Caribbean music on demand

by Lashawna Griffith

Paul Husbands is the founder of Selecta Charts, a streaming website for music from the English-speaking Caribbean. Husbands was named as number one in the Top 30 Under 30 Bajan Millennial Entrepreneurs in the premiere issue of Millennial Business and Life Mastery.

Q: What is your mantra for life?

A: The energy you put in the universe you always get back – the good, the bad and the ugly.

Q: Were you always involved in music?

A:  Yes, at Westbury Primary School I was actually a singer in the school choir. One of my music tutors back then is now a professional singer in the group G-Syndicate – Derek Marshall. When I was at Queen’s College, I was a member of the school band and I played the trombone. The band leader played trombone, so he recommended it. I played the piano then to even up a few grades. I am pretty rusty now, but I bet I could still play a mean trombone.

Q: What led to the development of Selecta Charts?

A:  Our mission is to ignite the passion and pride for the beats, sounds, and rhythms of the Caribbean in all of us. We aim to lead the global sharing of Caribbean and music culture with Barbados at the forefront. Selecta Charts actually started as a school project at Barbados Community College ten years ago in 2009 when I did my Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design. My goal for the project was to create a platform that could transform Barbados’ music industry from only being seasonally active to year-round using a digital network. I never expected it to become an actual product.

Q: Selecta Charts has become the go-to for many artistes on the island. Are you pleased with its development over the years?

A:  I am actually blown away by the hundreds of artistes, promoters and managers that have adopted Selecta Charts as a home in the past two years since the launch. They clearly see my vision and the work that is constantly put into it. The crazy thing is they have not begun to see anything yet!

Q: What motivates you to ensure that Selecta Charts continues to grow from strength to strength?

A: The artistes motivate me on a daily basis. Without the artistes, Selecta Charts is nothing. For them, I am forever grateful. My ambitions for the future of the platform and brand are so wild and the artistes’ support constantly reminds me that my dreams are possible. I just have to keep working hard.

Q: In a previous conversation you said you wanted to have the brand become an app. Who are you looking to do this with?

A:  Yes, I have several plans for Selecta Charts and a major part of my roadmap is to actually develop a Selecta Charts Mobile App for Android and iOS. In 2017, I was honoured to represent Barbados at the Young Leaders of Americas Initiative (YLA) in Austin Texas. I met some inspiring entrepreneurs. One of whom is a Project Lead at a Web Development Company and I am keen to work on the app with her because of her impressive portfolio. Also, it is definitely a dream of mine to build a dream with someone else who is also building theirs. This has not started as yet because apps are so expensive to fund. So I am working towards it.

Q: What is one thing you do for fun?

A: Hip Hop dance choreography. Step Up 2 is the greatest of all time.

Q: How can people find you on social media?

A: Everyone is welcome to follow Selecta Charts on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube by searching for our handle @selectacharts. I actually respond to all the message I receive every day, so feel free to let me know what you are thinking. You can also check out our website www.selectacharts.com. (LG)