26 year old Quacy Coates aka “Avalanche” who is a technical operator at the National Communications Network says he is well prepared for the Carib Soca monarch quarter finals tonight at the McKenzie Sports Complex.

The Carib Soca Monarch is being hosted by Ansa McAl to commemorate Mashramani 2013.As a first time participant, Quacy Coates says he is very much confident of advancing to the semi finals of the Carib Soca monarch.

“I must say I am very much excited in entering this competition because I see this as a stepping stone towards my musical career and I want to go out there tonight and show Guyana and the world that Quacy Coates have talent, I can do just as much as the regular artistes and push myself out there.”

He added that his love for music encouraged him to enter the competition.

“This is mash and this is our festival so I see this also as my contribution towards mash this year.”

Coates noted that he used music to support him throughout his life. He added that he had further entered several competitions but it is his first time in the Carib Soca monarch.

“Growing up for me, I would not say it was easy, I grew up with my mom and dad being separated it was hard for me but I still kept myself together and used music as a motivation to move me and keep me through my struggles.”

“In 2004, I entered ACDA’s rap/reggae competition, I got first runner up, in 2005 I entered again and coped the first place. Two years after in 2007 I entered the Cellink Jingle & Song competition and I was one of the top ten finalist and two years later I entered for the second time and was placed in the top ten and now I am trying to get in the Soca competition and do real great.”

Coates said he started singing at a very tender age.

“I started singing at the age of five but professionally I started to develop my profession at the age of twelve that is when I started to write my own music.”

Twenty two persons are participating in the competition, five of whom will be eliminated in the quarter finals and headed to Berbice, where another five will be eliminated in the semi finals.

The remaining 13 will battle in the finals to unseat reigning monarch Jumo Primo. The finals of the 2013 Carib Soca monarch competition will take place at the National Park on February 16.