Dear Editor,
Please allow me some space in your newspaper to address all artist/musicians and so-called artist/musicians.
As calypsonians, soca artists and musicians we are to be discipline to the core for we set an image to the general public as professionals, especially those with experience need not to be educated where this is concern, but is seems we all need an intense refresher now and then so we can stay focus and on track to these facts.
Note: I’m in this artistry for two decades and a half and counting, in the course of my experience I have learned that respect is key to discipline, we are to appreciate the little things God blessed us with and stop trying to cry down another brother from getting his blessings for the devil never wins!
Few days now, after the Soca Rumble result we have a so-called professional
artists/musician taking matters out of proportion going up on Facebook and posting senseless posts with misspelled words worse than when a non-English person is learning to speak English with the entire post out of context, and is a case of contradiction within their false information (learn to write and spell before you try to criticize another brother).
Nevertheless, this act is unacceptable and epitomizes illiteracy. which reminds me of the calypso by Alana Khan - Moron & Oxymoron; acts of such make a jackass intelligent in comparison to humans, you can’t go a disrespecting the groovy Soca King Timo and Power Soca Rickie-Fox, much less our Calypso Monarch Fish Da Mega Boss Alberto Arrindell, down to myself a veteran and respectable composer a master of the art as that.
Then Big-Money Rey /X-Rey quote: As you are fully aware so-called Dr. of music, whether you like it or not we are name-brand artists and you are a no-frill artist. Therefore, show respect to the masters, learn to be humble and count your blessings and stop crying like a “Drag Queen B*tch!” because at the end of the day it isn’t worth it. You only depreciating your own image and self-respect, which shows clearly not all humans have it, they rather embrace the image of a damn fool.
In saying this, I must let my fans and critics know when I divert from where I go to produce my music, after teaching a few producers what I know and I learning what they know, that is because I’m striving for higher heights and aiming for best. Because of course in life we all need one another and learn from each other, it’s the heart of life for a man who knows what it takes to be at his very best. Some of us ignore this principle and give ourselves self-praise; that doesn’t count and it never will.
I am indeed thankful to make one of the segments of the Soca Rumble even though I didn’t make one, and I always believe what’s not for me is not for me. I cherish it as a blessing to a next man which we are to share the bread, and as always I respect the credential chosen judges as they see it, they know what they are looking for to maintain a certain standard of this show which Grisha Marten has put together for us to shine, God bless her soul. They may have a hard decision yes, but we all need to give others a chance at times.
So, when a man chooses to blow his own horn he is living in a lost world of fantasy telling himself he is the best musician in the world/SXM, but I quote as a realist to be the best you have to beat the best on the soil of St. Martin/St. Maarten Island, and to do that as a musician you have to go through Terror, Mr. Stutter Nic, Lega-c Rey/Gotkin, Skellet of Red Eye Crew, Youth Waves Neville James/ Fats Funk Gumbs Sr. and many more who are in high standard before you can even get a place on the first step at pro level.
I have composed for many and don’t brag about that; not only on St. Maarten, but many artists on the island of Anguilla, St. Vincent and the Grenadine, and now Grenada yet I remain humble for I will be one day great. My old-school-retro style that has you furious and senile, the music was produce by my good friend a calypsonian again, a true master of the art Richie Buntin, and trumpet by Steven Brown and trombone Neville James horns arrangement by me, myself and I, His Majesty Baker Jr. and composed by me as well. It was mixed and mastered by Neville James, and my boy Big-Money Rey was produce in Guadeloupe, which outshines the so-called musician songs that failed to make it in the soca rumble line-up and mix and master by his song Gotkin AKA Lega-c Rey-C a young maestro.
In closing, I must let you know any calypsonian can master the art of soca 10 times better than an artist that only do soca, for the simple fact Calypso is much more dynamic for the limited human intelligence such as yours, and Calypso is the mother of Soca, always remember that.
Below is a little education where calypso came from that created soca – Calypso is the living document of our nation’s history and development.
Calypso is the chronicle of human civilization in song. In this regard, it has been both a chronicle of the past and a form of positive. The calypsonian, the music maker, is portrayed as an agent of resistance, affirmation, he argues that among other things music “serves as a record of a civilization or is rooted in this resistance against inhumanity and the quest for humanity.
Calypso is the voice of our people as we claim our space in the world
Calypso is the editorial in song of the life we live; through calypso our history unfolds by calypso our stories are told, what the media fear to highlight reveal because of bribery calypso will appeal and expose universally. Therefore, calypso is the saviour of humanity crying out for equality, calypso is the ring leader of heroes and black history.
Calypso was born in Africa and it is a certain style of music which had incorporated into it rhythms that are typical of African music. This type of music is played during Carnival by Calypsonians, singers, who have prepared for the event all season long. These songs poke fun at anything and anyone, from politics to gossip and on occasions some controversial topics.
During the time when the Caribbean was under colonial rule, slaves too would use this as a way to have their voices heard. When the slaves would sing these songs they would make fun of their masters, the condition that they were in, and at any other political figure in society because they knew that they wouldn't be persecuted for it.
After the Christmas holidays, Calypso music can be heard any and everywhere, from house to house, corner store to pub and clubs, far and near over yonder down yonder, everywhere and every island that embraces calypso.
The Carnival fever sweeps the nation and each Calypsonian’s goal is to win popularity of the people with their songs because during Carnival there is an event where they compete for the title of Monarch for the rest of the year. In this event each Calypsonian performs his/her songs and competes against last year's champion. I Hope all so-called artist are now well educated. Stay bless, remain humble and be disciplined at all time.
Andrew “Baker Jr.” Richardson
