Soca Stars Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons Withdraw from Road March Competition
In a surprising turn of events, Trinidadian Soca power couple Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons have announced their withdrawal from the highly anticipated Road March competition. Their decision, rooted in concerns about the integrity of the judging process, has sent shockwaves through the Soca community and sparked heated debates online.
The couple made their announcement via a heartfelt video on social media, where Fay Ann expressed that recent discussions surrounding the competition influenced their choice. The controversy began when a judge associated with the Road March claimed that Machel Montano’s song "Pardy" was leading the race. This premature declaration did not sit well with many, including the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organization (TUCO), which oversees the event. TUCO quickly dismissed the judge for making public comments that could skew perceptions of the competition. However, the damage was done, and the shadow of doubt loomed large over the event.
Bunji Garlin, a three-time Road March winner, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his thoughts. He wrote, “I can’t remember a Carnival where my heart was this full. I wrote a song to tell a story of a people. Full stop. It took wings and went where it wanted and needed to go.” His song "Carry It" was considered a strong contender this year, alongside Montano’s "Pardy." On Ash Wednesday, Montano was preliminarily declared the winner, marking his 11th Road March title and breaking a tie with Fay Ann’s father, Super Blue, who has ten titles.
Fay Ann, also a three-time Road March winner, expressed her disappointment with the current state of the competition. She stated, “We have decided that the competition sector is no longer attractive to us. The integrity, the way things are being done, the people they are putting to do the things that they have to do—it’s very uncomfortable and unsettling to us. In light of that, we have decided to step away.” Her previous Road March victories came from hits like "Display" (2003), "Get On" (2008), and "Meet Super Blue" (2009). Bunji’s titles include "Famalay" (2019) and "Hard Fete" (2023), the latter of which he shared with Fay Ann.
The couple’s withdrawal has ignited a firestorm of discussion within the Soca community. Many fans and fellow artists are left wondering whether this is a temporary hiatus or a permanent exit from the competition. Their departure raises significant questions about the credibility of the Road March competition and its future. As the Trinidad Carnival season draws to a close, the conversations about fairness and integrity in the judging process are likely to continue, with Bunji and Fay Ann’s decision adding fuel to the ongoing debate.
In a world where music and culture intertwine, the integrity of competitions like Road March is crucial. As fans rally around their favorite artists, one can’t help but wonder: What does the future hold for the Road March competition, and how will it adapt to ensure fairness for all participants?
