Soca and Calypso Music Online

St. Kitts and Nevis - Machel Montano Cleans Up At International Soca Awards

Soca and Calypso Music Online — 10/22/2008

CaribWorldNews, BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Weds. Oct. 22, 2008: Soca star Machel Montano again walked a way with the most awards at this year`s 6th Annual International Soca Awards.

The awards, held over the weekend in St. Kitts, saw Montano take home some five awards, including Male Soca Performer of the Year, Over All Male Soca Artists of the Year, Best Soca Collaboration up Tempo, Soca Artist Album/CD of the year and Over All Soca Band of the Year award.

Faye-Ann Lyons won for Female Soca Performer of the Year, Soca Song of the Year and Over All Female Soca Artist of the Year. The Best New Female Soca Artist award went to Zoelah while the Male Soca Vocalist of the Year went to Kerwin Du Bois. Du Bois also won the Soca producer of the year title.

Meanwhile, performers at the event included Kerwin Du Bois, Kamau, Kassi, Sizwe C, Crazy, SKHI and Zoelah.

St. Kitts & Nevis - International Soca Awards held in Federation

Soca and Calypso Music Online — 10/21/2008

by Precious Mills

Despite the dampened spirit which may have been felt following the close encounter of Hurricane Omar last week, the International Soca Awards (ISA) held at the Marriott (in the Grand Ballroom) last Saturday revved a hot and brightened atmosphere of the up-tempo and energetic gyration associated with the jump-up music genre.

Preceeded by a green carpet-style entrance, the show, held under the auspices of Minister of State with responsible for Tourism, Richard “Ricky” Skerrit, saw the attendance of many government officials including St. Kitts/Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, Minister of Health Rupert Herbert, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, International Trade and Industry Hilary Hazel and Chief Secretary Joseph Edmeade.

The event is in its sixth year and last Saturday saw the event being held twice in the Caribbean.

The first time was in Trinidad & Tobago in 2005. It was held in New York in previous years.

The show was emceed by popular radio personality, Sinclair “G-Cue” Liburd of WINNFM (partner for the ISA), assisted by DJ Magic Man (also of WINNFM), through announcements/introductions (side-staged). The event was streamed live.

Highlights of the evening included Krazy with his witty song, Phone Card and Zoelah with her rendition of Go Down Low.

Music producer, Kamal (out of the British Virgin Islands) also performed a witty song in which he sang to his girlfriend (lyrical-wise), We should have three-some, just me you and (the) music. Other performers were Kerwin Du Bois and upcoming new artiste Siswee.

Furthermore, it was publicly explained to the audience that inclement weather hindered acts like Tizzy and EL A Kru (out of Antigua and Barbuda) from attending. Popular soca artistes like Machel Montano, Patrice Roberts and Ricky-T were also unable to attend.

Awards presented included: best new female artiste, Zoelah (out of St. Vincent & the Grenadines); favourite up-tempo song of the year – Fiery (by Bungie Garlin); favourite online soca radio- www.soca919.com; favourite soca information Web site – www.toronto-Lime.com; best soca compilation rhythm – Leggo Mi Ridim; DJ of the year – DJ Spice; honorary legend award – Winston “Gipsy” Peters; best female groove soca – Wuk It Up by Patrice Roberts. Favourite soca groove male – Soca Junkie (by Mr. Dale).

Soca humour of the year – Phone Card (by Krazy), best soca songwriter of the year – Kurnell Roberts and Machel Montano; best soca collaboration, Ricky-T and Mr. Vegas – Boom; best soca collaboration, Groove – Machel Montano and Kerwin Du Bois; honorary technical award – Leston Paul; trustee award, the Ignatius “The Invader” Tyson ; the international lifetime achievement – King Short Shirt (out of Antigua and Barbuda); best soca album CD- “Flame On”, Machel Montano; best DJ soca mix CD – “Addicted” (by Soca Twins); soca road mix of the year, Pressure Boom (by Ricky-T); best soca video of the year, “Desire” (by Sky); producer of the year, Kerwin Du Bois; soca chutney song of the year, Bring It (by Hunter); overall female soca artiste, Fay-Ann Lyons; overall soca male artiste, Machel Montano; soca song of the year – Pressure Boom by Ricky-T.

