Swappi 4D taking soca to the 'next level'

The artiste, who is known for his brand of soca with a “Passa Passa” dancehall flavour is having his best season yet after making waves in 2010.

“I have been very busy. The season has been excellent.

I would say this is one of the most hectic and phenomenal seasons I have had.

Since I came out, I have had busy seasons but this one tops it all off,” he said in a recent interview.

This year, the artiste made a step forward moving from being “Swappi Inna 3D” to Swappi 4D.

“I’m moving according to the technology and times. 3D is about vision, 4D is the next level, the new technology where you can feel, touch, smell and hear. I move according to the next happening thing,” he said.

For Carnival this year, Swappi has released six tracks in all, including collaborations with Patrice Roberts, Nebula 868 and Umi Marcano.

However his two biggest hits for the season, “Bubble on a DJ” and “Bucket” have crowds at fetes calling his name even before he gets on stage.

When he eventually gets there and begins to sing, pandemonium breaks loose and the crowd is compelled to move.

“Right now I cannot say which one is bigger. They both have their place.

“They are both big tunes. ‘Bubble on a DJ’ caters for the girls and ‘Bucket’ is basically a song everyone could relate to because everyone can relate to a bucket,” he said. The latter song, Swappi admits, brings him the most fame.

“‘Bucket’ is everywhere I turn. When I go on Facebook or on Twitter or during performances is ‘Bucket’ people are talking about. Bucket prices have gone up because of the song.

“When I perform, before I get to the chorus people are chanting bucket,” he said.

Swappi however, was noncommittal when asked about his chances in this year’s finals of the Digicel Power Soca Monarch competition which takes place on Fantastic Friday (February 17) at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain.

“Entering the competition and qualifying for the finals is a great experience already.

Anything can happen for the finals but I am going to do my best,” Swappi said.

What does he have planned for his stage performance? Swappi declined to give any hints.

He said he still has to solidify his plans so he will be meeting with his team to discuss the upcoming competition.

Although his fame has been growing over the past three years, the artiste explained that he has been dabbling in music since his teenage years.

The former Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force recruit was a member of the military band and he was a finalist in the Synergy Soca Star competition in 2006 as part of a duo called Colony.

His contribution to local music is far from over. “The future is bright.

The future is futuristic right now,” he said with a laugh.

As soon as Carnival is over, Swappi said, he will release a track he did with Jamaican artiste, Patra and intends on touring and preparing for Carnival 2013.