Ebuzz News
The Queen Rises. Denise Saucy ‘Wow’ Belfon Tells It All.
Three years ago, the Caribbean’s wining queen, Trinidad and Tobago’s, Denise ‘Saucy Wow’ Belfon, took up residence in the United States. She boarded a plane, prepared to work hard, to better herself in the music industry. She had not foreseen a pandemic.
In an EXCLUSIVE interview with Ebuzztt, Denise admitted to the tumultuous experience she’s had in the past three years, but in the same breath, says she’s grateful for it all. “Being out here taught me how to get my life in order,” she told us, further highlighting, among other things, the shortcomings of the Copyright Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago.
WHO IS DENISE SAUCY WOW BELFON
Denise started a career in the soca music industry 26 years ago. Her first solo recording was the soca single “Ka Ka Lay Lay”, this after having been discovered by the bandleader of the Roy Cape band in 1990. She has record countless hits, among them, “Hard Wuk”, “De Jammette”, “Saucy Baby”, and “Indian Man.” She’s even delivered alongside fellow female Caribbean artistes, Destra Garcia and Alison Hinds on the track, “Obsessive Winers,” a song and stage performance loved the world over. song and stage performance loved the world over.
Known for her incredible, and some would say, truly unrivalled wining skills and blatantly unapologetic stage shows, Saucy’s name has been branded solidly among the female greats in Caribbean culture. Three years ago, she turned to the United States, ready to pursue more, even committing to a 500 city tour across the US, Europe, parts of Africa and Canada, just prior to the pandemic. “It was so sad to see how the world was impacted overnight. One minute everybody was living their lives as normal and the next minute we were locked down and we didn’t know what the hell to do,” she said.
Thankful for the support of good friends in the US- people like King Royal, Big Skipp, Patch, DJ Princess Young Chow, DJ Spice, DJ Young Chow, Askel Redsquare and her children, Denise admits it’s been no easy ride, but she has assumed a position of assertive power and proudly attests to some major accomplishments in recent time. “I must say thank you to the people who stood in my corner when things were going haywire in my life,” she said as we kicked off the interview. Gratitude in her heart, she quickly checked herself and said, “I can’t forget Iwer George. He has stood in my corner for as long as I can remember and always has my back, fighting the battles that I sometimes don’t see when people try to tear me down.”
Her relationship with Big Skipp – a mainstream DJ who works at New York’s urban radio station HOT97, has led to interactions with young Hip Hop artistes like Capella Grey who has been signed to Capitol Records, Young Devyn, Mr. Chicken and others, and for Denise, the ‘newness’ of the energy, as she calls it, is exhilarating. “It’s a good vibe rubbing shoulders at this time with these young greats. They do Hip Hop and me being a Soca artiste, it’s a good feeling to be around newness. I’m getting a lot of inspiration hanging around them and doing a lot of things with them. We are not working together per say but we have the mutual person with us, which is Big Skipp.“
The new energy Denise describes transcends mere interactions and networks. Outside of Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean, Saucy’s eyes have opened to the business of her worth. “America is a place that can open your eyes quickly. I’ve had to learn fast. Music royalties I had been missing out on internationally, I have been able to collect and sustain myself during this period. Not knocking COTT, but the type of money you would make out here where your royalties are concerned, I have no idea what COTT has been doing over the years,” she said.
The former model and best village dancer has certainly seen the light and is doing all that is necessary to secure the bag as she moves forward. “I had money pending worldwide for the past 15 years. I have like 47 songs pending at the moment,” she explained, encouraging her fellow artistes to do what is necessary to secure their music royalties.
Caribbean Buzz
$1 Million Up for Grabs In New Ultimate Soca Champions Competition.
Trinidad and Tobago is set to stage a revamped International Soca Monarch competition in what is now dubbed The Ultimate Soca Champion competition. The event’s final will be staged on Thursday, February 20th, with the semi final round set for Sunday, February 9th. The announcement was made earlier today by organisers, at a media conference held at Queen’s Hall, Port of Spain.
