Samraj Jaimungal, October 17 1964, San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago
Jai’s 1988 debut single Sumintra told the story of an Indo-Trinidadian woman from Debe who informed her boyfriend that she preferred soca over Indian artist Lata Mangeshkar’s music. The following year, Jai returned with Pumping, Bolo, and Show Me Yuh Motion. In 1993, Jai left the soca world to perform in the chutney soca arena, which he continues to do today. Chutney Vibrations is a compilation of soca chutney rhythms and Jai’s re-reading of the Juma. The most commercially successful of his releases is Mor Tor, which features fellow Trinidadian soca star Machel Montano. He released songs such as Aj Bhi Jeen and Bodi ke Dal in 2007 and Barman in 2008. The Chutney Soca Monarch award has been won by Jai a record-breaking six times. He also won his 7th title when he teamed up with Ravi B for the song White Oak and Water in 2011.
He tied for first place (with Bunji Garlin) in 2001’s “Young King” contest and placed second in 2010’s “Chutney Soca Monarch”.
He won TT$2 million in the 2011 Chutney Soca Monarch.