Veeshal KI Persad taking chutney music to another level
Saturday, March 26 2011

TRINIDAD NEWSDAY - By SEETA PERSAD - He was the youngest competitor at the recently concluded Chutney Soca Monarch finals at Skinner Park San Fernando. Veeshal KI Persad was able to beat 11 other contestants, placing third in a keen competition.

"I chose a song that had a positive message and one that was reaching the people out there," the performer said. The song, “No More Rum Again” made people take a different look at rum drinkers as the singer urged his partner to stop drinking because it can bring a lot of unwanted grief in life. The song was a chart topper on several cross-over radio stations in TT.

As the son of one of this country’s gifted musicians and music director, Veerendra Persad, KI as he is known, was born into a life filled with music. He could not escape the echoing rhythms of chutney, soca and Bollywood tunes. Today, at age 24 he has emerged as one of the most sort after singers/musicians for his contribution to the artform within a three-year period. He performs with his father in the award winning orchestra, JMC 3Veni. The younger Persad is a keyboardist, drummer and front line singer. His recordings include “Bumpah,” “Tek He Gyul,” “Tu Mujhe,” “Curry Back,” “We Coming” and “Catch Meh Lover.”

In 2010 KI placed fourth in the Chutney Soca Monarch competition with “Catch Meh Lover.” This year, placing third proved that he has indeed captivated more fans and he is getting better at the art. Although he didn’t win the competition, he won the hearts, support and respect of the people who saw him worldwide.

He has already started his plans for Chutney Soca Monarch 2012. "I am in the music. I have no other job than the music. My entire life surrounds, playing and creating new rhythms for the tunes produced by the band. Having said that, I feel I have the expertise to be able to capture the monarch in due course," he said smilingly. KI looks up to his father for inspiration saying the senior Persad is the driving force behind his career in music. His main aim and ambition remains to personally interact with people and entertain to the best of his ability.

KI was the first to win Children of Mastana and this was a start of good things to come. He went on to win Best Crossover Artiste of the Year Award and Peoples Choice at the International Chutney Soca Music Awards 2010. His treasured moments thus far as a musician are playing alongside Brian McKnight, Kunal Ganjawala and Jagged Edge in Europe.

His advice to youth and young artistes is to stay positive, be smart, do it with your heart, and make music your passion. "You must love it before it can happen to you," he said.

KI and 3Veni will be heading abroad to perform at several shows, including the Canada Summer Tour where they will perform in Missisauga, Brampton North/Downtown Toronto.