The artiste formerly known as Lil man is sounding warning to the other 15 competitors heading to Linden on January 31 for the Carib Soca monarch 2009 to “watch out…beware B-52 coming…the plane is about to land.”
After four years of not winning the title including two years of placing second the artiste told this publication that he is ready to claim the 2009 title by bring on a ‘Circuit over load.’
Though from his appearance the 29-year-old hit maker on radio and in the clubs is certain that he has the right formula this time around to be the monarch and says “the crown is mine… it’s long overdue.”
A fire man by profession, he explains that his song this year tells the story of “coming out to have fun.” He said too that his song is against negative vibes and will not tolerate anyone bringing such on the road or to the country anymore. He said “my lyrics are clear that anybody try to stop me will get a shocker.”
The Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara resident entered the competition in 2005 and placed eight with his “instruction time,” then he offered an “invasion” in 2006. “One for the road” followed in 2008he was the “fireman.”
‘Circuit overload’ he said “this song has a good drive, everything is just falling into place and I have that feeling.”
Explaining his confidence the versatile singer said over the years he has developed his abilities and has evolved. “I know I’ve gotten better over the years thanks to my manager Burchmore Simon and while I still have a far way to go I will put the experience of last four years into one show, “he said.
The artiste who pens all of his songs through various inspirations says he draws on the live performances of Trinidad Soca monarchs and Machelle Montano, Bunji Garlin and Sherwayne Winchester through whom he has learnt how to create the competitive hype and energy.
Of the competition he has no plan to take any of the artistes lightly because as he says “on the given night anybody can win so I’m bringing it.. Who has competition titles of first three time junior calypso monarch 2002-2004 when he gave it up to enter the senior competitions and whiel he has not been able to place among the top five he has always made it to the finals. At in search of a star in 2001 his winning tool was 98 degrees I do cherish you.
Speaking of the local Music industry he said “it has evolved and to me we can now give the Caribbean a romp because now people call you for your music to play on radio and in dance halls. It’s just for the Corporate Citizens to show more interest and the pirating shops to have more respect for intellectual property while the decision makers work out laws to stop pirating because we have to live.”
Aspiring to bring Guyana a Grammy by climbing as high as possible in the music industry he is confident that “I’m gonna make it because I have the capabilities and my manager makes sure we push and keep at it so in five years anything is possible.”
Aside from being in the competition this artiste has released hits the like of “Wine and touch yah to, Soca music nice, Can’t stop you, latest on eth Teasum rhythm “Can I Take you home with me,” Fire man
He credits his father Rudyard Levans a retired Police Chief Inspector for giving him his initial musical training while his grandfather is the late Shanto singer Edward ‘Guitar’ Levans.
Message to aspiring musicians: If at first you don’t succeed try again and again and do it because it’s what you love… the fame and the money will eventually come as you get because “I like my own identity because and people recognize that your own identity says something new is happening that is not an imitation… I have learnt from artistes but I don’t ever try to imitate them.”