Little-known artistes seek breakthrough

While Joel Davis, Connector, has been on the local music scene for 14 years, visibility has been difficult to receive, due to what he has termed a calypso clique.

The TT-born Canadian King of Calypso is offering three songs for this season “D Dress,” “Mother Calypso” and “In The Mood.” Last year, Connector dethroned Eulith Tara Woods aka “Macomere Fifi” at the Organisation of Calypso Performing Artists’ Monarch. During an interview with Newsday, Connector said, “If Bunji or Fay Ann drop [their music] they will play all the time.” The artistes who are all from Point Fortin shared similar takes on the local music industry, saying that little- known artistes either had to contribute financially to be recognised or be aligned to certain groups.

Connector’s fellow performers are offering “Fetting” (Septi-Septimus Toussaint), “All Night” (Tremendous Tree-Nicholas Stephens Callender) and “Lovely Body” (Reno-Reno Aberdeen) for Carnival.

Particularly for Connector, it is hard for a foreign artiste to break into the local market since many hold that the artiste is simply here to take from them and go.

“There is a lot of negative vibes.

People think that you are a not a Trini anymore,” he said. Connector added that the songs done by calypsonians like him were done mainly for the love of the culture and not for any form of return. For all four calypsonians, a central priority would be to receive airplay.

Septi comes from a family of singers and decided two years ago that since he was blessed with a God-given talent he would utilise it, but putting the talent out into the world has been difficult and so when presented with a chance, he joined Quality Promotions International Vibes to promote his growing music career.

For promoter Williams, having returned to TT four years ago, she assisted her children with an honorary show for legendary musician Roy Cape. After that she began managing young artistes in Toronto due to her growing love of music management.

After retiring from a marketing job in Canada, she decided to enter the field of artist management. Admittedly, it has been difficult, she said, getting the business started but it is a decision she does regret.

The company which began in November 2016 is aiming to create greater synergies with local artistes and those within the diaspora.

Williams said she is working on getting the artistes to perform in Canada.

While her team at the moment consists of the four men, she hopes to pull a woman on board soon. However, working with the men, “has been the best,” she said.

All four artistes have entered competitions among them soca and calypso monarch. Both Aberdeen and Davis will be in tents (Aberdeen in Rainbow Stars Tent in Chaguanas and Davis in Calypso Showcase, OWTU Palms Club, San Fernando).

While Toussaint and Callender aren’t attached to any tents, a YouTube search would yield a sample of their music.