Eye Unit: Chynee - They Wanna Be Like (Video)

This one comes from the winner of Synergy Soca Star Season 4. Chynee made quite a name for himself with his gimmicky performance of "They Wanna Be Like" last season. When I saw the resulting video, I have to admit I was impressed. The concept is one that I guarantee that you've never seen in a soca video before. Furthermore, attention to detail is evident in casting, costuming, photography direction, and location scouting. (Can you tell that I used to work in film and tv? LOL)

If you never watched Soca Star, the song itself may not grab you. It's pretty much a tune to introduce himself as an artiste. The content is not universal, and the vocals are passable but not perfect. That should in no way detract from this young artist's prowess as a performer. And in the business. Being a good ENTERTAINER is your bread, butter, ham and cheese. Feel me?

So...who wanna be like Chynee?




Love and Soca,


Nurse Karen

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The Rounds: Machel launches his first book, Boy Boy and the Magic Drum

Good Evening Soca Lovers,

I'm Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay's Rounds.  First, I want to wish all Grenadians a very Happy Independence weekend.  February 7^th marked 35 years since Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique officially became a nation. 

Cruising south in the Caribbean Sea, we hit Trinidad and Tobago.  The Carnival season is really starting to heat up with new results every day!  ...And we're off!  On Friday, season four of Synergy Soca Star came to a close with Richard "Chynee" Valentine taking the top prize. He performed "Carnival Bacchanal" with KMC in Round One to a screaming house, and really sealed the deal in round two with his solo performance of "They Wanna Be Like". Skinner Park sang along word for word, as the one called Chynee sang his way to victory.  He gets a bMobile recording contact and a brand new car.  Sounds like a great start to his new career.

Last night, the hot ticket in San Fernando was the 2009 Chutney Soca Monarch Finals. Ten acts took a shot at the crown, but it was first time finalist Kenneth Salick who would eventually be named the winner.  Salick has made it as far as the semis 3 times in years gone by, but this time around he took it all the way with Radica/Why You Gone.  The results were decided exclusively by mobile text messages from the general public.  So, the fans have spoken.  

Here's what they said.  In fourth place is visually impaired artist, Asha Kamachee, in third is Hunter with Jep Sting Naina.  Ravi B is runner up with Doolarie, and first...you already know that part.

On Wednesday, Machel Montano launched his first ever children's book, "Boy Boy and the Magic Drum" at Trinidad's National Library.   The fictional tale pays tribute to Trinidad and Tobago, as the nation that magically transformed dirty oil drums, into beautiful musical instruments.  Machel told the media that the project took him four years to complete, but he's already got plans for a second book called, "The Perfect Situation."  The pages of Boy Boy came to life yesterday afternoon in  a live musical presentation at the Jean Pierre Complex in Port of Spain.

I'm Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay's Rounds.  Check me out online at the Nurse Karen Etc blog at www.mustardseeds.net for video clips of the events mentioned tonight and RESULTS from the International Soca Monarch Semi-Finals, happening RIGHT NOW. Now, back to de docta!

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Eye Unit: Chynee's winning performances at Soca Star Finals (video)

So, there's a new Synergy Soca Star in Trinidad and Tobago.  If you live outside of Trinidad and would like to see if the guy is worth his mettle, here's the proof.

I found you a couple of clips to show you how he handled the stage on Friday night.

Performance #1 - Carnival Bashment (with KMC)

Performance #2 - They Wanna Be Like

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Booster Shot: Chynee is latest Soca Star!

Synergy TV crowned its 4th Synergy Soca Star earlier tonight at the Jean Pierre Complex.  Six finalisted duked it out on stage at Trinidad's Jean Pierre complex for a final shot at stardom in two competitive rounds.  Each act wowed the audience with two selections.  Round one featured soca covers tunes, backed by the original recording artist.  Round two showcased performances of previously unreleased selections.

By the end of the night, it was Richard "Chynee" Valentine who reigned supreme.  As, the season's winner.  Chynee walks away with a $30,000 bMobile endorsement deal and a new Diahatsu!  I'm told he gave a truly impressive perfomance, keeping the audience cheering aloud from start to finish.  In round one, he shared the stage with KMC to perform "Carnival Bashement", while round two  saw Chynee holding his own with "They Wanna Be Like".

Here are you final results for Synergy Soca Star, season 4.

1.  Chynee  / Richard Valentine - "They Wanna Be Like" 
2.  Trini Barbee / Sancha Scipio "Carnival Love" 
3.  Ayanna /Ayanna La Borde - "Demonstrate" 
4.  645 /Gregory Basso, Marvin Pollard and Johnson Greenidge - "Jaminal" 
5.  Steve & Chris / Steve Walcott and Christopher Mayer - "Soca Groove" 
6.  Ladies Man / Mark Eastman - "Ladies Man"

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