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 Bar Is Being Set. Flowers All Inclusive to Up The Game in Point Fortin, This Weekend.
It’s a brand new concept being brought to life, in Point Fortin, however its impact, according to organizers, is already proving immense. The annual Point Fortin Borough celebrations, culminates this weekend and on Sunday, an event with a bigger purpose at heart, is anticipated to draw a massive crowd to fete, for the greater good.
Naya George and Anson George spoke exclusively with Ebuzztt.com ahead of the all inclusive experience. They’re excited to see their vision come to life. Anson, a well known name on the carnival and entertainment circuit, is known for his strong involvement in the BeachHouse Carnival brand. “It’s going to be on par with BeachHouse,” he assured, asserting ‘Flowers’ as the new ‘must attend’ fete in Borough Day festivities. “There are other events happening on Sunday in Point Fortin but there’s no other event of this caliber, happening,” said Anson, explaining that a few tickets are still available for those who still want to get in.
For Naya, the effort is less about business, and more about purpose. “We are partying with a purpose. We want to let people know that this isn’t just about feting. This is the only party that’s happening in Point Fortin that’s giving back to Point Fortin,” he explained, adding that proceeds will go toward investment in the young people. “The first set of projects will be at the Point Fortin West Secondary School where the event is being held. We are going to revitalize the sports programme, playing field restoration, sporting equipment and that kind of stuff, to ensure the youths have a place to find themselves in the area of sports. Flowers is the premiere fund raiser to do these things,” said George.
Set to welcome fete lovers from 5pm on Sunday at the Point Fortin West Secondary School, Flowers will feature a cast of talented artistes, inclusive of Nadia Batson and Lyrikal. “We want to raise fund in style and with high quality at heart, hence the reason the event’s caliber is high. This is going to be a first for Point Fortin,” said Naya George.
The Point Fortin Borough experience is widely attended, with a series of cultural events leading up to the weekend of excitement that is anticipated by locals and visitors alike, each year. “Flowers has set the tone for the Borough Day evolution I think,” said Naya George. “Fusion came to an end last night,” noted Anson. He said the cultural extravaganza, which was similar to Carnival’s Flava Village, was a huge success and noted the wide variety of cultural traditions, shared between April 25th and April 30th. “If people can jump on a plane to experience Grenada carnival, we are certain they can come from West and North Trinidad to enjoy the Point Fortin Borough activities,” said Anson, making it clear that ahead of the upcoming weekend, hotel and guest house occupancy is already high.
“Borough is like a second carnival,” said Anson. He said there are fetes happening throughout the day on Friday. “When you come, you get a taste of everything you get in carnival. You get the fetes, the all inclusive, the jouvert, the street food, the culture,” he highlighted, and this year, for the very first time, fans of culture, creativity and altruism, will fete with purpose at Flowers – a distinct, top tier, premium all inclusive experience in the heart of the borough.
Tickets for the event are available online at Stacy’s House Of Hair – Point Fortin, Atherley’s By The Park – San Fernando, Terminal 4 – Long Circular Mall and online at theticketgeneral.com.
Caribbean Buzz
Caribbean Youths Zealously Welcome American Streamer, IShowSPEED.
