There won’t be a Soca Monarch competition in the lineup of events for Crop Over in Barbados this year.

The announcement came from CEO of the National Cultural Foundation Carol Roberts-Reifer, who said it was based on the view that the competition didn’t benefit the artistes in “pursuing a sustainable livelihood.” 

The event will instead be replaced by a concert to be held on August 6th.

“So, we have agreed that we will mount a joint campaign and project to assist artistes and producers with the production of soca tunes that can hold their own in any market,” Roberts-Reifer said.

Trinidad and Tobago also pulled its Soca Monarch competition from this year’s Carnival festivities, however the private organizers for the event said it was due to a lack of funding.