International Soca Monarch organisers Caribbean Prestige Foundation (CPF) are hoping that a small change will make a big difference.
A simple change to the contest rules, announced in a January 13 CPF release, means that reigning monarchs are no longer be required to defend their titles.
"The decision to change the rule of defending the title was guided by a decision to align the competition with best practices in the global entertainment industry, where the reigning monarch is not obligated to defend their title," the release said.
Their hope is that the rule-change will make it easier for new talent to emerge, creating a virtuous circle of overall growth in the industry.
The release said, "we believe that it also gives the defending champion the leeway to schedule their seasons in the most beneficial manner for their individual careers and professional obligations. In this sense, the organisation does not want to lock winners into the mandatory dedication of time and resources towards participating in the competition.
The specific change is to rule 2.6 of the contract, which lays out the obligations of the reigning monarch.
However, the release also said that reigning monarchs "will still be obligated to perform all other aspects of the contract."
So, why the change? Chairman Peter Scoon said defending the title “shouldn’t be a chore, but a choice. Artistes should be free to decide if they are motivated to compete or not.”