Ebuzz News
Archived: 3 Reasons Why Voice’s “Cheers to Life” Gave Us Life in 2016
The dust has finally settled. Trinidad and Tobago’s carnival is now over. Life goes on and Voice’s ‘Cheers to Life’ definitely plays on while carnival lovers settle back into the humdrum of life’s usual reality. The song won him the International Soca Monarch 2016 crown and with it, he captured the hearts of music lovers worldwide. But why did we love this song so much?! How did this groovy song have the power to sway all in its path in the face of the more powerful? Here’s what we think:
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His Voice
Aaron ‘Voice’ St. Louis captured the hearts of all within hit single, “Cheers To Life” in 2016.
Aaron St. Louis’ big debut for the Carnival 2016 season proved to everyone just how appropriate his sobriquet, ‘Voice’ is. His vocals on this track had the perfect mixture of sweet-honeyed smoothness and a necessary grit at the climax of the beat that jolted all listeners to start moving their bodies. His mellow yet zealous delivery bridged his groovy soca with elements of something a bit more powerful than the usual. Crowds of fetters and masqueraders effortlessly sang along to this Carnival favourite all season long. Maybe the balanced key of the song (neither too high nor too low) was to blame for it being such a popular sing-along. Whatever the reason, Voice’s voice had a big part to play in the success of this song.
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His Message
On the topic of balance, Cheers to Life was able to intertwine a purely positive message with the wine and jam essence of Carnival and Soca. He didn’t glorify alcohol, cheating, or promiscuity. He glorified life and the goodness of life in the land of Soca. We could whole-heartedly commit to loving this song and not be called a hypocrite. We weren’t singing our lungs out about wining on someone’s significant other when in reality we’d catch a fit if it happened to us. He was singing, and we were singing along to a song with a simple but effective message. A message that was long overdue in this dry and thirsty land. No pun intended.
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The Voice of the People
He has described the feeling following his Soca Monarch win as ‘indescribable.’
The reality is that we’ve all been victims of a daunting global reality for quite some time. We are bombarded with crime, corruption, racism, economic downturns, wars, diseases and unexplainable phenomena. As Trinbagonians, we have just emerged from a tempestuous time with the passing of one government into the next that brought so many deep-seated issues to the forefront of our social media pages. The people were practically crying out for positivity. We needed some message of hope, reassurance, and happiness since we’re not Trinbagonians without that. We didn’t want to hear about only living once or being called on our cellphones by exes, or being sorry (even though the Carnival DJs insisted we know that Justin Bieber was Sorry). We wanted someone to tell us that they are in our shoes and remind us that life is still good. After all, it had to be… that’s our culture.
SOCA MONARCH WINNING PERFORMANCE
EBUZZTT CONTRIBUTOR: Reianna Bharat
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Destra Delivers Powerfully at Reflections.
“If this sharing that I’m doing touches anyone, I’m truly grateful. None of us are perfect. Some days you’ll feel good, some days you won’t, but it’s all part of the journey. Sometimes what you’re looking for is right on the horizon, and the moment you give up, you miss it. If my testimony makes anyone feel something, then my work here is done.” – DESTRA GARCIA
Trinidad and Tobago received a musical showcase of spiritual awakening yet again this past Saturday, at Destra’s ‘Reflections: Sound. Spirit. Surrender.” The event took place at Queen’s Hall, St. Ann’s and proved to be a truly inspiring and uplifting musical experience.
From the onset, the show set a standard that fans of good music with powerful lyrics, would rave about for weeks. David Rudder – a cultural icon of Calypso music out of Trinidad and Tobago, welcomed the audience as he hit the stage first delivering the very fitting, ‘High Mas.’ It was a powerful blessing no doubt – something that would lead into a seamless spiritual production. He was subsequently joined on stage by Destra, something that created a full-circle moment that drew immediate emotion from the audience.
Known for her unmistakeable vocal ability, Destra took her audience on a carefully curated musical journey, opening her set with Free Again before transitioning into slowed-down, soul-stirring renditions of some of her most beloved songs, including Love Somebody and Fly and with each performance, she revealed a different layer of her artistry, offering vulnerability, reflection, and strength.
One of the night’s most touching highlights came as Garcia shared the stage with her daughter, Xaiya, for a heartfelt duet of The Prayer. Beginning at the piano, Xaiya gently set the tone before joining her mother in song, creating an intimate moment that resonated deeply with the audience.
The production, which was creatively directed by Zara Bartels and Isoke Edwards, also showcased the incredible talent of father and son pan duo Martin and De’jean Cain as well as the Maria Regina Grade School and St. Joseph’s Convent Port- of- Spain choirs, whose vibrant and polished performances brought a refreshing, youthful energy to the stage. Gospel artiste, Nisa joined Garcia for a powerful duet of Bridge Over Troubled Water. She also performed her original composition Make Me Over, adding another layer of spiritual depth to the evening.
As the show built toward its finale, Garcia delivered a commanding rendition of Ella Andall’s Bring Down the Power, followed by classic hymns including A Little More Oil in My Lamp. This climactic segment was elevated by the presence of traditional belle dancers and African drummers, creating a rich, cultural fusion that brought the audience to its feet. Beyond the performances, the overall production, brought to life through Bridgette Wilson’s choreography and Atiba Borde’s costuming, stood out for its seamless execution, immersive ambience, and thoughtful storytelling, reinforcing Reflections as more than just a concert, but a transformative experience.
Reflections certainly delivered a powerful blend of music, filled with deep messages and meaning. In what is a very spiritual season, Destra, through the delivery of ‘Reflections,’ has carved out a space for inspiration and connection within Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural landscape – something that many would agree, is a necessity more than an option.