The Howell Fame Award was given to well-known calypso veteran for St. Kitts/Nevis, Elston “King Ellie Matt” Nero.

In the absence of Nero (due to health conditions), the award was accepted by his nephew, President of Mobile Indirect Channel at Cable and Wireless (one of the sponsors for the event), David Lake.

St. Kitts/Nevis road march champions for Carnival 2007-2008, the Grand Masters with the tune Boom Bam Bam were nominated for favourite up-tempo soca song of the year, while lead singer out of the Small Axe Band, Maurice “EK” Flanders, was nominated for favourite soca male of the year with the tune Naughty Shorty.

St. Kitts/Nevis national (now residing in the US), Juliette Mills, was nominated as best new soca female artiste of the year.

On the night of the ISA, Celebrity Mas Crew out of Trinidad & Tobago unveiled the Birds and Butterflies costumes to join in the St. Kitts Carnival this year. An after-party was held at Club Kactus with acts including Nu Vybz Band “De Suga Band” International and the Grand Masters.

A percentage of monies from the show is intended for the clean-up of the Federation after the passage of Hurricane Omar.

Grenada - THE LAUNCH OF CARRIACOU’S CARNIVAL

Soca and Calypso Music Online — 10/21/2008

Plans are well on the way for the 2009 edition of Carriacou and Petit Martinique’s Carnival. The official launch of the festival will take place on Saturday November 8^th on the Esplanade in Hillsborough.

The Carriacou and Petite Martinique Carnival Development Organization promises to continue the development of the festival. Armed with a full and detailed financial statement and the pledged support of the Ministry of Culture, the Organization is currently ensuring all is in place to make certain that locals and visitors alike will be part of a fantastic carnival celebration.

With the formation of the Carriacou and Petit Martinique Progressive Soca and Calypso Association, one can certainly look forward to a marked improvement in the quality of music for the 2009 carnival season.

The Carnival Development Organization would like to thank all its sponsors and donors for they continued support of one of the island’s most important cultural undertakings. Digicel will once again be the main corporate sponsor of the festival, a relationship that continues to be mutually beneficial.

The Carriacou and Petit Martinique Carnival Development Organization would like to take this opportunity to invite all to participate and enjoy Carnival 2009, which culminates on Monday February 23^rd and Tuesday February 24^th.

DIGICEL Carriacou Carnival 2K9 Calendar of Events.

Dates	Events	Venue
SaturdayOctober 11^th, 2008	Happy Hour & on the spot Bingo	Hillsborough By Jupa
FridayOctober 24^th, 2008	Happy Hour Featuring Soca Artistes	PM
SaturdayOctober 25^th , 2008	Fun Day Featuring Soca Artistes	Paradise Beach
SaturdayNovember 08^th, 2008	Official Launching Carnival 2K9Happy hour	Esplanade Hillsborough
SaturdayJanuary 31^st , 2009	Junior Carnival Frolic	Tennis Court
FridayFebruary 06^th , 2009	Soca Monarch Semi-Finals	Tennis Court
SundayFebruary 08^th , 2009	Independence Beach Fest	Paradise Beach
FridayFebruary 13^th, 2009	Calypso Semi-Finals	Tennis Court
WednesdayFebruary 18^th , 2009	Kaiso Down Town	Hillsborough By Jupa
FridayFebruary 20^th, 2009	Soca Monarch Finals	Tennis Court
SaturdayFebruary 21^st, 2009	Queen Show	Tennis Court
SundayFebruary 22^nd, 2009	De Marche Gras / Camboulay	Tennis Court
MondayFebruary 23^rd , 2009	Carnival Monday. Jourvert; Pageant/ King & Queen of the Band	Tennis Court
TuesdayFebruary 24^th, 2009	Carnival Tuesday. Shakespare @ Mt. Royal & Six Roads. Parade of Bands @ Hillsborough Streets

Dates and venues subject to change.

Saint Kitts and Nevis - Tourism minister praises ISA held in St. Kitts

Soca and Calypso Music Online — 10/21/2008

by Precious Mills

Minister of State with responsibility for Tourism Richard “Ricky” Skerritt informed Sun St. Kitts/Nevis that the International Soca Awards (ISA) held last Saturday at the St. Kitts Marriott Hotel was a “night of tourism and culture.”

