Kisha Kay Wins First Female Groovy Soca Monarch Title

Kisha Kay is the first female Saint Lucian to win the Groovy Soca Monarch championship, her real name is Kisha Joseph. She won the historic win with her song Done at the National Groovy and Power Soca Monarch Finals at Vigie's SAB (Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority Grounds) on the 10th of July, one of the largest events of the Lucian Carnival on the island.

It is a major event to achieve in Saint Lucia's carnival history because there had not been a female artiste win the Groovy Soca Monarch crown since that competition was introduced. Kisha Kay's performance and engagement with the audience were enough to help her beat the stiff competition of the finalists, former champions, and renowned soca artists.

The salute performed by Ezra D'Funmachine (real name Ezra Augustin) won the Power Soca Monarch in the Power Soca category at the 2026 event. The win was also a resurgence for the veteran, who has been in the game for 12 years since his last win, showing that he still has a great impact on Saint Lucia's soca music industry.

Key Highlights:

• Kisha Kay becomes the first woman to win Saint Lucia's Groovy Soca Monarch
• Ezra D'Funmachine claims the 2026 Power Soca Monarch title after 12 years
• Both winners receive EC$40,000 and national honours

Kisha Kay and Ezra D'Funmachine were both awarded the top prize of EC$40,000 (around £11,000) for the competition as well as the national honors. Their triumphs were announced after they played before a huge crowd that had gathered for one of the most anticipated cultural events of the year of the Lucian Carnival.

After weeks of quarterfinal and semifinal topping, there were nine finalists in each category in the 2026 finals. Kisha Kay had been a qualifier for both Groovy and Power Soca competitions and played Done in Groovy and Hot Already in Power. In the Groovy and Power finals, respectively, Complimentary also made it to the finals with Ezra D'Funmachine, showcasing the versatility of both artists during the competition.

One of the most important of the annual carnival in Saint Lucia is the National Groovy and Power Soca Monarch which features original music from local artists. They are divided into two categories: Groovy Soca—melodic, mid-tempo and Power Soca—carnival anthems with high energy and fast tempo. The competition is a key way of championing Saint Lucian music and culture and gives space for both new and established performers to perform.

Kisha Kay's historic success is being hailed as a pivotal moment for the music industry in Saint Lucia. She has not only become the first female Groovy Soca Monarch, she has opened a new era in the history of carnival for aspiring female artistes in the Caribbean to pursue success, on one of the continent's most popular cultural platforms.