Caribbean Buzz
Archived: Problem Child is Winning and The Soca World is Watching. Artist Expresses Curiosity!
He’s one of the Caribbean’s most humble talents but ahead of the Carnival season in Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent born songwriter and artist, Problem Child is prepared to show the world just what he’s got, recently explaining to EBUZZTT exclusively that he’s got a very smart strategy that he cannot reveal just yet, but one that will certainly be recognised as time rolls on. Today, the singer celebrates his birthday.
Problem Child was one of the Soca artistes aboard the Soca on the Seas cruise in October.
We met up with Problem aboard the Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas in October. He was a part of the contingent hired by the Soca On The Seas team to deliver Soca music on their first ever Afro Soca cruise to the Bahamas. He did not fail to execute. In fact, Problem Child was among the artistes who represented with a level of pride that proved to us that Soca is definitely in good hands. The artist has released two major anthems heading into Carnival 2019 with plans to possibly unleash a few more. He recorded with production powerhouse, Precision Productions recently, a project that also saw him pen lyrics for a song delivered by Patrice Roberts who he refers to as his sister.
In our chat, Problem revealed that it was Patrice, who gave him the opportunity he needed. Together, they unleashed a song called, “A Little Wine” and since that time, he has written a lot more anthems for Roberts and other artistes, including Shal Marshall.
In 2018, Problem Child’s name began calling in Trinidad and Tobago. It wasn’t the first time but there certainly was some level of attention being paid to the artist. He had written all three tracks, including his own on the 2AM Project. He said he’d made the conscious decision to release the single done by Patrice and Kees first, telling EBUZZTT that he studies people’s behaviour and knew it would create a stir. Next up, he worked with Shal on ‘Splinters’ a song that essentially caused mayhem on the soca scene. “Shal is a natural born competitor, so there was no doubt in my mind that he was going to execute that song,” said Problem. His song came later. ‘Middle of Something’ was released in the aftermath of the success of both Kees and Patrice’s ‘Like it Like That’ and Shal’s ‘Splinters’ and according to Problem, what he piggybacked on was the fact that he knew his name would be credited for the songwriting of the other two singles. He said he knew people would then become curious to hear the third track and so it proved effective. All three songs on the 2AM project were on consistent rotation throughout T&T’s carnival 2018 season and even thereafter.
Problem Child is a prolific Soca songwriter. He wrote Shal Marshal’s hit single ‘Splinters’.
A seafood lover, the very health conscious artist told EBUZZTT that he’s curious to see what will happen in 2019. “I’m not anticipating anything really. I’m just very curious.” He knows his two tracks, “Good Up, Good Up” and “Love De Road” are doing well, and he has since released another- a song called “Whole Heart” on the 10X Over riddim. He also has other projects in the pipeline, some involving music that he is personally involved in and others that he is not. Amid that, Problem is set to deliver his first album- a volume of work he’ll call, “Problem is A Problem.”
Proud to be a part of the Soca music fraternity, the entertainer told EBUZZTT that he feels the genre is doing very well.
“I think it’s growth has a lot to do with social media where we are not depending on certain people to take it to where it needs to go. If you have talent and your work is properly put together and showcased via social media, now you stand a better chance. “
On the topic of soca music’s rotation at Carnival particularly, the ‘Party Animal’ singer said he feels it for programme directors, lamenting that the seasonality of the genre has its downside. He said each year he releases approximately nine tracks for St. Vincent’s carnival and he has just as much for Trinidad and Tobago carnival. He, however, says he understands that many of those songs simply cannot receive the rotation he’d like, no matter how good they may be. He plans on releasing at least two more songs for Trinidad and Tobago’s 2019 season and says he is curious to see what will take place then.
Problem Child is a huge fan of his country’s authentic Carnival vibe.
