Ebuzz News
Vincy Soca Champ, Problem Child Just Gave New Artistes The Best Advice.
He’s a hit maker in every sense of the term. Problem Child has conquered the industry in a very intentional way. His rise to being a top-tier Caribbean entertainer didn’t happen overnight but he’s maintained a sort of understated appeal in the business that’s comparable to no one else. This year, when the curtains fell on Vincy Mas, Problem was once again the champion of the Road – securing not just the Road March title but also the competition’s second place.
Two songs, ‘Fraid Horn’ and ‘Pong Pong’ delivered an ease and relatability that all of SVG and those visiting for Vincy Mas, embraced and enjoyed. “Winning the Road March title is definitely a blessing. It’s definitely based on a lot of hard work,” he told Ebuzztt in the aftermath of the win, announced on Wednesday. “A lot of ground work and thinking, sometimes over-thinking, strategizing, went into it, especially after winning last year,” he explained. “First and second place… I think that came about because I saw people commenting that Problem Child was competing with himself for Vincy Mas, but that’s generally really my theory on how life should go,” said the entertainer.
For Problem Child, success is personal, and growth over time is influenced by how he challenges himself at each opportunity. “I don’t look at what anyone else is really doing and try to do better than them. I just try to do better than I did yesterday – try to make the tomorrow me, better than the today me and the today me better than the yesterday me, whether it’s music or life in general.”
KICK THE EGO AND LEARN TO LEARN.
A music industry that’s now a Caribbean-wide space, fueled by a significant number of global carnivals, Problem understands oh to well, the trials faced by artistes on the rise. Many have lamented the lack of opportunity, as new voices, to be given a chance in the space. “All the new artistes entering the soca space, or the music space – I think one of the most important things, if not the most important thing I can advise is, always be willing to learn,” he said. Highlighting the importance of observing and absorbing, Problem, whose real name is Shertz James, said new artistes must be willing to listen to and take advice from the right people. “Even in taking advice, you have to know who to take advice from because some people won’t always have advice that’s coming from a great place.”
Deeper thought given to the question, Problem urged up and comers to learn how to learn. “Wanting to learn is one thing but you have to understand that ego sometimes gets in the way of learning because you might not always want to listen to somebody because you feel you may know but you have to understand that no one is going to know everything so you have to start learning how to decipher – ok maybe I should listen to this guy because x,y,z reason,” he rationalized.
For creatives like the Vincy Bad Boy, time and experience have taught tremendous lessons. “Learning is such a great thing – the willingness to learn. It’s a challenge because you have to also understand that you can learn from anybody – not just someone with a degree in something, but figuring out who, what, when, how is the hardest part of learning, even when you’re willing to learn,” he said.
Standing humble and successful, the artiste who has written for himself and many others in the industry, continues to look forward, eager to learn more and rise to his full potential as an artiste. “Once you’re willing to learn and you’re willing to accept and learn how to learn you can only advance and get better at what you do. A big part of that is not having any ego. Once you couple a willingness to learn, a strong drive and a never -give -up, attitude, you’re only gonna get better. That’s the only advice that I can offer and I dare to say that it will work.”
Music News
As He Drops ‘Take Care,’ Mr. Lee Says Men and Women Must Communicate Better for Strong Relationships.
The time has come for good vibes to counteract all negative energy and together with his manager/producer, US based, Trinidadian artiste, Mr. Lee it doing what he feels he can, to inject that positivity. “I know the streets. I can tell you about the streets. Badness and the roughness is what they know. If they got the chance to get to know something else, they would do something else,” said the entertainer.
His music is refreshing. Afrobeats, coupled with Soul and RnB bring to life, a song on The Only 1 Riddim, that he calls, “Take Care.” For Mr. Lee, an artiste with many years of experience on the entertainment circuit overseas, and in the Caribbean, he is mindful of what he sings. “This type of music is necessary at all times to spread love and joy. I wish there could have been more beautiful messages all the time because it’s really important to spread love,” he said with hope.
Joining artistes like Preedy and Christo on the riddim, Mr. Lee is proud of the project. “This project means a whole lot to me. I have two girls and my wife and I have to express my love to them every single day of my life. I have my mom, my sisters, and I have to show them all the love I have within me. All the artistes on this riddim have done the same – we all expressed what we want to express to our loved ones. Most are real stories that can be relatable to others in society,” he explained.
On the topic of love and the importance of understanding what love is, Mr. Lee said for human beings to share love, they must first feel love. “If your father is not showing you love, how will you know love. Most of our youths have no parents around them. They are being influenced by a harsh representation of love, which really, is not love.” At the same time, he called on the elders within societies around the world, to try to strike a balance with the youth, especially in present time. “When I was growing up, the older heads never wanted to release a lot to the youths; they never wanted to give the youths a chance. People in positions of power must give the youths a chance to prove themselves. They have great ideas, but they need mentorship and guidance,” he said.
“Take Care,” written by Joseph ‘Pronto’ Figueroa, is a quality single with a passionate plea for more honest, kind, loving relational experiences. Unlike much of today’s lyrics, Mr. Lee keeps it classy, maintaining a thoughtful approach to music, with lyrics that penetrate. “The raw thoughts – we never heard that as youths. Some things should be kept personal,” he opined. An advocate for goodness, Mr. Lee is calling on men around the world to show their companions more love, in the right way. “Everybody wants to fight and kill. They don’t want to talk about things properly. We need to talk to our spouses more. We need to learn how to communicate better and spend more time with our loved ones.”
Happy to have enjoyed a successful run in Carnival 2026, in Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Lee is working on new music even as he promotes this brand-new track. “I’m working on new Soca to release for the Summer. I’m working, and I’m happy with the progress I’ve been able to make so far. It’s a process,” he said of being in the music business.
The state-to-state carnival wave set to begin in the US soon, Mr. Lee says this year he is looking forward to heading to Miami for Carnival there and will be back home in T&T, come Carnival 2027. In the meantime, the T&T native and dedicated family man is spreading love through good music that he knows is absolutely necessary at this time.
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