The organisers said the competition will not be split into Groovy/Power categories, however they said there will be special prizes for Best Groovy Soca, Best Power Soca and People’s Champion, based on public votes.
The event will feature the Ultimate Soca Champion reality TV show which organizers say is aimed at giving viewers an intimate look into the competition. “We believe this will help our culture to reach international audiences when packaged properly,” the team said.
In-Person Auditions will take place on Saturday, January 25th, 2025 at 9:00 AM at the Fernando Academy of the Performing Arts (SAPA). Regional/ International Artistes who are not in Trinidad and Tobago, are required to submit video auditions from January 20th at 8:00am to January 26th at 11:59pm.
“We aim to make this a production that captivates
audiences worldwide,” said Rome. “The Ultimate Soca Champion Competition will not only
elevate soca to international standards but also inspire the next generation of artistes.”
For registration, submission guidelines, and updates, visit ultimatesocachampion.com from Monday January 20th, or email ultimatesocachampion@gmail.com.
Music News
Problem Child, Bunji Garlin, Skinny Fabulous Ride New ‘Powerful’ Riddim. 47 Productions Eyes Road March.
There’s another big project coming out of Dwayne Bravo’s 47 Productions in Port-of-Spain, and just like the Pineapple Riddim last month, it features some big names in Soca music.
The Viking of Soca, Bunji Garlin, Grenada’s Skinny Banton, Skinny Fabulous and Problem Child- both St. Vincent and the Grenadines entertainers, grace the ‘Powerful Riddim’- described as a heart-pounding, adrenaline-packed Power Soca riddim that’s guaranteed to light up every fete the season, even with potential for the Road March.
Bunji Garlin deliver’s ‘On De Go’ – a high-octane single that celebrates vibes and undiluted energy, while on Skinny Fabulous’ ‘Like We Rich,’ elements of a grandeur lifestyle, inclusive of living large, partying hard and embracing the high life, are showcased in song. The Vincy BadBoy, Problem Child is also a part of this project with a track called, “Not Behaving,’ undeniably living up to his name. Other artistes on the riddim are Grenadian duo, Lil Natty and Thunda who share their energy with, ‘Wah Dis,” and skinny Banton with ‘Property.” Tommy Sanchez wraps it up, adding a fresh, new vibe with his single, ‘Bend.’
The riddim is being touted as the ultimate soundtrack for the road on Carnival Monday and Tuesday and comes just as Soca megastar, Machel Montano has released, ‘Pardy,’ already getting the nod of approval from die-hard Machel fans.
While the race to the annual Road March anthem of choice in still quite a distance away, several people have already begun the conversation about what’s best for the road. Mical Teja’s ‘Energy’ and ‘Higher Power’ offer masqueraders an infectious, positive energy for the road, while Bunji’s ‘Thousand’ hits hard, delivering high impact and bassy undercurrent that’s hard to ignore.
47 Productions has been strongly contending on the music scene in Trinidad and Tobago in recent years. This year’s Pineapple Riddim, which features, Machel Montano, Lyrikal, Patrice Roberts, Rupee and 47Ronzy, has been well received, with Machel Montano applauding Bravo’s consistency, even as someone invested behind the music scene. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this Carnival season while 47 Productions continues to create space for others to rise,” Bravo had said, at the launch of the riddim in December.
The “Powerful Riddim” is now available on all major streaming platforms.
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Music News1 week agoThe Power of People. Rae Credits Motto, Darryl Gervais for Her Rise in Soca. Delivers ‘Throw Waist.’
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Caribbean Buzz5 days ago$1 Million Up for Grabs In New Ultimate Soca Champions Competition.
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Music News5 days agoProblem Child, Bunji Garlin, Skinny Fabulous Ride New ‘Powerful’ Riddim. 47 Productions Eyes Road March.