Anslem Douglas wins Black Canadian Award

Douglas, songwriter of the internationally-acclaimed and Grammy Award-winning hit “Who Let The Dogs Out?” beat out five other nominees — Ammoye, Jahsmin Daley, Shalli, Soca Emperor and Ms Paige — to win the award.

The Black Canadian Awards 2014 ceremony that took place in front of a packed crowd at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto, Canada on June 7, once again celebrated and showcased the achievements of Black Canadian artistes, trailblazers and leaders within the Canadian community.

It was reportedly not just a music awards show, since the programme included many honorees from all walks of life in the Black community in Canada, including fashion and business.

Douglas, who had been living in Canada for decades before recently returning to his homeland to live, told Newsday he was unaware when he was announced as the winner.

He said, “I was back stage waiting to be called on to perform, so I was out of suit and into jeans to get on stage. The monitor back stage was a bit soft and with all the chatting and laughter going on, I never heard when my name was called. Apparently my name was called several times until someone said you’re on so I was about to run on stage when I heard ‘You won an award’.”

So what did he do when he hit the stage? He said, “As an entertainer people would think that you are accustomed to being on stage and talking to crowds but it is so much easier to grab a microphone and sing to any number of people than it is to stand and talk to them. I went on stage, and my acceptance speech was very simple. I gave God thanks for the gift of music, I thanked my team who has been working with me behind the scene tirelessly, I also thanked the promoters of the show and last but not least, my fans who voted for me on my facebook page and website.”

On winning the award itself Douglas, who turns 50 next month said, “I felt like I had broken a barrier, like I had once again taken my career and soca music to another level.”

Douglas will most be remembered for his massive internationally-acclaimed hit “Who Let The Dogs Out” that went on to win a Grammy Award in 2000, after being popularised by The Baha Men, though it was composed back in 1998.

Having been asked to close the show Douglas said, “Well I had to do my international signature song “Who Let The Dogs Out” regardless of what (songs) I may have new, and I have to sing “When Ah Dead Bury Meh Clothes”, so I guess I have two signature songs. They were well received by the audience. It felt good representing Trinidad andTobago and soca music on an international stage.”

Now that winning the award has sunk in, Douglas says, “I know to whom much is give much is required, so it’s all about working harder at my craft to continue to give good music to the world. After all it’s the world we are making music for.”