Showing posts with label Shyann Bailey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shyann Bailey. Show all posts

Q&A: Shyann Bailey - Your questions answered

>> Thursday, November 26, 2009



Who the heck is Shyann Bailey?  I'm sure I wasn't alone in asking that question around this time last year when I first heard the lyrics, "Squeeze me like a fruit, in the palm of your hands".  Trinidad Carnival 2009 was beginning to warm up, and a familiar, but unidentified female voice was steadily blasting out of my stereo speaker nearly every day.  I have to admit my surprise to tune into Soca 919 FM one morning to hear Shyann's in-studio interview where she expressed that she has been living an working here in Canada for years.  She was the voice behind "Leggo Mi Man"on Byron Lee and the Dragonaire's 2001 Soca Vibes album, and for 2009 Trinidad Carnival, she would be the female lead in Caribbean Traffik Jam.


I realized that I really didn't know enough about Shyann, and figured it might be a good idea to share what I learn with you.  Here's what I found out: 


Nurse Karen)  Soca music can be very thankless, what is your motivation for doing what you do?

Soca, just like any other genre of music has its own set of challenges but its an important part of my culture as well as my life. My love, my hopes and my aspirations for my culture is all the fuel I need for motivation.


Nurse Karen)  What is one thing your fans don’t know about you, but probably should?

My name is actually Shyann Bailey. Shayne has been marketed & promoted for some time now, but I will be using the correct spelling from now on.


Nurse Karen) What is the greatest moment of your career so far?

They’re two things that stand out. Having the legendary Byron Lee record "Leggo Mi Man" because he only chose those songs which deemed to be outstanding. ... The other was having the distinct opportunity to work with one of the greatest bands in the Caribbean Traffik for the entire 2009 Carnival Season.


Nurse Karen) Of all the songs you’ve worked on, which is your favourite?

There was an epiphany with Pure Sweetness, during the process of writing and voicing that song, I realize I really love what I'm doing, that’s writing songs to make people happy.


Nurse Karen) Who would you say is your greatest mentor in the business?

 My biggest mentor in this business would be The Mighty Shadow himself Winston Bailey as well as my sister Jasmine Bailey (a Jazz singer). It is truly a blessing to have such talent in the family.
I also have great admiration for always entertaining Mighty Sparrow, and Machel Mantano, his work ethic and dedication to perfection is living proof that Soca is ready for the world stage. I can’t find the words to describe the affect that Calypso Rose & Alison Hinds have had on me, from a entertainer as well as from a fellow woman’s perspective. They continue to be my models of what I should be as I continue to make my mark alongside my young, dynamic and powerful musical sisters like the lovely Patrice and the fantastic Fay Ann Lyons to name a few.


Nurse Karen)  Name an emerging artist you rate, and why?

Kees. He has all the tools needed to become one of the elite male Soca artistes.


Nurse Karen)  When you were small what did you want to do with your life?

As a child I always loved the attention I received for my out right personality, so I would say an actress maybe a comedian even a dancer or a writer , but never in my wildest  dreams would I have guessed I’d become a singer.


Nurse Karen)  Name one goal you have for yourself that you have not achieved yet.

I just want to have a happy life with a beautiful family, working hard to perfect my craft while stopping to smell the roses along the path that The Lord has paved for me.


Nurse Karen) Apart from the country you represent, what other Caribbean heritage is in your background?

Although known as Trinidadian, I was actually born in Tobago parented by a Barbadian father Ralph Beckles and a Grenadian mother Maureen Bailey.


Nurse Karen) Tell us a quote or word of advice that helps you through the rough times.

What help me through the rough times Is closing my eyes and telling The Lord Jesus Christ “I'm scared, you promise to take care of me, you told me you will never leave me in want & that you will always provide, well Lord its month-end and I got bills to paid so that big check you got for me needs to be western union before the first” Ha! Ha!, I'm just Joking, but the prayer part is true. My quote would be:”He’s never failed me yet. I know I'm going to make it.”


Nurse Karen) Do you listen to Soca from various islands? If so, which ones & what do you enjoy about it?

Yes, I do. Zoelah and Skinny Fabulous from St.Vincent, Berbice from Grenada, Ricky T from St. Lucia, Claudette and; Tizzy from Antigua. They really have some good music.

Nurse Karen) I hear you have a new tune coming out called "Daddy, I'm a bad girl".  What's that one about?


What can I tell you about that song girl, it speaks for itself when I did "Sweetness" with co writer Shaft (wicked writer - I love and respect him big up every time. You're one of the best. I thank you for blessing me with your writing I wish you all the best the sky is the limit for that brother), my dad turn to me and say gal you too nice nice, when you come to Trinidad you have to be wassy and dirty. Trinidadian like them thing, and besides you're too goody goody. So I would say it's a song to really tell the fathers out there is not that we goody goody is just that we respect them and what there eyes don't see, their heart don't grieve.




