Ravi B ready to defend his crown Monday, January 24 2011
TRINIDAD NEWSDAY - RESHMA BAAL - Reigning Chutney Soca Monarch, Ravi Bissember (Ravi B) is eager and prepared to defend his crown at the 2011 Chutney Soca Monarch Competition. He is also confident that he will be able to hold on to his title for another year.
At age 27, Ravi B was the youngest winner in the history of the 15-year competition, with his hit song, “Ah Drinker.” In winning the title, he edged out a favourite in the competition, Rikki Jai, a former monarch, who had to settle for the second prize of $100,000 with his song, “Barman.”
In an interview with Newsday, Ravi B claimed that his chances at wearing the crown for another was “much better than last year’s.”
He explained that in last year’s competition he was “neck and neck” with Jai.
“In 2010, Barman had huge air play, which made for stiff competition, but this year, my three songs are doing much better than ‘Drinker’ did last year,” he said.
In December 2010, Bissember released his three contributions for the 2011 Chutney Soca Season, “Player,” “Whey Yuh Dey” and “Cya Come” which are currently burning up the local Chutney charts.
Speaking about his biggest hit for season, “Player,” produced by Big Rich, (Zaheer Khan) of the Pungalunks Factory, Ravi B explained that the inspiration for the song came from a fan.
“I was on Toronto last year and this young girl came up to me and asked if I was a player. She explained that most male artists had a reputation for having a lot of girlfriends. I told her that yes, I was a player: I played the keyboard, guitar and other musical instruments,” he laughingly remembered.
He said when he came back to Trinidad and Tobago, he decided to pen a song about the young lady’s question. When questioned about his year as the king of Chutney Soca, Ravi B said it was an “unforgettable ride.”
“It was not only about the reign, and enjoying the luxury which it brought. It was not only about carrying a crown. I learnt that every part of the world I went I had to represent chutney soca and Trinidad and Tobago. I now have to be careful of what I say, how I dress as everyone was looking at me. Being able to carry the title, professionally, was hard, but I was able to do it,” he said.
In November, 2010, Ravi B and his band, Karma, collected a whopping 18 awards at three separate ceremonies. On November 20 Karma won nine awards at the Chutney Foundation Awards Ceremony, held at National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA).
It was followed by five awards at 103 FM’s Hall of Fame Awards on November 23 at Queen’s Hall. The awards including Best Produced CD by a Local band, Best Chutney Collaboration, Courts Trini Hit, bmobile Trini Hit and Album of the Year that was 50 percent original. Karma also copped another three at the International Soca Awards, which was held on November 27 at NAPA.
Whilst the lead singer of the band was very appreciative of the awards, he believed that for him they mean that it’s time to work even harder.
“We’ve had a great year,” he admitted, “and I really have to thank God for blessing us with talent and giving us the strength and the encouragement to go out there and make people sing and dance and enjoy themselves. Of course, I must thank the fans as well, for without them, we would be nothing and you know we couldn’t do this without all our fabulous family members and faithful friends, who have stood by us and supported us throughout this journey.” Speaking about the 2011 Carnival season, Ravi B said Karma was booked to perform at 90 percent of all the Carnival fetes.
“Karma has broken all barriers between soca and chutney, and so the band cannot be considered a chutney band anymore as we go beyond. Karma is the only chutney oriented band which will be in almost all the soca fetes, beginning with WASA fete on January 29, going straight to the end of Carnival,” Ravi B said.
He explained that Karma will also be changing its repertoire to suit every fete it performs in, as “it is all about being in the event, and what our audience demands of us.” As such, Ravi B revealed that he has collaborated with his sister Nisha B, and soca singer, Skinny Fabulous on a Power Soca song, which will be launched shortly.
Ravi B also revealed that for the first time, Karma will be hosting a chutney soca concert at Guaracara park on Carnival Saturday
“This is something which I am really looking forward to doing. I will also be launching a new children’s song at that concert, which I am really excited about,” said Ravi B.
When asked if he has plans to change his signature look this year, especially his “mohawk” hairstyle, Ravi B said no.
Ravi B was well known for his hairstyle and extravagant “painted-on tattoos” during last year’s Carnival season.
“I am with my stylist at the moment, trying to come up with a new look, but so far we’ve decided that the mohawk will stay, as it was something which became my signature, and also, a lot of other artists are wearing it. I think I’ll keep it for another year,” he said.
Ravi B also warned his fans to be prepared for something new when he hits the stage for the 2011 Carnival season.
