistes get on advertising posters produced by the VIFFC.

"When you advertise, glorify your locals. I see a lot of posters out, a lot of them. You know who is on the forefront? The international acts. Of course, people want to see that, yes. But I think Sister Joyce face should be big on one of them too. I think Mack Daddy should be big on one of them too. I think Jugo should be big on one of them too. I think JJ should be big on one of them too,” stressed Mr Parsons.

Advocates for better treatment

Local artiste and four times Calypso Monarch Joyce Searles aka Sister Joyce had cause to move to social media to blast the Committee for not having her on the poster which resulted in the committee rushing to have her included. When she posted her bashing comment, several other local artistes supported her opinion and the position she took.

Coincidentally or not, Searles was called on stage to do the honour of crowning the 2017 Soca Monarch.

Now Parsons has taken the advocacy to another level.  “So, as a festival committee, glorify us. Put us on that stage too. Make it easier for us to help people gravitate to us. Let’s sell our brother because we have a lot to offer, and that’s what I want to see,” he lamented.

“What I want for them to do is surround us with the bigger acts because, when people see you in that light, it’s easier for them to transition to you, adjust to you, accept you. [They should] say: ‘hey the big artiste here, but this guy locally could do it there with the big artiste too,” the reigning Soca Monarch said.

See Previous Story on August 4, 2017

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Jevaughn J. ‘JJ’ Parsons retained his crown as Soca Monarch carting off the $10,000.00 prize which he intends to plug into a studio.

The competition which was initially set for an 8:00 PM start on August 3, 2017 at the Neil A. "Mr Melee" Blyden Festiville in Road Town, never started until approximately 11:30 PM and it took about a three hour stretch for the competition to end.

At the end, it was the defending Champion who retained the title but many expressed shock at the judges’ decision as they had the win for either Drastic who did “Oye”, Combine Elite with their piece called “Big Truck”, Kelly Jr with “Too much to handle” or even B More who did “TGIS”. 

However, with the judges’ decision being final, Face emerged 1st runner-up and Drastic 2nd runner-up.

The prize for Most Energetic Performance went to Combine Elite, the Grooviest Performance went to Rucas while Parsons was judged Best Performer.

Speaking with reporters following his win, Parsons who was crowned by Joyce Sereales aka Sista Joy, took a sweep at the BVI Festival and Fairs  Committee, blasting them for promoting international artists on their flyers more than they do for local bands and artistes.

More details will be followed.