Nurse Karen) In Toronto we consider you one of our own, how do you feel about representing Canada in the soca world?  


To just be considered is very overwhelming, and I am proud to represent Canada wherever I go. I live here, and people sometimes forget we got talent too.


Nurse Karen) Is there anything I missed that you would like to add?



Well, I just want to say thanks for the interview. You're always welcome to call or anything pertaining to me. I love you and I thank you for your love and encouragement throughout my career and giving me the opportunity to let people know that everything I do is for everyone, that ever had a dream to make it just like I did. 

~ Shyann Bailey

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The Rounds: Soca Awards Cancellation, Results, Etc

>> Monday, November 16, 2009

Originally prepared for "Soca Therapy" on Flow 93.5 FM in Toronto, Sunday, November 15, 2009

- 2009 Soca Awards Cancelled (USA)
- Commentary on the results
- CEO of Caribbean Prestige Foundation quits! (Trinidad)
- Tempo Turns 4 (USVI)

Good Evening Soca Lovers,
I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. You have no idea how tired I am saying this, but I have some news about the Soca Awards. Last time I brought it up, it was to say that the event originally scheduled for October 30th, was being rescheduled for December 4th. And today, the story has changed yet again! The 2009 International Soca Awards has been cancelled due to what the organizers are citing as unforeseen circumstances.

The awards show has long been the target of heavy criticism in the industry due to often questionable judgments concerning nominations and the production quality of the events, as well as a general lack of transparency. So, the recent cancellation isn’t looking so hot. The results, HOWever, were published today. Winners are decided based on the results of online voting, which this year, SEEMS to have turned up a rather curious number of ties.


Nurse Karen and Fay-Ann Lyons (Toronto: May, 2008)

None the less, big congratulations goes out Machel Montano for his wins in six categories, and Fay-Ann Lyons and Skinny Fabulous who earned 5 awards each. A record number of Toronto’s own hometown stars, ought to be thankful to you the fans for your votes and support. Toronto-Lime.com, Shy-Ann Bailey, Slammer Cutter and Kerwin Du Bois are all winners today.


Kerwin Du Bois and Nurse Karen in Washingon, D.C. (January 2009)

...And just because I like to make trouble, I want to big up Madmen Productions for their Best Soca Compilation Rhythm award. LOL.  It must feel amazing to find out that you are winning awards for the Bus Stop Riddim, even though Bunji Garlin and Daryl Braxton produced it.WTF?!?  Maybe it was just a typo, but nice one guys! Maybe if I’m really lucky, I could win Best Actress at the Academy Awards next year.

It has been a wild week for soca. No one can deny that. Down in Trinidad the Caribbean Prestige foundation CEO quit this week. That’s the group that produces the International Soca Monarch Competition. It’s believed that a problematic press release is responsible for that one too. Gregory Fernandes, the CEO, held a press conference on Tuesday criticizing a Trini government policy that prohibits the hosting of cultural events, like Soca Monarch, in major sports arenas during the carnival season. The next day, the CPF told the media that his conference not only had nothing to do with them, but they also praised recent government initiatives in regards to cultural activities. Needless to say, Fernandes didn’t appreciate being made to look like a fool. So he’s gone, and it’s still unknown what venue will play host to Soca’s biggest competitive event in February 2010.

Nurse Karen and Iwer George in Toronto (February, 2009)


Speaking of big ticket events. MTV Tempo celebrated it’s 4th anniversary last night on the island of St. Croix. Representing the soca massive was De Boss, Iwer George, Ziggy Ranking, and local Road March Winners, the UMB Solidiers. Other than that it was full line up of Caribbean Stars in Salsa, Dancehall and Reggae.
I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. For more information on any of the items mentioned today, check me out online at Nurse dash Karen dot com or follow me, NurseKaren on Twitter. Now back to de Docta!

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Booster Shot: Soca Awards Announces 2009 Cast of Performers

>> Monday, October 5, 2009

Wanna know who will be bringing the entertainment at this year's Soca Awards in Turks and Caicos on October 30th?

The Soca Awards Organization still hasn't opened voting to the public, but they HAVE released the list of performers.  Ready?



Calypso Rose 

Denyse Plumber

Tizzy of El-A-kru

Skinny Fabulous

Ragga 

Winston "Gypsy" Peters 

Shyann Bailey 

Tallpree


Still no update on when the voting will begin, but you might as well check www.socaawards.com to check for yourself!


