I am aware that you are a huge Machel Montano fan. What is your fascination with Machel?
I love and admire this man because of his passion for the music. He has a strong dedication to the music.
We did not know this before hand, but we recently interviewed your cousin Quacy. Are you from a musical family?
Quacy and I are the only two from the family into music. My dad did some music while in school but that was it.
I heard a tune from you about a year ago; I heard nothing else until lately. What took you so long?
Music is a process, I cannot rush it.
That is true, what is the process like for you?
Getting the right song with the right lyrics; that could be a long procedure to get the song done. Then getting the right producer, writer, vocals and these things all need to be right.
For those who are not familiar with Kaiso, educate them about this art form.
It is the root, when our forefathers would sing protest songs. The songs against the Bourgeois, they eventually started to bring the music to the Dancehall. In the dancehall’s we lost some of the essence. The role of the Kaisonain is to tell stories.
I agree; we also have many examples that others are not quite aware of.
Yes, they get used to a diet of jump up and whine. When someone comes with a Soca song with a message, they have to work hard to keep the message in the song.
How do you find that you are being accepted in the Kaiso arena at your age?
In Toronto, they embrace me. They are surprised that a young person is singing Kaiso. In Trinidad, most people don’t want to go to the Calypso tent because of various reasons.
Were you born in Canada?
I was born in Canada but left at two years old to live in Trinidad. I came back to Toronto at 18 years old.
What do you remember most about growing up in Trinidad?
The richness of the culture, the feeling of love and freedom in the society; to put it in words would be like explaining what love is.
I understand you will be performing in a competition today right after this interview. What is the name of the competition?
The Kaiso 365 Competition; every year they run a tent series. There are 14 artistes in the semifinals, 2 tents; 8 finalists to compete for the Calypso Monarch and I am a finalist.
Well, Congrats!!
Thank you, this is my third year singing. My producer said “you make it every year, this is the year you have to think of yourself as a Calypsonian and realize that you belong here, just like anyone else”.
Who produces your music?
Ossie Curley, he is responsible for a string of Soca hits. “Who let the dogs out” is one of his most famous tunes.
You are in good company. [Laughs]
Yes, I am. The same passion Machel has for his art. Is the same I have; this year from my producer’s encouragement, I wrote two songs which put me in the Calypso Monarch finals.
You seem very connected spiritually with your music.
It is love, and if you love, anything is possible with love. There are days I feel despondent, you just have to break the bad habits.
Is there anyone special in Naki’s life?
I am currently not in a relationship, “Ah getting old”. [Laughs] I am working on getting there.
Anyone you want to send a shout out to?
Natasha, my close friends and family; Kami, Ossie, Donna, D, Quacy, my brother.