St. Vincent his homeland, the social media stunner who keeps his female fans intrigued with some of the most exotic looking photos, told us St. Vincent’s carnival is as authentic a carnival, as there could be. “It’s a lot less commercial than T&T’s carnival and there is a lot of vibes in Vincy carnival. It almost looks like a riot,” he said laughing. “Nobody ever gets hurt though,” he said almost immediately. The artist explained that much of the energy and enthusiasm experienced in St. Vincent at carnival time is probably owed to the humility of the people, explaining that the partygoers are not able to dress and ball out with bottles like the people in Trinidad and Tobago do, so what they do is party hard. He says Grenada’s carnival closely mirrors St. Vincent’s, telling us, “There are some semi stush events, but if the right people get into the event, it can escalate quickly.”
Here are 3 things you may not have known about Problem Child:
- He’s left-handed.
- He doesn’t live in St. Vincent. He lives in New York and he’s lived there since before he sang “Party Animal.”
- He hasn’t missed St. Vincent’s Carnival since 2005.
Problem visits Trinidad and Tobago in November when he will do his promotional run ahead of Carnival 2019. Join us in wishing him good health, strength and happiness as he celebrates another year of life, today.
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Caribbean Buzz
The International Soca Monarch Will Return in 2027. Trinidad and Tobago Takes on the World. Wadicks Weighs In.
The ground has been calling for it – the return of the International Soca Monarch competition in Trinidad and Tobago. Now there’s news that the the competition will return in Carnival 2027 under the theme, Trinidad and Tobago vs The World.
One artiste, true to the authenticity of the culture, says it’s great news. Ebuzztt caught up with Wadicks earlier on Friday, just after the news broke. “This is something very good for artistes to test themselves – to see how best they are in representing the country when it comes to Soca music. It’s good for people to gauge themselves against their cohorts and it’s been a while since artistes have been able to really do that,” he said.
The competition’s official date is yet to be revealed, however if tradition is marinated, it will be held on Friday, February 5th. Scorch Limited and Scorch Events will produce the show. “For 2027, the competition returns with a bold, international dimension, placing Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca talent against artistes from around the world in a celebration of the genre’s growing global reach,” said a media statement issued. Details surrounding venue and participation requirements will be forthcoming.
For Wadicks and many other Soca artistes who occupy the space, the music delivered ahead of the competition is of dire importance. “I will jump in once the people gravitate to the music. The people must not be wondering what song this artiste is singing when they hit the stage in the competition. You don’t want to enter with a song the people don’t know,” he emphasized.
In the early years of the international Soca Monarch competition, under the stewardship of Mr. William Munroe, the International Soca Monarch was a monument in Carnival. Radio stations were heavily engaged and money spent on major advertising campaigns that saw emerging and seasoned artistes interviewed and their music placed on intentional rotation as a result of paid advertising. Whether this approach will be taken, as the effort to re-establish the solidity of Trinidad and Tobago in this area gets underway, is left to be seen. “No matter what, it starts with the people. Once the people accept the event and come out to enjoy it… but the marketing of the event is very important too. It’s a huge undertaking and if Scorch can get the people who come to their events and all the other people who love the culture, that would be fantastic to get T&T back to where it once was when it comes to the ISM,” said Wadicks. He has one song already bubbling ahead of Carnival 2027 and plans to release a second next week. “I have ‘Thickerz’ out already and I’m releasing a rum tune next week,” said the artiste cheerfully. He’s never in a bad mood.
With Grenada’s Soca Monarch now leading as the poster child of what Soca Monarch should look and feel like, Wadicks says he thinks the Spice Isle does a great job of showing the world just what true enjoyment of the music looks like. “They have no fashion statement – Grenada has no respect for clothes as compared to Trinidad where it’s more about fashion than enjoyment. In Grenada you could come out in any colour and after the party, patrons leaving dirty and sweaty, having had a time,” he said with a laugh.
Prize monies a major factor when it comes to competitions in Trinidad and Tobago, Wadicks says he doesn’t believe this should be the defining factor in any artiste’s decision to enter the competition. “The Soca Monarch brings out the best in an artiste when it comes to interacting with the people and getting the people to accept the challenge of a command. Artistes have to be able to move the crowd ; Besides being strong vocally, their ability to command the crowd must be on point,” he highlighted, adding, “We as the representatives of the culture should be pushing to bring back the Soca Monarch to where it was, but of course, not everybody will think like me.”
