For Barbados and abroad

Barbadian soca artiste Shaquille’s 2019 release, Fine Wine, is sweet and smooth as red merlot.

The single is a Bajan-Lucian collaboration with production by Minor Productions and Jus D Music and lyrics crafted by the vocalist himself, Shaquille Layne. Although the track was released in November 2018, its official launch is slated for March this year.

The 26-year-old singer/songwriter who is known for soca songs like Collateral and Arms Wide Open says Fine Wine is his attempt to change his tune. Known for his witty, lyrical content, Shaquille ‘dumbed’ it down for Fine Wine. The focus of the song isn’t its lyrics but rather the ‘vibe’ or feeling it gives the listener.

“The song was basically a freestyle; when I heard the beat, I sang the first thing that came to my head. I wanted to try a new style, something different because everybody is accustomed to me singing songs that have a lot more lyrics content than Fine Wine. This one is more about the vibe,” he told Bajan Vibes.

The song has gradually garnered interest and will be further promoted ahead of Crop Over 2019. Shaquille disclosed that while staying true to his sweet soca style, he will be experimenting with different sounds this year. He is focused on mastering his music so it will be well received in local and international markets.

“I’m trying to bring a more international sound as well because I’m trying not to [produce] music solely for Barbados but outside of Barbados and put Barbadian music on the map worldwide. We have a lot of hit songs here in Barbados but when I travel you hardly hear any of these songs that were ‘hits’ locally,” he said adding, “I’m trying to do music that will appeal to people locally and internationally because I don’t want it to be a case where you get a hit in Barbados and as the Crop Over season finishes then basically you are finished as well.”

Shaquille revealed that he was working with a number of young soca artistes “to help them to bring out positive music” for Crop Over 2019. Shaquille, who is also a sought after songwriter during the season, expressed that the young artistes sought to create music that will be etched on the global scene.

“We are trying to create that music that will take Barbados from here and carry us across the map so people will know what Barbados has to offer.”