He was at the time speaking to the SUN after the ISA, “an international Caribbean night”, as he described it.

Skerritt remarked that ISA is a young and new event and he was happy to be a part, especially since it has now been held twice in the Caribbean.

He wished for Caribbean nationals to join together to support Caribbean culture as this would further boost the region’s music to achieve international fame.

“I had a great time and the people I observed seemed to have had a good time as well,” Skerrit remarked.

According to him, the show had a “strong St. Kitts component”, and the Federation was given the opportunity to showcase the talent of four people which he credited to the skilled master of ceremony, models, dancers and stage and lighting props.

Meanwhile, honorary legend awardee, Winston “Gipsy” Peters of Trinidad & Tobago said in most cases Caribbean people discard what is our own. He encouraged the young artistes to uphold the music and encouraged all the artistes to “please put some substance in your work.”

In addition, the International Lifetime Achievement Soca awardee, Maclean “King Short Shirt” Emmanuel of Antigua and Barbuda, appealed to the soca artistes to keep some positive lyrics in the songs being put out.

Meanwhile, Minister Skerritt was pleased that national calypso veteran, Elston “King Ellie Matt” Nero was honoured at the show with the Howell Fame Award, which he described as “very special”.

Furthermore, he commended the other national soca artistes who did not win an award but were nominated – Juliette Mills, Grand masters, Nu Vybz International and Small Axe Band.

Commenting on the importance of music in the tourism industry, Skerritt told the SUN that music is a unique part of the Caribbean culture, alluding to the interest of tourists to experience the culture of the islands.

He disclosed that the international/regional TV stations will package the material from the ISA that will feature video footage of St. Kitts/Nevis to be shared with the rest of the world.

According to him, although the event seemed small, it was much bigger since the live streaming allowed the evening’s proceeding to be shared with thousands of listeners who would have mostly been Caribbean nationals living abroad.

St Kitts & Nevis - Soca Awards Honors Artistes

Soca and Calypso Music Online — 10/20/2008

Soca Awards Honors Artistes

By Suelika N. Creque
Editor-SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE 6th Annual International Soca Awards came to an end at the Royal St. Kitts Marriott Ballroom on Saturday, Oct. 18 with a poor turnout that did not warrant an event of such importance.

However, the Green Carpet event brought entertainment and enjoyment to those who attended and were able to mix and mingle with some of the artistes whilst also enjoying their performances.

The Soca Awards was created with the objective of recognising and rewarding excellence and achievement in the Soca Music art form while showcasing the extraordinary talents of soca music’s absolute best exponents, according to the awards’ mission statement.

The statement also informed that the Awards was also created with the intent to further expose and market the soca music genre to mainstream audiences.

With a few technical difficulties and glitches, the awards began sometime around 8:00 p.m. and ended after 11:00 p.m.

Performances for the night were by Kerwin Du Bois, Kamau, Kassi, Sizwe C, Crazy, SKHI and Zoelah.
Minister with responsibility for Tourism, the Hon. Richard ‘Ricky’ Skerrit announced the list of honorees who were awarded with special awards.

The ISA Hall of Fame Award went to St. Kitts’s Elston ‘Ellie Matt’ Nero, while the ISA Technical Award went to Leston Paul.

ISA Legend Award was awarded to ‘Gypsy’ while the ISA Trustee Award went to ‘Invader’ and the International Lifetime Achievement Award to ‘King Short Shirt’.

Kittitians were also among this year’s nominees including Juliette Mills, nominated for Best New Female Soca Artiste; Smiley of Grandmasters, nominated in the Favorite Soca Up-Tempo Male; Small Axe Band and the Nu Vybes Band International, nominated for Overall Soca Band of the Year; Dj Choice-One, Best Dj Soca Mix of the year; and E.K of Small Axe Band, Favorite Groove Soca by a Male for his song ‘Naughty Shorty’.
Although no the Kittitian was successful in winning an award, the audience cheered with pride as the nominees names were announced.

Nearing the end of the Awards, the Celebrity’s Mas Crew of Trinidad showcased three costumes that will be a part of this year’s Carnival celebrations.

