Although he’s still out of the country, soca artiste Kern “Trinidad Killa” Joseph has qualified for the semi-finals of the Ultimate Soca Champion competition at the Naparima Bowl Amphitheatre, San Fernando, on Sunday. However, he is yet to confirm with organisers whether he'll be here to fulfil his obligation to the competition.
During the drawing for the order of performances at GML Labs, Guardian Media Building, St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain, yesterday, a representative selected position number seven for the Eskimo singer.
“I guess he’s still out in the cold,” event director Jerome “Rome” Precilla joked at the time.
But Joseph's qualification raised questions among those present, as the event is not only a competition but a reality television show that requires participants' presence in the days ahead of Sunday.
Precilla admitted it presented a unique situation.
“Trinidad Killa's representative will have to let us know in terms of the organisation... as to what will take place,” he said.
Precilla said like most of the semi-finalists, Joseph auditioned virtually and was selected but made it clear the singer has to be present on Sunday.
“I do not know Trinidad Killa’s immigration status, it’s not our concern, all we know is that he must be physically present there,” he said.
Contacted via WhatsApp yesterday on whether he will be present for Sunday’s semi-final, Joseph said he did not want to let the "cat out of the bag" but said his 2025 soca Eskimo reminds him of how much he misses home.
“My message to Trinidad and Tobago, I love you all from the bottom of my heart. Every day I get up and listen Eskimo and cry, I miss home so much but everything happened for a reason...But soon link up,” he said.
Soca artiste Melick Baptiste remains on reserve until Trinidad Killa’s handlers confirm his attendance, but the “Take Bamboo” singer is not sure he should wait around, as he has a busy season.
“We will negotiate if it makes sense to do it still or not because, at the same time, it is time too and time is precious to you because I have a bar business, as well as we have plenty of bookings this week full out, so it’s like to push away stuff to do something and it’s not even too sure,” he Baptiste said of his status in the competition.
He expressed disappointment at making the semis directly.
“To be in a reserve position knowing that this song, people saying, I won’t say it, people that I have so much of a great song and then still not even being a foot inside, it kind of disappointing to me,” he said.
Baptiste and Heaven “Snakey” Charles qualified as reserves for the semifinals. However, Snakey got a semifinal spot after Dominica's Gael Jno-Baptiste, whose “Someone Else” is a hit this season, pulled out of the competition.
“I happy now to feel confident that alright, I am in the semis officially,” Charles, who will now perform in position number 14 on Sunday, said.
He appreciates the reality element of the competition.
“I think it works in unison with my belief, following God does show you patience is one of the most important things, I think being on the reserve first gave me a chance to think and reflect,” he said.
The competition has two categories, one for the youth with a first prize of $200,000 and the main event, where the winner will take home one million dollars.
The finals are carded for February 20 at the Queen's Park Savannah.
(Semi-final draw)
1. Kris Kenndy
2. Juby
3. Blaka Dan
4. Orlando Octave
5. GI
6. Iwer George
7. Trinidad Killa
8. Nessa Preppy
9. Ding Dong
10. Yung Bredda
11. Preedy
12. Imani Ray
13. Anika Berry
14. Snakey
15. Dash
16. Nailah Blackman
17. Anthonell Bravo
18. Jadel
19. Cassell
20. Swappi
Reserve: Melick Baptiste
Youth Contest
1 Verrse
2 Sucre
3 Shequan
4 Seyi
5 Juniah Lifa
6 Aaron Duncan
7 Paris Coutain
8 Kristina James
9 Sackie
10 Christo
Reserve Sadaeya
