Joaquin Brewster has no hard feelings about the Crop Over 2018 season. While he didn’t make it to the finals of any competition – it is really about making quality music.
Joaquin calls 2016 his “breakout year”, where people started to know who he was and what he had to offer.
“Everything just happened one time. I released This Place, then got to the finals at Soca Royale. It was a really good experience for me with that song and performing on that stage.
“All those seasoned artistes were thereand I had a good time . . . . It was fun.”
In 2017 he continued the wave he was riding.
“A lot more people were looking for my music and they were getting airplay. I didn’t get into any competitions but these things happen. At the end of the day, to me, competition doesn’t define your success as an artiste. I was getting to perform at shows and Baddest was a hit to me.’
He went to Miami Carnival, and travelling with the band krosfyah also gave him more exposure.
He cites his top three stage performances as his first Bushy Park experience, a gig he did with Arturo Tappin in Antigua on a private island (Jumby Bay) on Old Year’s Night and a performance in St Thomas with krosfyah.
“That gig with [krosfyah] was my first time performing with them actually as a member of the group. When I saw the crowd and the vibe as a newcomer it was surreal. To see how people respect talent and music and the arts.”
This year again he didn’t make it to the finals of any competitions, but his song Tiney Winey was well received. It was a different style and sound for the young artiste.
“It was written by Shontelle Layne and Adaeze and produced by Dwaingerous. The song was pitched to Michael Agard from krosfyah for me to sing and he called me and I went by his house. After hearing the song I got goosebumps when I heard it. I thought, ‘They wrote this specially for me. This is what I was really looking for.
“It was a demo on another beat sung by Shontelle, and Dwaingerous put a lot more bounce to it. He also guided me when I was recording it.”
Joaquin was abundant in his praise for those involved in the song, saying that every day he got a Snapchat from someone singing the song.
“I love all my songs but this one seemed to do something to my fans and the people.”
He said he got requests from Britain, Canada and the United States for the song. He is looking to do more work with the songwriters.
Joaquin, who is a barber, doesn’t put music on the back-burner when it isn’t Crop Over.
He has had a band, Lock It, for the past nine years, and they perform weekly at Sandals (since 2015) and Harbour Lights (for a year). They also have other gigs here and there.
“The band is made up of five other guys – Tony “Rebel” Bailey from krosfyah, Mario Rollins, Jonathan Jeffrey, Cory Applewhaite and Michael Ross.
Speaking of performances, the artiste is always well dressed for the stage. He calls his style “edgy, smooth and classy”.
“My image is very important. First impressions count. I do follow trends but I always switch it up to please myself.”
The singer doesn’t shy away from colours but has a special love for white and blue.
“I was allowed to express myself from a young age. I always had my own style and my mum allowed me to choose my outfits or have some input, but my game has gotten stronger.”
If are thinking you want something from his wardrobe, he gets everything tailor-made.
“My clothing is custom-made. There are a lot of designers I admire but I prefer to do me. I like the idea that every outfit I wear is one-of-a-kind and can’t be found in a store or in anyone’s wardrobe but mine.” (NS)
