Caymanian producer and recording artist Jason Gilbert, also known as ‘Skorch Bun It’, has won the 2024 Cayman Soca Monarch competition.
He bested five other finalists, with Erica Assai placing second, followed by Nella Leah and Jade Ashley, who tied for third place. The winners were announced at the AfterMAS event of CayMAS Carnival held earlier this month.
“I’m very pleased to be crowned Soca Monarch as there were very good contestants,” Gilbert told the Cayman Compass via WhatsApp. “Also, everyone knew my Skorch Bun It brand from my production for other artists and for DJ-ing. In 2023, I decided to sing some of my songs so being crowned Soca Monarch is a great step forward in this ‘new’ role in my artistry.”
‘True Colours’
His performance at the show impressed both the five-member panel of qualified judges and the jam-packed crowd. “It was really good vibes and energy. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be able to perform my song to the CayMAS audience.”
His winning song, ‘True Colours’, was inspired by a quote from the book ‘Lawless Caymanas’, which spoke about Emancipation Day in Cayman. His original song earned him a cash prize and the title for a year.
“I wanted to write a song about freedom to express one’s true self. Carnival started from emancipation and as a way to express freedom. My album ‘Stadium Music’ is a party. It’s meant to be played from the top to the end like a concert. It’s also a good gym playlist.”
He joins the list of many Soca Monarchs crowned across the Caribbean, including Trinidad’s Machel Montano, who performed at the Out of this World festival in Cayman in June.
“I know the rest of my peers across the Caribbean see the Soca Monarch title as a big deal. It’s something I always wanted to do but usually participate by producing songs,” Gilbert said.
He added that being named Soca Monarch was a “major step as a recording artist”.
“I’m proud to be the Soca Monarch of my island,” he said.
‘By far the best’
Craig ‘Festa’ Frederick, CayMAS board member, told the Compass, “The Directors of CayMAS are over the moon to see how far the growth of CayMAS Soca Monarch has come since its inception. We have seen it grow into a marquee feature of CayMAS and it has become more and more popular year by year.”
He also pointed to the high level of competition this year. “It was by far the best and most talented group of finalists we have had since our first one in 2017, and they all brought first-class performances for the Finals,” he said via WhatsApp.
“The Directors want to, once again, congratulate Skorch Bun It for his winning performance of True Colours and are excited to see his impact in the soca world as CayMAS Soca Monarch over the next year.”
Gilbert noted the importance of the contest to local performers. “Soca Monarch is great because it gives a taste of what Cayman has to offer to the soca industry. We have great soca artists and music too!”
The 2024 CayMAS Soca Monarch champion hopes to use the crown and his album as “tools to tour and further promote Cayman’s presence in the genre”.
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