Love and Soca,

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The Rounds: Recognizing Achievement in Soca

>> Monday, September 28, 2009

Originally Aired on Flow 93.5 FM, "Soca Therapy" with Dr. Jay de Soca Prince


In this edition:
- Showing appreciation
- Antiguans pay homage to Claudette Peters
- DJ Tony Tempo joins Whoo Kid's DJ Fraternity
- Shal Marshall's B-day
- SAO Soca Awards nominees out
- UK Soca Music Awards last night

Good Evening Soca Lovers,
I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. This week the soca world took time out to show some appreciation. Even in Toronto, last night top mas bands Carnival Nationz and Louis Saldenah threw big appreciations fetes for their revellers.

Right now, this evening the Antiguan community in New York is getting together to recognize ITS own. Four time Party Monarch Claudette “CP” Peters was flown in to receive the Salome Drysdale award for her contributions to the development of Carnival, culture and the promotion of Antigua and Barbuda worldwide. The award, is given by the Antigua Progessives Society, a Harlem-based social organization that has served New York’s Wadadlian Community for the last seventy five years.


Tony Tempo and Nurse Karen at Soca Awards 5 in New York
Recently, Atlanta’s DJ Tony Tempo made a power move that he hopes will fly the soca flag higher. The mixmaster best known for his various soca remixes recently signed on to DJ Whoo Kid’s Shadyville DJ Fraternity. For the hip hop lovers out there, you know Whoo Kid as the official DJ of G-Unit. What you may not know it that he’s Haitian and has a passion for Caribbean music. Tony Tempo is first soca DJ to join the team.

While we’re on that subject, I may as well mention another popular DJ who celebrated a birthday just yesterday. I’m talking about Shal Marshall, who beyond being a popular radio and club DJ in Trinidad, is also a husband, father, and SOCA ARTIST. Happy Birthday Shall...Hope it was a good one.


Shal Marshall and Nurse Karen at UWI Splash 2009, Trinidad

The other big excitement this week was the announcement of the 2009 Nominees for the International Soca Awards. Please don’t get it confused with the ones happening in England tonight. As usual, some of the selections were a surprise even to me, but none the less, artists are getting excited about the voting which opens this week. Congratulations Tdot’s own Kerwin Du Bois, Shyann Bailey, Toronto-Lime dot com, and the Enforcas Soundcrew on their nominations.


Inside the Flow studio with Shyann Bailey

As for the UK Soca Music Awards, our fellow soca lovers got together this evening to honour top achievers in the industry at the 2nd annual Soca Music Awards. The audience paid forty pounds a ticket to see performance from the likes of Scrappy, Soca Johnny and Miss Desire. It’s nearly midnight there, so I would imagine most of the results are out, but YOU will have to visit Nurse Karen dot com for that.

I’m Nurse Karen and those were doctor Jay’s Rounds. For more information on any of the new items mentioned today, be sure to check out Nurse dash Karen dot com, or follow me...NurseKaren on Twitter. Now back to de Docta!

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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Booster Shot: Carnival Nationz is Band of the Year!

>> Sunday, August 2, 2009

Mas was maaaaaaaaaaaaad yesterday! I had so much fun on the road with Tribal Knights. The DJ's kept me moving all day, and the performances from Shyann Bailey and Skinny Fabulous turned out to be the icing on my carnival cake.

Had tons of fun with with family and friends, just wish the marshals would have studied the stormers a bit more the people's daughter bam bam and ting. Sadly...we didn't rule the road for Caribana the way we had hoped.


Here's who did!


1. Carnival Nationz - In Full Bloom, Fruits and Flowers
2. Louis Saldenah Mas K Club - A Tribute to Harold Saldenah
3. Toronto Revellers - Brasil, Bacchanal in Rio

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Eye Unit: Rap Artist Drake makes an appearance at White Out!

>> Tuesday, July 21, 2009

My carnival has begun! For me, when Dr. Jay throws his annual White Out party, the season is officially on. This year, I was strickly on personal vibes. These days, I seldom get to enter de party and jus leggo. Well, this time around I stuck to the plan. Went backstage to hail up Problem Child, Blaxx and Olantunji, then it was time to party.


Three days later my aching back and thighs are stick recovering! What a fete!

Shot you a couple of clips in between wines. You'll see Blaxx, Rita Jones, Olantunji Yearwood, Shyann Bailey and Problem Child, all backed by Roy Cape Allstars. Towards the end is a special treat. Toronto-bred hip hop phenom Drake passes through and touches the mic to send some greetings. Big up T-Rexx for controlling the MC duties for the urban part of the night.


Doh vex over the video quality. My liming spot at Koolhaus is to the very back right hand side. The view may not be the best, but the vibe is always sweet!

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