Ultimate Soca Champion finalists announced; some big names out

The Ultimate Soca Champion 2025 competition has announced its finalists, who will compete for the title and a $1 million prize, following Sunday’s semifinal at the Naparima Bowl, San Fernando.

The finalists are:

Anika Berry – Saddle

Blaka Dan (Grenada) – Blessing

Cassell – Sensational

Dash (Grenada) – The Tape

Ding Dong – Throwback

Nailah Blackman – Forever

Orlando Octave – Auction

Preedy – Blaze Fire

Snakey – De Hammer

Yung Bredda – Greatest Bend Over

The reserve finalist is GI with ‘Mocking Mout’

Several big names in the soca fraternity—like Nessa Preppy, Kris Kenndy, Jadel, and Swappi—did not advance to the finals of the Ultimate Soca Champion competition, which will take place on February 20, 2025, at the Queen’s Park Savannah.

Before the semi-finals, Kern “Trinidad Killa” Joseph had to pull out of the competition because he was unable to be physically present and his plan for a holographic performance was rejected by the organizers.

The first reserve Melick Baptiste took Killa’s space. And on Friday, Iwer George also withdrew from the competition and was replaced with Trilla G.

The competition is broken into two categories: the Youth and Ultimate Soca Champions. On the night of the finals, there also will be a social media wild card. USC said details of the rules of the Wild Card element will be announced on its social media pages.

The five Youth Soca Champions are Christo with his song ‘Unity’, Kristina James with ‘Soca Like Dat’, Paris Coutain with ‘Lick Up’, Sackie with ‘Table’, and Sucre with his 2025 offering ‘The Greatest’.

The 2024 Tobago Soca Titans winner, Verrse, is the reserve.

When contacted about Sunday’s turnout, USC Director Jerome “Rome” Precilla said the venue was packed with lots of flags.