From the high seas to the Big Show tent

Soca artiste Joaquin Brewster, known for his sweet and soothing vocals and well familiarized with the groovy soca genre, is stepping out his comfort zone this Crop Over season.

The 25-year-old will be releasing a social commentary song for the first time. Joining the First Citizen/Digicel Big Show Calypso Tent, also for the first time, Joaquin is excited to join this sacred circle.

“I think everything happens in its own time and I think this year was the right year for me to contribute to that. I woke up one morning and said I would do it, just for the experience,” Joaquin said while speaking to Bajan Vibes at the Big Show tent launch.

“I think this tent was the best tent for me to start doing social commentary around others I am comfortable with. Being around them and seeing them, I will learn from them as well,” he added.

With an increased interest in the Pic-O-De-Crop competition due to its lucrative prizes – the monarch takes home either $100, 000 cash or a 2019 Nissan X-Trail SUV sponsored by Courtesy Garage Limited – Joaquin will also be vying for the crown. He also assured that he will be competing in the Soca Monarch competition.

He has recently returned to Barbados after spending three months performing at sea with his band Lock It on the Marella Explorer cruise. Brewster asserted that the stage experience he gained on-board has prepared him for the competition stage.

“It was a good learning experience, and it helped to discipline me as well,” he said, adding, “Interacting with different people every single day, you learn how to interact with crowds a lot better, seeing what to do and what not to do. [You] learn your limits in singing, how to care [for] your voice, [and] when to rest your voice. It definitely did prepare me for this season and I think I am more ready than I have ever been,” he told Bajan Vibes.

Commenting on the youth’s waning interest in social commentary, Joaquin suggested that more involvement from young soca artistes might motivate the country’s youth to participate in and listen to the genre.

“Social commentary – it goes way back. So I guess sometimes it would be harder for young people to relate to it. What I should say is – bring some kind of freshness to it. If younger people see younger artistes doing it, they would be more inclined to be a part of it, especially people that they follow [on social media],” he recommended.

Aside from his social commentary track which has not yet been released, he will be releasing groovy soca and power soca tunes. His first release for the season is Right, Right Now featuring Vincentian Problem Child on the Choco Stick Riddim. The riddim is also featured on songs by Fadda Fox, Marzville and Jahmantha.