It seems that Kerwin Du Bois can do no wrong nowadays – especially when he hits a stage singing songs like Forget About It, Spoil Mehself and Too Real.
In fact, not only is he Trinidad and Tobago Carnival’s new Groovy Soca Monarch, knocking Machel Montano into second place in that category at the International Soca Monarch finals last month at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain, but he seemed to have pressed every button – pun intended – of the thousands who attended last Saturday’s Socatology held at Kensington Oval.
With 20 minutes to bring his sweet soca to the masses, the Trini-born but Canada-based singer was not only Possessed but showed why he is De Bacchanalist.
The monarch, speaking to WEEKEND BUZZ after his performance, said despite his hectic schedule throughout Trinidad and Tobago and abroad, he plans to play a more active role in Crop Over 2014.
“I plan to come back this year. I am not sure yet about being on the road (Kadooment Day) with my schedule and thing, but of course I plan to be back and participate. I plan to pop in for a few days and experience part of the Crop Over vibes. I really want to play mas over here though. I want to jump in a band and see what it is like, if the time permits, but we will see how it goes.”
The man who stands less than five feet six inches but whose stature seems so much taller on stage due to his talent and passion for his music is very humbled and grateful by the support both at home in Trinidad as well as in Barbados, which he sealed with the master collaboration of Monsta Winer with the much-loved Lil Rick.
“For the last few years I love that the people are really enjoying my music.
It is a great feeling that people are finally starting to, first of all acknowledge what I have been doing, and then start to appreciate the changes of the style of soca.
It’s a blessing. Coming to Barbados and seeing the people loving and passionate about my music reminds me that we are brother and sister islands.”
“At this point my greatest achievement is being loved, respected and appreciated by the soca world. I kid you not, that’s something that no competition can crown you. Winning the title is what it was.
“It’s not like I am new to the game. I have been in Soca Monarchs for years and I never won but just being there was a prize for me. This year really and truly – the crowd, the people, the soca nation – they are ones that really won that title because they wanted the change. I wanted it but not as bad as they did. The love they showed me was my prize. Nothing could really replace that.”
