Controversial Cro Cro, the sweetest Daddy

AT first glance of this page, one would most likely think this is just another one of those entertainment stories. Others might wonder just who are these people surrounding one of the most controversial entertainers on the face of the planet, and why would they want to anyway?! Well, to answer the many questions that could possibly arise, this is just a simple tribute to my father, Weston “Cro-Cro” Rawlins, on this very special day — Father’s Day!         

My father is known by many for his hard-hitting lyrics in the calypso arena, frank opinions and outright no-nonsense attitude. But, truth be told, underneath all the hard-core lyrics and outspokenness is not just an entertainer, but... a DADDY!!!! And although I hate to admit it, he’s the main reason why at 23 years old, I remain spoilt to the core — he always makes himself readily available to do just about anything and everything for me.

Not wanting to sound clich?, but Daddy is definitely a hero in my eyes. Not just mine, but in the eyes of each of his three children. I know for him that juggling nightlife in the entertainment industry and being both dedicated husband and father to all at home, have been far from easy. I remember night upon night I would ask Daddy to stay home and not go out to work, but he maintained that he had to get the job done to support his family. While I understand now why he did what he did when I was a child, my six-year-old sister, Kerise-Marie, still has difficulty in coming to terms with Daddy being away most of the time. “Daddy stay home nah!” she would whine. “Stay home and sleep with me tonight,” she would say. And, after putting her to sleep, he would practically sneak out and go on his way.

In his exuberance to be kind, he has found himself on the receiving end of conmen and once purchased bhagi which had too many holes to cook and also paid $10 for what turned out to be eight eggs, thinking he got a deal. During my teenage years, the boy factor was a major issue for Daddy to put up with, especially as I was the only girl at the time. So big an issue it was, my big brother Keen would make fun of me, saying that I’ll never get married because of how Daddy would carry on whenever guys entertained the slightest thought of coming near. One late-night male caller was to feel the wrath of Daddy’s tongue. Calling at 11 pm and asking to speak to me, Daddy didn’t even bother to check to see if I was still awake, but brusquely responded: “Khrystal is in her bed, shouldn’t you be in yours too?!” The embarrassing episode was related to me next day by Mummy. Like Mummy, Daddy is an education first activist. And whenever we succeeded, his words of encouragement to both my brother and myself would be: “Allyuh raise meh nose!”

Now that I’ve grown up, the opposite sex, although not a major problem, still exists as an issue, but now on the other side of the coin. Guys now are skeptical when they find out who my father is. It’s not something I advertise, but somehow they eventually find out and when they do, most of the times they back off. Guys have actually told me that they’re afraid my father would sing a calypso about them. But, truth be told, while Daddy will always be Daddy, and will forever have the mentality that he would kill for his children, he’s actually more calm now than he was before. (Thank God!) Working in the media for the past four years has been a tremendous experience for me, but being the daughter of one of the most “wanted” entertainers in the industry has been slightly challenging for me. It has also been difficult, as I’m still working on creating my own identity. Up to this day I would be walking down the road and hear “Cro-Cro daughter!!” Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a typical Daddy’s girl and extremely proud of my father for all that he has accomplished and all that he continues to do for our family. Like the old people say, “We like ring on finger,” but sometimes I feel like shouting to the top of my voice “I’ve got a name you know… it’s Khrystal Rawlins!”

Being 23 still hasn’t taken away my “Daddy’s little girl” syndrome. Moving out of my Dad’s house was not only difficult for my parents, but it was also very hard for me. So much so, that every opportunity we get, we try to see each other. As long as my Daddy is in Port-of-Spain, it’s a must that he’ll pass by the office to check up on me, bringing food that Mummy would have cooked. “You alright? How things going?” he would ask. Some of my friends have yet to understand why I run off to home in South every chance I get. “Down there so quiet and it doesn’t even have much to do,” they say. I reserve the comments and lengthy explanations because I know why. Being at home is like a whole other world for me. When the morning comes, Daddy cutting a coconut from the tree outside so you could get coconut water first thing in the morning. And don’t talk about when Mummy calls you to get out of bed and come downstairs to do God alone knows what!!! Daddy is the one who would stop her in her tracks and tell her to “let the child sleep,” and even come upstairs and pull the covers over you so you could sleep even better. (No hard feelings Mummy!).

After Mummy cooks a large meal on a Sunday, Daddy is the one who at three o’clock on a Monday morning is knocking on your door, bringing a plate of food in your room and waking you up to eat with him. Mummy too, gets up to partake in the not-so-fine-style dining. Let’s just say after having a hectic work week, home is the place I’d rather be. Sitting down with Daddy and Mummy, discussing issues that eventually turn into endless old talk and jokes. To answer a question that I’ve been asked on many occasions, no, I don’t help my father with writing his calypsos. What we do as a family, however, is bear with him when he gets his vibe early in the morning, usually during the wee hours, and sits composing and strumming on his guitar. This happens all the time, and when he’s done writing a verse, he again comes into our rooms, mine and my brother’s, flicks the lights on and says “hear this, hear this, hear this,” and starts serenading you with what he’s written so far. With your eyes not knowing where to focus because you are so sleepy, you still listen, you still muster up some bit of attention to hear Dad, because we’re all his biggest fans.

While I attribute my spiritual side, patience and level of understanding to my mother Glenda, I know that my confidence and strength is a trait gained from my father. His strong personality is what has made him as successful as he is, and has also kept our family together. His words of encouragement will forever be my guide. “Go for it, and never allow anyone to walk over you. There’s nobody better than you and you believe that. Once you believe, the only place to go is up,” he says to us all the time. While Keen and I have grown up, Daddy still hasn’t stopped being a daddy. As a matter of fact, just when the cup seemed almost empty, Daddy not only has to be father to my younger sister, but now play the role of grandfather, since the recent additions of my brother’s two boys to our usually small family. Now for Daddy, it’s all about taking Kerise-Marie to and from school and making sure that she and the boys have all they need.

While this day is reserved for and shared by all fathers throughout the world, I just feel extra lucky to have a daddy like mine. Daddy, from all of us at home, I say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being not only the backbone of our family but for being that livewire that continues to shine so very brightly. Thank you for the continued support you provide for all of us, and we just want you to know that having you in our lives is a blessing that we are ever so grateful for. We love you!