(SKNIS): The reigning 2017-18 Soca Monarch, Bjorn “Mr. Hype” Bassue, will be taking his talent and special brand of entertainment to Montserrat to compete in the Regional Arrow Soca Monarch Competition on March 16, 2018.

Mr. Hype is following in the footsteps of soca artiste Jarez “LAX” Liburd, who participated in the competition last year and won over the judges and the audience.

The Ministry of Culture and the National Carnival Committee continue to support local cultural ambassadors as they represent the country in regional contests. Deputy Prime Minister, Honourable Shawn Richards, presented Mr. Hype with a cheque for $7,500 on Tuesday, March 06.

Minister Richards noted the creativity of Mr. Hype and said that he was confident that the young artiste will represent the country well.

“I have no doubt that he has the talent, the capabilities to do so having won the local show some three times,” the deputy prime minister stated. “… On behalf of the government, the Ministry of Culture, and certainly on behalf of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis, I want to wish him the very best.”

The regional show slated for Salem Park is just over a week away. Mr. Bassue noted that preparations were going well.

“I’m really thankful for the support,” he expressed. “… We have a lot of preparations ongoing and this contribution will definitely help us to solidify a lot of the things we have been working on in preparation for the show in Montserrat. We definitely are going to go out and give it 110 percent and make the federation proud.”

Chairman of the National Carnival Committee, Noah Mills, also wished Mr. Hype well. He explained that the contribution to this year’s participant is above what was dispersed last year due to the organizer’s announcement that they will no longer cover the cost of airfare for contestants.