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I was fortunate to speak with Rupert Clarke, aka Rupee, and he gave me his take, as a soca artist, on the latest developments in a fast-developing soca world.
From the albums that you have produced thus far, which one has been your favourite?
I would say it has to be 1 on 1. One of the most important reasons why I say this is because producing this one didn’t involve the usual setbacks, financial hassles and restrictions in terms of distributing the music. Having the Atlantic label behind this album has helped me, as I can now branch out and reach a wider audience, and it allows me to stretch myself musically even further.
Do you write your own material, and if so, from where do you
draw your inspiration?
I write all my music and I think that it is necessary. I’m not trying to dis other artists, but for myself I feel that making this contribution means that the material is more believable and realistic.
My inspiration comes from many sources and events that happen around me. I could be leaving my hotel room and smell a woman’s perfume … or it could be about two men arguing. Of course there have been major events that have occurred in my life, such as both my parents dying from HIV; this gave me the inspiration to write Always Be There and You Never Know.
Is your latest album going to be your contribution for the upcoming Trinidad Carnival and the next Crop Over in Barbados?
Well, yes, but I also want to get away from producing music only for events that happen at one point in the year. I think that we soca artists need to get away from this and send out our music all year round. Saying that, I want everyone to absorb my latest contribution and hope they will still be enjoying it by the time the next Crop Over comes.
Do you think that you will be at Trinidad Carnival 2005, or will your new contract with Atlantic restrict you?
It is almost impossible to say if I will make it to Trinidad Carnival because my schedule is crazy. I will try to make it. However, Crop Over is a must!
Will your music continue in the same vein or will there be any differences in what we hear?
The way the deal has worked with Atlantic is that I have 100% full control of what I produce. I can put together exactly what I want and I always like to experiment with different music. I have such a diverse musical background - that comes from my mother and father - from Bob Dylan to Bob Marley. I will be making music and mixing it with rock, ragga, and with soca.
Will your music be made for your existing fans that have supported you over the years, or will you now start to court a different audience?
From the beginning I have written with an honest pen, a universal pen which has meant that my music has transcended the traditional (soca) style. But home (Caribbean) audiences will always come first. Beyond this, though, the benefit of having signed with Atlantic means that I will be able to distribute my material to a wider audience.
To use a tired cliché, would I be correct in saying that soca music is going from strength to strength?
Yes. But importantly you must understand that now I am backed by a label that is committed and has a genuine interest in soca music. When Kevin Lyttle made the tune Turn Me On, they knew that soca was really making waves around the world. Things are changing rapidly!
You’ve mentioned Atlantic several times; what are they like to work with?
Ah, man! Prior to signing, everyone was nervous, but this is an amazing label to work with. There is no better place for me to be. They have a genuine love for the music and there is no type of exploitation whatsoever. All the staff come like family and are really genuine. They are into it wholeheartedly; from the guys in the UK branch to those in the US, they have all been really good to me.
How did the signing to Atlantic happen?
Well as you know, there has been a great resurgence of dancehall over the past few years, and now the big players like Sean Paul and Elephant Man have really started to open people’s eyes to music from the Caribbean. They (the record labels) could see that the lines between all our music are very thin, and that helped Kevin Lyttle get signed. So the record companies were saying “Who next?” He (Kevin) really paved the way for artists like me.
There was also a buzz around my name, and Radio Toronto 103.5, who usually play dance music, started to play my stuff - and before you know it I went to number one! The funny thing was that this station doesn’t play to 100% West Indian listeners, so my music was obviously appealing to a wider audience!
My manager, Van Gibbs, a well known name in the industry, began to look around at different record labels, and after talks with Sony and Universal we decided that Atlantic were by far the right label for us. That’s how
it happened.
How did the name for your new album, 1 on 1, come about?
Well, I wanted to give the idea that people who listened to my music would be able to step into my shoes and understand where I am coming from. It’s like the conversation that I am having with you. I’m telling a story, letting you hear my experiences and my thoughts. The music creates a ‘1 on 1’ connection with my audience
Are there any other individuals you would especially like to mention as contributing to your success?
Oh, definitely. I’d like to mention Chris Allman (producer), from Slam City, who helped me with the bulk of the material on the titles Helpless, If I Can’t Have You, 1 on 1 and Crime of the Century. Also, there’s Darron Grant (producer), from Underground Studios, who assisted me with Tempted to Touch, and Peter Coppin, my producer from Monstapiece. Also there’s Salaam Remy, a West Indian producer who has been influential in RnB, who played a big part in my success.
What was your experience in the UK like this year?
It was fantastic, and the people here really reminded me of the folks back home in Barbados. I was at the Base Lounge, and I have never seen anything like it before. The people responded brilliantly to my music. I would like to gives some props to the backing band that night - they were brilliant.
Will we see you performing alongside other artists in the future?
Most definitely! I would like to blend my music by working with other artists. I always like to make new fusions, but I will do this together with some 100% soca, to balance things out.
Any new talent we should look out for?
Well, you have many coming up at the moment. There is a guy named Sugar Daddy from Tobago, another called Statement who has really come forward as a ragga soca artist, and H20 Flo from Trinidad. So, as you can see, we have a lot of talent from the region catching the listeners’ ears.
Do you have a message to give your fans out there?
Yes. I just want the West Indian massive to come out and enjoy themselves. At the end of the day, some of my subject matter may be slightly negative (about my mother being abused, etc), but my objective is to draw on these experiences and turn it into positivity. My music is to serve as an upliftment to the people. If your head is down, I want you to forget your problems and worries … listen, soca music, it is the happiest music in the world!
And a final message to the rest of the world…
I not new but true! Many people think that I have just come out of nowhere but I have been performing for years with my band, Dotcom. As a performer during that time it has been my bread and butter. With my new deal I will be penetrating new markets. This way the entire world will be able to enjoy my music. The new album is a mixture of pure soca, ragga soca and an acoustic vibe. It’s like cook-up rice with all the different ingredients that serves up something for everyone.
Finally Rupee, I would like thank you for giving up your time to speak to us here at Soca News.
No problem …we can’t exist without you guys.
You serve as our mouthpiece.
Thank you Rupee, for adding some of your original flavour to soca music.
You can check out Rupee's Tempted to Touch video no.999 on Channel U (Sky 437). |
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