This is the second hosting of the International Soca Awards in the Caribbean, which is traditionally held in New York. Trinidad is the first Caribbean country in which the event was held.
And the ISA goes to…

Best New Female Soca Artist:
• Zoelah

Male Soca Vocalist of the Year
• Never Leave Ya by Kerwin Du Bois

Female Soca Performer of the Year
• Faye-Ann Lyons

Male Soca Performer of the Year
• Machel Montano

Soca Song Writer of the Year
• Kernel Roberts & Machel Montano - (Unconditional Love, Blazed D Trail, Make Love)

Best Soca Collaboration Grove
• Kerwin Du Bois & Shal Marshall – Gyal Farm

Best Soca Collaboration up Tempo
• Machel Montano & Mighty Sparrow – Congo Man

Over All Female Soca Artist of the Year
• Faye-Ann Lyons

Over All Male Soca Artists of the Year
• Machel Montano

International Soca DJ of the year
• DJ Spice

Best Soca Compilation Rhythm
• Lehgo Riddim

Soca Humor of the Year
• Phone Card by Crazy

Favorite Groove Soca - Female
• Patrice Roberts

Favorite Groove Soca - Male
• Mr. Dale

Favorite up Tempo Soca - Male
• Pressure Boom by Ricky T

Soca Artist Album/CD of the year
• Flame On by Machel Montano

Soca Song of the Year
• Get On by Faye-Ann Lyons
• Pressure Boom by Ricky T

Favorite Soca Info Website
• www.toronto-lime.com

Over All Soca Band of the Year
• Machel Montano HD

Soca producer of the year
• Kerwin Du Bois - (Breathless, 2 days, Gyal Farm)

Best Soca Music Video
• Desire by SKHI

Best Soca Re-mix Collaboration
• Ricky T. ft. Mr. Vegas – Pressure Boom (Remix)

Soca Chutney Song of the Year
• Bring It by Hunter

Favorite Soca Online Radio
• WWW.SOCA919.COM

SKN - International Soca Awards set for tomorrow

Soca and Calypso Music Online — 10/17/2008

By Suelika N. Creque
Editor-SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – OFFICIALS of the Soca Awards Organisation (SAO) have released a statement indicating that Hurricane Omar has not hindered their event and “the show must go on”.

The 6th Annual International Soca Awards (ISA) scheduled for Saturday, October 18 will now be held at the St. Kitts Marriott Hotel’s Ballroom and not the hotel’s Events Centre as previously advertised.

According to the statement, the change of venue is due to the flooding of the access road to the Events Centre.

The officials also stated that they would proceed with all activities surrounding the ISA, including a ‘White Out-Divas Night’ party at the Oasis Sports Bar and Grill at Frigate Bay beginning at 9:00 p.m.

Following the Awards, the official after party will be held at Club Kactus featuring top soca artistes, DJs and bands.

The press release also stated that international DJs are already on the island and plans are currently in place to ensure all other performers, nominees and honorees arrive within the next 24 hours.

“We have invested a lot into this 6th Anniversary and, with the assistance of the wonderful people on this island, the activities this weekend will go on,” said Colin Jackman, CEO of the Soca Awards Organisation.

The Soca Awards Organisation will contribute EC$10 from each ticket sale to the Friday night event at Oasis to the island of St. Kitts to aide in the clean-up process.

The Organisation’s officials also extended special thanks to Minister Richard Skerritt and his team at the Tourism office, the Marriott staff and all the local media houses on St. Kitts.

“We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the ISA 6 nominees, honorees, performers and attendees for braving the conditions to still be a part of this event. Finally, thanks to the people of St. Kitts for your support and for welcoming us with open arms. We see that you are moving forward to overcome all that has happened on the island and we commend your strength. Thanks again for everything,” the CEO said.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Masqueraders jump and wave at the 6th annual Broward Carnival

Soca and Calypso Music Online — 10/17/2008

BY WANJIRA BANFIELD

LAUDERHILL — Marking its sixth year, the Broward Caribbean Carnival has become an exceptional cultural experience and spectacular display of colors, cuisine and costumes.

Last Sunday, Oct. 12, many people woke up early to prepare their masquerade costumes, grab a flag from one of the 25 Caribbean islands, and head to the annual event to revel in a full day of fun, festivities and national pride.

Although meteorologists throughout South Florida predicted that scattered rain storms would drench the day, it didn't stop thousands from coming out to the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill.

Miami Caribbean Carnival also took place on the same day at Bicentennial Park in downtown Miami.