On the tempo of the Soca that’s required for big flag crews and real mayhem to return to big venues in T&T, Wadicks agrees that the sweetness that’s currently trending must subside. “Once the tempo starts to escalate things will get better. ‘De t’ing too sweet, especially for a short season,” he said frankly.
The Scorch team at the helm of the 2027 production says this production will have “no backroom and no bacchanal,” with an expert panel of music industry experts, cultural commentators and soca veterans scoring creativity, lyrics, stage presence, overall impact and a specially introduced aspect – the Sparrow Tribute. “The Mighty Sparrow belonged to both sides of this battle, so every finalist – home side and away side must pay tribute to the Calypso King of the World somewhere in their Fantastic Friday presentation,” explains an accompanying ISM27 deck issued to the media.
The word is out and the people have gotten exactly what they’ve been asking for. What’s left to see now is just who supports with cultural passion and pride at the forefront, and who chooses not to.
Caribbean Buzz
A Caribbean Icon Has Passed. The Mighty Sparrow Leaves Behind a Mighty Legacy. Machel, Shurwayne Reflect.
On the heels of his passing, the Caribbean community immediately drew for the memories of his heyday, but for those who knew him best, moments shared intimately with The Mighty Sparrow through musical interaction and opportunities presented, will continue to be a solemn reminder of the human being that he was.
Soca King, Machel Montano recalls the opportunities given to him by the legendary entertainer. Sparrow’s timeless hits will live on and for Machel and many other artistes, his death at the age of 91, is a very real reminder of life’s impermanence. “I am flooded with emotions of every kind but most of all, I am filled with joyful memories of moments I’ve shared, lessons I’ve learnt, and music that shaped my very being,” said Montano. In 2008, the pair had collaborated to re-create Sparrow’s classic hit, ‘Congo Man.’ It was certainly a collaboration that will live in Machel’s heart forever.
More than seven decades of service to the culture of Trinidad and Tobago, The Mighty Sparrow’s legacy includes honors received from the country he was adopted by from a very young age. He had been awarded the Hummingbird Medal Silver in 1969, the Chaconia Medal Gold in 1993 and the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in 2014, for his inimitable contribution to one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most enduring musical art forms, Calypso.
Shurwayne Winchester, in paying tribute to the icon, said, “In every lifetime, your presence would be needed, your music would be essential, your wit and personality required, because you, Mighty, Mighty Sparrow, were a gift to us all.” Shurwayne was one of the last artistes to collaborate with the legendary Calypsonian. The song is called, “My Island Girl,” released in 2023.
Mentored and loved by the Mighty Sparrow throughout her career, Natasha Wilson shared that her heart is saddened and announced that he had taken his last breath at 2:22pm on September 27th. “Dr. Slinger Francisco, the Calypso King of the World has passed,” she said in a Facebook live video. She asked for time on behalf of the family, to process the death of the man many considered the greatest Calypsonian who ever lived.
The Mighty Sparrow was born in Grand Roy, Grenada in 1935. His family migrated to Trinidad and Tobago less than two years later. In 1956, his career started with the hit single, ‘Jean and Dinah.’ It may have been his most famous song, but it would be only one of many, many incredibly well-constructed Calypso singles. Kees Dieffenthaller, in paying tribute, said The Mighty Sparrow was “the blueprint.” Internationally acclaimed songwriter and vocalist, Angela Hunte also shared, “My Sundays will always be filled with your voice in my house.”
From Barbados to Jamaica, his birthplace, Grenada, Guyana, the United States, the UK and at home in Trinidad and Tobago, the loss of Slinger Francisco – The Mighty Sparrow, is felt. Guyana’s President, Irfan Ali said, “He brought recognition to our Caribbean civilization. His melodies and lyrics sailed far beyond the region’s shores,” adding, “Sparrow lifted calypso from mere entertainment into an art form.” The Honorable, Mia Mottley also shared sentiments of deep appreciation and adoration for the Birdie, as he was fondly called, writing, “Calypso gave the ordinary Calypsonian a voice. Sparrow carried it to the world with incomparable genius. Born in Grenada and raised in Trinidad, he belonged to all of us.” She called on Caribbean adults to, “let our children hear him. Let them know that this brilliance came from among us.”
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