Nailah Blackman walked away with $450,000 and the title of the first Senior Intellectual Chutney Monarch.
The inaugural competition was hosted by the National Chutney Foundation of T&T (NCFTT) and held at the Mid Centre Mall, Chaguanas.
Blackman beat a field of nine singing the selection, Jam of the Year.
Dr Vijay Ramlal- Rai, the head of the NCFTT, said he was elated that Blackman won.
He said “ Nailah came from a rich cultural heritage, with her iconic grandfather, the late Ras Shorty I, leaving a musical legacy for all to follow. I am happy to see that the crowd support was so tremendous, Chutney is crossing all borders and we welcome all to come and take part.”
Legendary Chutney singer Rakesk “The Raja” Yankaran won the Traditional Chutney King. Yankaran also takes home a top prize of $450,000.
Yankaran said, “The Traditional (Chutney Monarch) is really to encourage the younger people to sing the traditional music and play the dhantal and the dhol.” “Those are things our forefathers brought from India so we are trying to keep the tradition (alive). It is about spreading the tradition.