Mr. Killa gets crowned

Young and talented Hollis "Mr Killa" Mapp from Gouyave, St. John's has been crowned the 2006 Groovy Soca Monarch king.

"Mr Killa" was crowned by Chairman of the Grenada Carnival Committee, Dr Trevor Friday after MC for the show Janice Augustine announced the much-anticipated result.

"Mr Killa and his song , "Spice Isle Rock" stole the attention of the judges and the spectators to crumple the defending king, Byron "Doggies" Cameron who finished in the 6th position.

The competition was staged on Wednesday night at the Tanteen Recreation Ground which was dubbed as Carnival City for Spice Mas 2006. The Groovy Soca Monarch King scored a total of 234 points and was followed by Finley "Scholar" Jeffery (233) with his song "She Well Hold Him", and Anthony "Ranking Marvin" Phillip (229) who performed "Time to Groove".

The fourth spot went to Tron "Yaga Miser" Stewart (221) with "Love Up", 5th was Raphael "Croqueta" Johnson who sang "Jenny In The Party" (213), 6th was Byron "Doggies" Cameron and his Body Language (210), and the 7th spot was taken by Enoch "Mr Lenz" Thomas and "Not Because" (208).

Elwin "Elo" Mark finished in the 8th position with "Chip Chip" (204), 9th was Kellon and Kelson "Lunni Sparks" and "Electrify" Ogiste, "Miss De Mas" (202), 10th was former soca monarch, Wilt "Tallpree" Cambridge with his song, "Antisocial" (201).

Another former soca monarch winner, Sheldon Douglas finished in position No.11 with "Work Up" (205), 12th was Cassius "D Hammer" Morain and his "Seduction" (193), 13th Michael "Mr West" Hezekiah and "Debbie" (187), 14th - Randolph "Soca Elvis" Celestine and "I Like it Slow" (178), 15th - Foster "Super P" Straker, "True Grenadian" (176); and 16th - Jerry "Papa Jerry" Baptiste (168), "The Party".

Speaking to reporters after his victory ,"Mr Killa" said: "It's great, it's great, the feeling is too much to hold inside, it makes me feel to run around and jump up and rejoice. It's a feeling I've never had before because .....it's a new thing for me...I feel very good about it.....yo...Thank God."

The St. John's performer admitted that the competition was tight but was confident since he performed his song to the best of his ability. He said that "Spice Isle Rock" is based on an experience he had on a trip to London more than a year ago.
"Mr Killa" who recently changed his name from "Baby Killa" sees his victory as a major 'come back' following his disappointment during Spice Mas 2005.

The artiste finished almost at the bottom of the field I last year's soca monarch competition in which he was the defending king "Mr. Killa said that he is currently working with international promoters and his plans include producing several videos including one for "Spice Island Rock" featuring Grenada.

During Wednesday night's show, there was one minor problem which came up in the performance of "Luni Spark" and "Electrify" One of the microphones being used by the duo who opened the competition refused to function and the organisers allowed them to perform the song again in its entirety.

English-born, Andrew "Soca Sterling" Wellham who was earlier named as the Standby for the show made a guest appearance and thrilled spectators with his rendition, "Kiss Me Again".