The Broward event faced a few challenges in recent years. Leaders of other cities complained that the crowd was too large and left behind too much debris. But the president of the carnival, Andy Ansola, said he believes this venue in Lauderhill fit the celebration well.

“I’m glad the event has moved to a regional park in culturally diverse central Broward, giving it more of an opportunity to evolve into a celebration for all people, not just those from the Caribbean,” Ansola stated.

In 2007, just a month before the celebration, the organizers of the Broward Caribbean Carnival were forced to relocate from parks in Miramar and Sunrise due to complaints about over-crowding, parking and trash problems.

Placed in a desperate situation that could have left an irreparable dent in the carnival, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission last year decided to allow the celebration to occur at Lockhart Stadium.

This year, however, Broward Caribbean Carnival decided to call the Central Broward Regional Park home.

Feathered and jeweled adorned costumes displaying bright exuberant colors along with the euphonious sounds of the Caribbean kicked off the celebrations for the day.

Though the programmed events were a few hours behind schedule, the whole day commenced smoothly with a variety of family oriented events, performances by top Soca Artists such as Krosfyah, Calypsonians such as Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, and steelpan bands along with a host of vendors demonstrating trinkets and merchandise representing the vibrant flare of the Caribbean culture.

Carnival day cannot be complete without “playing mas,’’ which includes an organized group (band) made up of participants who pay for elaborate costumes fashioned by a designer. The costumed participants (masqueraders) dance through the streets to the sounds of a steel band, a soca band or a deejay.

Dania Beach resident and long time masquerader Gayelle Felix, 36 of the Fun Generation band, has been ‘playing mas’ her whole life, and has continued to do so for the 12 years since she relocated to South Florida.

She joined The Fun Generation band, which has quickly become the leading band in the masquerade competitions, walking away with 1st place since the beginning of Broward Caribbean Carnival.
Felix hasn’t missed a beat ever since.

“Carnival is such a beautiful way for all of the Caribbean to come together and share a common bond within our culture. There are very few places and events in Broward County alone that allow us Caribbeans to express our culture,” Felix told the South Florida Times.

Fourteen bands displayed their cultural and national pride, representing islands from the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Antigua, Barbuda to Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Lucia, Haiti, and even Grenada and Barbados.

Fourteen judges were on site to select which band was going to walk away with the title of The Band of the Year. Prizes were to be awarded in the subcategories of Queen and King Costumes, Female/ Male individual costumes, and overall theme portrayal for the entire band.

The winners had not been announced as of press time.

MissBanfield@Gmail.com

Photo by Khary Bruyning. A dancer performs at the Broward Caribbean Carnival.

Trinidad and Tobago - Ministry cuts Soca Monarch funds

Soca and Calypso Music Online — 10/13/2008

By JOAN RAMPERSAD Monday, October 13 2008

A DECISION BY the Culture Ministry to reduce its funding of the International Soca Monarch competition is threatening one of the major events of the Carnival season.

Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Prestige Foundation for the Performing Arts (CPF), Gregory Fernandes, told Newsday yesterday his organisation received $2.1 million last year to help pay prize money for the competition. However, he has been advised that the Ministry is reducing its funding of the event to $1 million next year.

“Soca is the lifeblood of the Carnival and to cut it back like that is showing that they have no commitment to the art form,” Fernandes said.

“The national budget is $50 billion and out of that just $1 million for soca? It is a shame that that is how they are treating the art form.”

According to Fernandes, “...to add insult to injury” CPF officials have been denied use of the (Hasely Crawford Stadium for the Soca Monarch Finals. He said this was the case, although Culture Minister Marlene McDonald was well aware that the only other viable venue, the Queen’s Park Oval, is unavailable because it will be the venue for an England vs West Indies cricket test match right after Carnival.

He said McDonald asked them to consider using the Jean Pierre Complex but he claims that venue “can’t hold the Soca Monarch”.

A frustrated Fernandes said: “In all international countries there are big shows operating in big stadia. With the size of the Soca Monarch crowd there is no other facility to hold that crowd. This could negatively impact Soca Monarch. It may be in limbo.

“We are looking to overcome with the issue of the finance but the location is crucial. A number of VIPs are expected for next year’s show and we can’t just put them any and everywhere. It will be very embarrassing.”

