Orlando Hinds ready for Richard Stoute Teen Talent Show

Entertainer Orlando Hinds travels from Brooklyn, New York, to Barbados yearly to attend the Richard Stoute Teen Talent Show. 

“I always try to come here as often as possible because I really love Barbados and that’s why I want to be here,” he said.

This year is no different and the entertainer, who was in the game for over 35 years, told Barbados TODAY that he is excited to be on the island once again because for him it is all about sowing seeds into the youth through his special performances.

The former St Leonards student says he fully supports the positive work of Stoute, who he met through the Mighty Grynner, and he still looks up to Stoute as an idol. He’s happy to be a featured performer on the Teen Talent Show.

More than performing, he says all he wants to do is to support the young performers.

“I think it’s important to give them any help or support you can give them. That’s the reason why I considered coming here to perform because I like to help,” he said.

He recalled that he started singing in the church. Back then it was the Church of God of Prophecy where he sang as a young boy. As he got older he became a part of a neighborhood band in the Hillaby, St Andrew, community and he says from there he grew in voice and experience.

Currently living in Brooklyn, Hinds says that he’s very grateful for the help of Stoute and he’s also impressed with the talent locally.

“I’m one of the few people who have not come through the teen talent show but Richard tries to help in any way that he can. The talent here is very high and as I said I travel a lot, I go to a lot of competitions but the talent here is very high. I think Barbados has a lot of talent. The kids here are very talented,” he added.

Hinds says as an entertainer, he hopes to see something done for the Barbadians entertainers who live abroad.

“We always have a problem getting our music pushed down here and I don’t understand why. I would love to see them do something to get our music pushed abroad because we are Bajans too. I think we deserve a chance just like anyone else. My music is played abroad but to get it played locally I always have a difficult time,” he said.

Hinds says he recently released Slow Down, a reggae number, and Get Down, which is a soca song.

He can be found on Youtube as Orlando Hinds. (MR)