ON this International Women’s Day, the Eastern Caribbean Collective Organization of Music Rights Inc. (ECCO) has decided to pay tribute to three of its outstanding female members, entertainers who have made their mark locally and regionally as singers and recording artistes.
Selected for honours this time are three-time Calypso Monarch MenellDelice along with Claudia Edward and ChryceeMusique.
ECCO General Manager Steve Etienne said the organization felt compelled to honour the trio of singers this year for the progress that they had made in the entertainment industry while taking their talents beyond the boundaries of St Lucia.
Menell, having won three titles in eight years, with her powerful, sultry voice is Saint Lucia’s undisputed “Queen of Calypso.”
In 2007 Menell collaborated with experienced calypso writer Nahum “Happy” Jn Baptiste, who penned the calypso tribute to the then Prime Minister Sir John Compton who fell sick before the carnival season. This calypso “Holding On” was an instant hit, filled with the emotions and feelings of Saint Lucians and how they felt about the “Father of the Nation.
“Holding On” had captured the nation and Menell needed a second song and Happy wrote “Pass it on” and this allowed Menell to reach the finals. Her hit “Holding On” was a crowd favourite and it ensured that Menell secured her first title becoming the third female to wear the calypso crown.
During the finals in 2011 she outperformed her competition with “Two Toms” and “Rebellious Youth” and won her second calypso crown. Menell had arrived, she became the only female calypsonian to win two crowns and once again proved herself to be a cut above the rest.
Later that year, Menell represented Saint Lucia at the Euphony Regional Female Calypso in Montserrat. She sang “Rebellious Youth” and “Pass it on” and won her first regional calypso crown. It appeared that Menell had finally delivered her true potential as a calypsonian.
During the independence anniversary celebrations three years ago, the government of Saint Lucia conferred upon Menell the Saint Lucia Medal of Merit Gold (SLMM) for her contribution to music.
In 2013 she won her third crown with “Happy” Jn Baptiste’s songs “Kenny is King” and “So So Love”. Menell once again reigned supreme with her excellent vocal abilities and performing skills combined with Jn Baptiste’s finely written calypsos.
Menell’s most recent release is her independence song for 2015 entitled “Our St. Lucia” which has received great reviews.
Claudia Edwards writes most of her material and has collaborated with renowned St. Lucian musicians Ronald “Boo” Hinkson, Christopher Neil, T. C. Brown, regional artistes “Bad Gyal Cecile” of Jamaica, Michele Henderson of Dominica as well as famed music producer Jonathan Waller of the United States.
She has performed in Barbados, Costa Rica, New York (Labour Day), Grenada (Spice Jazz) and in neighbouring Martinique, to name a few.
Edwards toured Europe with Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott as lead singer for his band and played the main female role of Helen of Troy in his play “The Odyssey”
Claudia said: “Music is a powerful tool that I use to express myself. I love being on stage and letting the music speak through me”.
Claudia is just back from a four-month stint in Thailand (this is her second year in Asia) and is getting set for the St. Lucia Jazz Festival and working on her third album with producers like Leebo, Christopher Neil and Rossi.
She added: “Also I have broadened my scope in terms of song writers and have gotten material from Hunte, Neil and others. She has released a single called “Never make a good girl cry” produced in New York by Neil and is working on some music videos to be released in a few weeks.
ChryceeMusique is a talented, soulful singer/songwriter, recording artiste and performer, with an undeniable passion for music. Growing up with a DJ father, Chrycee was constantly exposed to music of all genres. From as way back as a tot—makeshift mic in hand!—she’d imitate the melodious voices of internationally acclaimed artistes, glimpsing to and developing her obvious talent.
In December 2013, Chrycee had two sensational performances in Cayenne, French Guiana. Shortly after, in April 2014, she received the prestigious honour of being specifically selected from a number of submissions to perform at the 2014 Tobago Jazz Experience. Chrycee performed at the culminating Beach Jazz Fiesta on Sunday April 27, 2014, opening for Keyshia Cole and Earth, Wind and Fire. To date she has released eight singles, which showcase not only her vocal range and soulful voice but her unique songwriting, versatility and wit, with releases ranging from R& B to Jazz, Caribbean Groove and Lovers Rock Reggae.