He continued: “At the launch of NCC board the Minister called on people to take the art form higher but that is plain old talk because when we called for a meeting with her since March, we only had one with the Permanent Secretary.”

Commenting on the Minister’s call for audited accounts from cultural and community organisations, Fernandes told Newsday: “I have no problem with that but the Ministry should appoint an auditor who can be used by all the special interest groups at the Ministry’s expense. It is very costly. With the cut allocations what do they expect us to do? They are not showing any leadership and not thinking out these positions.”

Jersey City, USA - Who's That Girl? Soul Rebel Q&A with Barbados Newest Star SHONTELLE

Soca and Calypso Music Online — 10/13/2008

Written by SOHH Soul Rebel

Barbados is on the fast track to becoming the latest hot spot for R&B talent. Of course everybody knows good girl gone bad, Rihanna, but now SRC/Universal has emerged with a brand new Bajan star, Shontelle -- who is an accomplished songwriter in addition to being a singer. With her new album Shontelligence dropping November 18th, Soul Rebel chopped it up with the island beauty about her first single "T-Shirt," her road to success, and the obvious comparisons to you-know-who.

Soul Rebel: Congrats on the success of your single Shontelle!
Shontelle: "T-shirt" is doing really really well. I'm so happy about that.

SR: Was that your first video?
S: I have shot other videos but this is my first Shontelle video.

SR: That's got to be really exciting. I know you're also a songwriter did you write "T-Shirt"?
S: I didn't, "T-Shirt" was written by Andrew Frampton and produced by Wayne Wilkins, he's the guy that did "Bleeding Love" for Leona Lewis. I recorded that out in LA also.

Shontelle "T-Shirt"

SR: How'd you come up with the title?
S: It was really funny, one day we were hanging out in the studio and we got bored so the guys were like let's play a word game with your name Shontelle and they said Shonteleport and Shontelevator and one of them said 'Wow this is some real Shontelligence', and I was like 'Heyyyy that's an album name.' Even though it came out of a game of funning we thought it was fitting because of the whole theme of my album. I guess Shontelligence represents me because not only am I literally a college student, close to graduating, I was studying philosophy and law before I came to the US. Could it be more fitting than that really?

SR: What made you decide, forget about being a lawyer I'm going to be a singer?
S: It was so hard for me to make that decision but how it happened was - I'm from Barbados so coming up on the island no one really sees music or entertainment as a real career. My parents were [the] old-fashioned, go to school and become a doctor or lawyer [type], but I always always wanted to do music. I would wake up in the morning and the first thing I'd think of was that. When it was time for me to go to school, to have a plan b, the reason I chose law was that I figured if I did entertainment law I'd still get to be part of the industry. I never thought this was going to come true but this was the most random, weirdest thing then.

SR: Sounds like a good story.
S: I was literally doing music behind my parents back at home. They weren't too keen on it because they know me and my personality is that if I am passionate about something I don't really care what anyone thinks so they were worried I'd forget about school and I didn't want them to get worried. I had a lot of friends who were producers and songwriters and I would hang out with them at the studio. I met this lady Sonia Mullins at home, she manages other artists in Barbados and she said if you really want to do this I can guide you. So she took me under her wing and introduced me to some people. I ended up meeting this guy who was like I have this artist Alison Hinds and she's looking for material for her new album and I ended up writing this song "Roll" which she performed and it did really well, in the whole West Indian community cuz Alison Hinds is like, they call her the "Queen of Soca."

Alison Hinds "Roll it Gal"

SR: So that's what put you on, how'd you end up signing as an artist yourself?
S:I came to New York to audition for American Musical and Dramatic Academy and I didn't tell my parents the details about that. Here I am in NY trying to get a scholarship to art school. The day before I was going back to Barbados I got this random phone call like 'Hello this is Evan Rogers, I'm the guy who found Rihanna, I'm one of her producers.' So of course I'm going nuts but trying to act all calm on the phone, so he asked if I wrote Roll and said "I'm interested in working with the writer, they said it was you." When he found out I was in New York, he was like "You need to get to the studio immediately!" I was at my cousin's apartment in Tribeca and I got the first train to Bronzeville and met with SRP, they signed me to their production company put together a demo and we went shopping at all the labels and ended up signing with SRC/Universal Motown. This was '06 and I signed with Steve Rifkind in '07.

