​By J. M. Harrigan
July 9, 2025 | St. John’s, Antigua

In the midst of public uproar surrounding the 2025 Soca Monarch Quarterfinals, Tamisha “Tammy” Roberts, Secretary of the National Soca Fraternity (NSF), has stepped forward to clarify her role and set the record straight following statements made by artist Kid Fresh.

The controversy centers on the decision to have Kid Fresh privately judged due to travel constraints—an action many artists saw as unfair. Roberts, in a candid statement, explained that while she had spoken with Kid Fresh prior to the competition, she was never officially updated on any resolution and had no authority to make decisions independently.

“As the Secretary of the NSF, I facilitate communication on behalf of the board. No single person has the power to make executive decisions,” Roberts emphasized. “Anyone who understands how a board functions knows that.”

According to Roberts, after being informed by Kid Fresh about his situation, she immediately reached out—on a personal level—to key individuals including Denise Francis, Petley, Lisa, and Khan, to inquire if anything could be done.

“I said to him, ‘I will see what can be done.’ I followed up immediately. The last update I received was, ‘They’ll get back to me.’ No one ever did—neither them, nor Kid Fresh,” she explained. “That told me nothing was finalized.”

Roberts made it clear that her involvement was informal and not under her official NSF capacity. Ultimately, the Festivals Commission made a unilateral decision, failing to notify either the NSF board or Roberts herself.

Tensions peaked on Wednesday, July 2, when during the live show, the MC announced that Kid Fresh and Natural Rampler had been privately judged prior to the Quarterfinals. The move ignited strong backlash from fellow artists and industry insiders.

“From that moment, our phones started ringing,” Roberts recalled. “Artists were demanding answers, and rightly so. As a board, our priority is fairness and transparency for all 87 of our members.”

The NSF executive board, made up of 11 elected members, held an urgent meeting and then engaged in dialogue with the Commission, which resulted in a resolution and a subsequent press release from the Commission.

Roberts also expressed frustration that the NSF had not been consulted beforehand, stating they could have recommended a more inclusive alternative.

“Had we been informed early, we might have suggested that Kid Fresh perform his Jumpy song during the Groovy Quarterfinals on July 1st. He was present in person that night. He could have been slotted last after the Groovy performances,” she said, pointing to precedents like Krokus, who had been afforded similar accommodations for the past three years due to national duties.

Addressing public perception directly, Roberts reaffirmed her impartiality and dedication to fairness.

“I have no personal issues with any artist, including Kid Fresh. I did my best to look out for him. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again — my actions were in his best interest,” she said. “That was also stated publicly in the National Soca Fraternity group.”

Roberts concluded with a call for unity within the creative community.

“With such a large and passionate group of Soca contributors in Antigua and Barbuda, we must remain grounded in integrity, openness, and collective responsibility,” she said. “Love and light to everyone.”