It’s never about the competition for soca artiste, Keith ‘Grabba Finesse’ Charles, but rather the vibe and energy that is generated whenever he performs.
Nonetheless, it would mean a lot to the ‘Place Tun Ova’ singer if he won the national Soca Monarch title this year.
“It would mean a lot to me and a lot to the people, and a lot to Vincy culture. Right now, everybody has been supporting me to the fullest, saying ‘boy Grabba, you should’ve gotten something from since so long’ so they’re always pushing so it would be a good vibe for the culture, good vibe for the people and good vibes for me,” Charles told SEARCHLIGHT in an exclusive interview this week.
Grabba was recently crowned Soca Monarch at the Georgetown Rural Soca Monarch competition, and placed second in the Soca Monarch competition in Barrouallie some weeks prior — both with his hit soca song, ‘Place Tun Ova’.
The artiste, who pens all his lyrics explained that the song he hopes to take to the national competition is an amalgamation of two thoughts; the changes that have and are taking place both locally and internationally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and last year’s volcanic eruption, and also the changes an individual goes through by taking part in the revelry that comes with the carnival season.
Charles has advanced to the national competition on two previous occasions and should he advance all the way through once again this year, he is trusting that God will “make something happen” that will allow him to add the title to his name.
But Jean-Claude ‘DJ Jeanie’ Patterson, producer of the Pandemic Road Riddim, which features ‘Place Tun Ova’, and one of two managers responsible for Grabba Finesse expressed with more certainty that his artiste has what it takes to be crowned the 2022 Soca Monarch.
“I’m very confident in his ability to win Soca Monarch. He just needs to go out on that night and execute as he always does. When Grabba touches a stage, you can see his passion for the art form, for performing, his presence on stage,” he said. “He’s at a pinnacle right now where he can transcend the local boundaries of St Vincent and the Grenadines and become a regional and international household name, so I have all faith and confidence in his ability to perform.”
DJ Jeanie, who has produced several popular songs, including ‘Leg up deh’ by Problem Child, ‘Never Forget’ by Skarpyon, and ‘Remove yuhself’ by Blaxx, described Charles as one of the most prolific writers in St Vincent and the Grenadines to date.
“He’s also very headstrong and difficult because the original format of ‘Place Tun Ova’ is not what you’re hearing on the radio today,” he told SEARCHLIGHT, adding that he worked his ‘genie’ magic on the track.
D.J Jeanie noted however that it took nothing away from what Grabba initially sent him.
The producer also took the opportunity to thank everyone who has been supporting both Grabba Finesse and the DJ- DJ Jeanie Digital Empire Studio brand through the years.
To the other artistes hoping to stake claim to the 2022 Soca Monarch title, Grabba Finesse says, “rock and come een”.
“It’s a different kind of movie, different kinda mas when we reach the stadium so lewwe play the mas. We need some competition, we need some challenge…so send in your music and lewwe touch down. Who mek it, mek it, and who aint mek it, next year we go ketch it,” the soca artiste said.
Persons looking to vibe with Grabba during Vincymas can find him performing at several events throughout the season, including H20 Soca, Brunch and Soca, Dirty Sexy Soca, Pumpin’ and the Flow Monday Band.
He is also scheduled for appearances in Grenada, Canada and the UK for Nottinghill Carnival later this year.
Promoters looking to work along with the artiste can send booking enquiries to d.empirebookings@gmail.com or contact his manager, DJ Jeanie via whatsapp number 1(264)235-9579 or Grabba himself at 1(784)431-7084.