SR: So you came home from the trip you told your parents how much did they freak out?
S: Yeah I was like Mom, I have something to tell you. She was like 'Oh boy you went up there doing music stuff.' And I was like 'Yeah, and it's worse, people want to sign me to their label.' But my family started to open up to me doing music by then after I wrote the song "Roll" because it was so successful in the whole soca scene. So they could see at least if I was going to do it I was probably going to do well. Of course now things are better.

SR: The album was slated to come out last year was that tough getting pushed back? S: Any artist will tell you it's like being on an emotional rollercoaster because one day you think you got it and another day not quite. It can go from very excited to where are we going? What are we doing? My project was challenging because I'm trying to be a mainstream artist but I'm not from the mainstream culture. Everyone was optimistic that we could do it because they already had success with Rihanna, but it was like how can we do this again with out them saying this is the same thing. Another girl from Barbados? That was the biggest challenge we had but we definitely worked things out.

J-Status ft. Rihanna & Shontelle "Roll"

SR: As far as the album goes, how is it balanced between island and pop/R&B music?
S: It is more or less a pop/R&B album but I told them I have to stay true to my roots, I'm an island girl, a Bajan girl, but Steve [Rifkind] was very adamant about that. His biggest artist is probably Akon right now and Akon is similar to me in that he's from Senegal, a totally unrelated world, but making music here but you can here the sound of where he's from in his music and Steve wanted to make sure we had that. There are songs on my album that definitely have that. We worked with west Indian producers so you are going to hear elements of reggae and even soca and calypso elements. It's a versatile and dynamic project.

SR: Did you have a chance to write?
S:I had a lot of creative input on this album they really let me do my thing so for the majority of the album I wrote or co-wrote 8 out of 11 songs. The three I didn't write were "T-Shirt," "Battle Cry," which will be on the democratic compilation, music they made for the elections, it was also produced by Wayne Wilkins and it's lined up to be the second single. The third song was "Superwoman," which was written by Amanda Ghost, she also wrote "You're beautiful" for James Blunt and "Beautiful Liar" with Shakira and Beyonce and that was produced by Stargate. I sometimes have to pinch myself, this is so unreal to me that I get to work with these producers that I look up to. Even since I've come to New York, I've had opportunity to do songwriting with Tricky and The-Dream, it's just been so unreal to me.

SR: You and Rihanna were in Cadets together right?
S: She went to one of the top high schools and so did I, our schools are affiliated and there is a program called Cadets which is like ROTC. There's drilling and all that stuff and that is how I knew Rihanna. The funny thing is I always knew there was something special about her, she just looks different than every one else. She was this little sandy haired, green eyed, tall girl. She always stood out, even just from how she looked and I always thought she was going to grow up to be a model, I didn't even know she was s singer. When she broke out I was like Oh my gosh that is Robin Fenty, what is she doing being a big star.

SR: She doesn't write and you do, I would think you guys would come up with something good working together.
S: Just before she went on the "Glow In the Dark Tour" she called me and we were trying so hard to get together and get our schedules to work but between the two schedules it was just so crazy and never happened. The same thing happened with Akon.

SR: Do you think you are ready for what you're getting yourself into with the tabloids and the Rihanna comparisons?
S: I'm literally affiliated with Rihanna because we are from the same place and we have the same management and same production companies, we're on two different labels but even they are affiliated Def Jam and Universal so I get to see what happens with her life and it's very intimidating but I'm so much of a go getter and an overachiever, I know this is what I want to do I just have to be prepared for what comes with the territory.

SR: What was your favorite song on the album?
S: "T-Shirt" was definitely one of my favorites, but some of my others are "Battle Cry" and "Cold Cold Summer" that is a ballad, it's really really nice and another one of my favorites is "Superwoman."

SR: Outside of music, what else have you been up to?
S: A few more things this experience has opened up for me, is in NY we just had Fashion Week and I actually got to do the show for Elle and Tide and Stuff 360, the Caravan show and I got to open the show with T-Shirt and model for Rock the Vote and also for Michael Antonio and I went to the Baby Phat show and Russell Simmons. I had a busy fashion week and that was pretty cool. I got to live out my secret fantasy of being a supermodel.

Shontelligence lands in stores November 18th on SRC/Universal.

New York NY - Get Smart: Deep 'SHONTELLIGENCE' Reveals an Irresistible New Talent

Soca and Calypso Music Online — 10/10/2008

Barbados-Born Beauty SHONTELLE Co-Writes and Sings a Stunning Debut Album on SRP/SRC/Universal Motown Debut single "T-Shirt" is TOP 20 at Mainstream Pop Radio!

NEW YORK, Oct 10, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Rarely does a young artist make an entrance as confident, well-rounded and flawless as SRP/SRC/Universal Motown singer-songwriter SHONTELLE. Her debut single "T-Shirt" has zoomed into the top 30 of iTunes most-downloaded Top Songs chart, and within a month of release to radio, has rammed the national Top 20 in pop-formatted airplay, spinning at over 150 mainstream Top 40 and rhythmic-crossover radio stations across America. The serene and sensual "T-Shirt" video clip has drawn over 1.1 million audio streams on the artist's MySpace.com page and a similar number of video hits on YouTube.com.

And it gets better from there...much better. SHONTELLE's debut album SHONTELLIGENCE, is a state-of-the-art, magnetic and musically comprehensive playlist for today's global pop and urban music fan -- an unmistakable giant step onto center stage for the 23-year old native of Bridgetown, Barbados. The album is scheduled for release on November 18, 2008, through SRP Records' affiliation with SRC, the Universal Motown-distributed imprint of hip-hop entrepreneur and urban marketing innovator Steve Rifkind, making her the label-mate of the SRC platinum-plus artists Akon and David Banner. SHONTELLE's debut also features the idealistic and inspiring "Battle Cry," which was chosen for the unique all-star CD/download compilation Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement, developed for the Presidential campaign of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

In the eleven songs of SHONTELLIGENCE, she takes ownership of a musical palette that broadens and deepens with each successive track. Throughout the album, SHONTELLE's voice is assertive and exuberant, with an impressive lyrical consciousness enveloping a boundary-busting pop-urban spectrum, from the multicultural riddim-centric soca of "Roll" and "Focus Pon Me," to the reggae tracks "Life is Not an Easy Road," "Crave You," "Flesh and Bone." There's also a literate and progressive neo-soul vibe to "Superwoman," "Plastic People" and "Ghetto Lullaby," and a retro/alternative urban note in "Cold Cold Summer."

Like the most talented of today's young entertainers, Shontelle Layne made her mark first as a writer, co-composing the award-winning soca smash and girl-power anthem "Roll" in 2005. Producer/songwriters Evan Rogers and Carl Sturken of SRP Records, whose production company had previously discovered and launched fellow Bajan native Rihanna as a worldwide superstar, had sought to contact the writer of "Roll" with a view to creating a cover for the international market. They were first stunned, and then delighted, to recognize that the hit songwriter -- and straight-A entertainment law student -- had all the makings of a world-class performer as well. "We couldn't believe that Shontelle was such a great singer, and so young and beautiful, and hadn't been discovered yet," says Rogers.

Over a year and a half of focused work and patient development, Shontelle joined the SRP production company, and recorded her album, co-writing with producers Sturken and Rogers, and collaborating with other A-list hitmakers, including Wayne Wilkins and Andrew Frampton ("T-Shirt") Stargate ("Superwoman") and the Heavyweights and the Jam ("Battle Cry"), as well as the hometown Barbados-based teams Classic Soul ("Focus Pon Me") and De Red Boys ("Crave You"). She signed with Steve Rifkind's SRC Records early in 2008.

Defining "intelligence" recently to an interviewer as "the gathering of new knowledge or information, the ability to comprehend and profit from experience," SHONTELLE reflected that "knowledge...feeds my life and my music. The more I learn, the more I want to learn...the more I grow as a person, and as an artist."

Expose yourself to true SHONTELLIGENCE at:

http://www.myspace.com/shontelle

www.shontellemusic.com

Preview 'BATTLE CRY' at:

http://www.barackobama.com/music/

SOURCE: Universal Motown

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Universal Motown 
Phylicia Fant, 212-841-8640 
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Amanda Charney, 212-337-1406, ext 15 
F: 212-337-2037 
amandacharney@planamedia.com 
or 
Patti Conte, 212-337-1406, x16 
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