Album Spotlight: "The Difference" by CalJ

I take this opportunity to introduce you to Calden James, more popularly known as CalJ. You may think that CalJ is an abbreviated form of his name; however, CalJ shared that it means "Calling All Legends – Just Me." 

This young and talented artist is from the British Virgin Islands and has roots in Dominica and St. Kitts and Nevis. I heard CalJ on ZBVI Radio on Saturday, March 19, 2022, being interviewed about his latest album, "The Difference." So, I reached out to him to learn more. 

 

His Story

CalJ told me that he always felt that music was always in him but "it wasn’t as bright as yet.” He started rapping around age 13, but when he turned 14, he said he was “given a voice.” CalJ admitted that he sounded like a seagull at that age, but he kept singing. He recalled that his mother would ask him to stop singing. However, he kept honing his craft, and eventually, people told him that he sounded like John Legend. 

 

First Performance

He first performed for an audience at a Ms. Fifth Form pageant in 2013/2014. CalJ expressed that Kamau Georges, artist, producer, and music teacher at the time, encouraged him to perform at the show. He performed “Ordinary People” by John Legend.

 

First Song 

CalJ’s first song was "She’s Not You," produced by Kamau Georges.

"The Difference"

CalJ related that he chose this title because he is an example of difference. He referred to his roots in BVI, Dominica and St. Kitts and Nevis. He also chimed in that this album contains music infused with various styles, and it reflects his ability to switch flow and accents. He promised a different flavor for every song. The album is available on all streaming platforms. 

 

1. “Paradise” featuring GNDOE

R&B/Afrobeat

Producer: GNDOE

Lyric Snippet: Hook - “Baby, you so far, could you come a little closer, I just want to take you over, to a place called paradise, make sure you satisfied, you got me falling for you – I’m clumsy, baby I can use your company, in a place called paradise, make sure you satisfied” 

 

2. “Must Win”

R&B/Hip Hop

Producer: Skychasers

Lyric Snippet: “I just got down on my knees and prayed to the sky, strapped on my wings so I could fly, I’m just sick and tired of seeing my momma cry, I had to go and hustle to come out of the struggle”

 

3. “Cutting Ties” featuring Skipp Znero

Trap

Producer: Dupree Beatz

Lyric Snippet: “They trying to drain all my energy, all of my haters are enemies, they won’t stop til it’s the end of me, I had to put them in the cemetery, bury them ….”

 

4. “On the Edge”

Reggae/R&B

Producer: GNDOE

 

5. “Favorite Place”

R&B

Producer: GNDOE

 

6. “Ready or Not” featuring Dave from the Grave

Producer: Skychasers

Lyric Snippet: “I’ve been watching you from way across the room, and you’ve been looking so nice that I just had to talk to you, the way you call me boo, the way you dripping sauce too, when I say baby you looking nice, she say that ain’t nothing new, you know the type of girl I’m talking bout, she make the handicapped walk it out....”

 

Shout Outs

CalJ recognized his family, especially his sister, and his fans who encourage and motivate him. He shared that Productions by Reset, operated by Chaurbin Smith, engineered “The Difference.” CalJ also highlighted Skipp Znero, formerly KevyKev who performed with him in high school in Top Class Entertainment, Dave from the Grave, and GNDOE, who all played a role in this album for vocals or production.

 

Who CalJ Listens To

CalJ likes Drake and Lil Wayne, but he thoroughly enjoys legendary R&B artists such as James Brown and Michael Jackson. For reggae, he listens to Tarrus Riley and Beres Hammond. He added that these artists inspire him to improve his lyrics.

 

A Word from CalJ

 CalJ says:

• “I share my music for me and for people who want to listen to my style.”
• “I want to drop a song that has a lasting effect.”
• “My aim is to hit on the charts and to stay on the charts.”
• “I’ve been pushing my music hard.”

Favorite Track

CalJ chose two tracks, “On the Edge” and “Cutting Ties.” He loves the contrast between the tracks - hearing him sing and then trap music. He was proud to share that we can experience two vastly different performances from him on his two favorite songs.

 

Advice for Young people

•  “Be real about your music because the more you keep capping – somebody is going to test you about your lyrics.” 
• “Speak positive vibes in your lyrics so positive can return to you because negative lyrics will cause negative effects”

What Would You Do Differently

“I would make more connections – I had too much pride. Don’t be scared to ask for help – don’t be afraid to connect with people.” 

 

What can fans can look forward to:

• Three to four more singles to come soon
• Next album later in 2022
• Some soca and riddims coming soon

Music Videos

CalJ is currently working with Nobleink on his music videos. The first video will be for “On the Edge.”

Producer Spotlight: D'JorfromWhim - His Story and Music

Music comes to life with vocals, instruments, and lyrics. We dance and sing along, but we do not think about the background work involved in putting a song together. I have written about numerous artists and their albums, but this blog post is about D’JorfromWhim.

Who is D’JorfromWhim
D’Jor Baptiste, also known as D’JorfromWhim, is a producer and audio engineer from Whim in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. His family has made significant contributions to the Virgin Islands music scene. D'Jor's relatives include his father, Deanroy Baptiste, his uncle, the late Alwyn Baptiste, Sr. of the Express Band, and his cousin, Alwyn Baptiste, Jr., also known as Daddy Jones. These musicians helped to modernize the sound of Virgin Islands soca and calypso into the groovy sound that we enjoy today.

The Journey
D’Jor shared that his musical roots started in soca and calypso when he was seven (7) years old. As he got older, he would create instrumentals or what we call ‘riddims’ for soca songs. However, as he matured, he shifted his focus to hip hop in 2014 because he always enjoyed the genre. Also, he switched because he wanted to create what people preferred to listen to all year round.

At first, he focused on making beats, and as he grew in the business, he learned to be a producer. By working with his brother and as he continued to hone his craft, he became an audio engineer. When I asked if he raps or writes lyrics, he quickly said he focuses on the beats, but he has added content to lyrics on a small scale. D’Jor has the resources for professional studio recording and has worked with numerous artists.

Creative Energy
This producer shared that when he is working with the beats, he feeds off the energy in the studio, which he calls his “mood room.” D’Jor shared an experience when a friend in the studio was shaking a marker. The sound inspired him, and he immediately went to his equipment and within five (5) minutes, he created a beat.

First Song Produced
The first song he produced was King Ponche’s “Blue Benjis,”  which was later remixed to feature Kapo Di’kaprio.

Discography Snapshot

• April 20, 2017: He released “Whim” under the Beach Gang label featuring Nyce, Winny2Cool, MugZee, Bentley Bell, Imho Dan, Kapo Di’Kaprio, Rose, King Diesel and Rayo Dan.
• June 5, 2020: “Flexing” was released with seven (7) tracks featuring Nyce, 2Klip340, Kid Sparta, TizZi TizZi, Rayo Dan, Dingo, Wil, and Guzzo.
• April 20, 2021: “4-20” included Uncle Mundo, King Ponche, TBMG Rose, Winny2Kool, and Dan Dadda.
• April 20, 2021: “Whim 2” included Kay Kay, Uncle Mundo, Rose, Koda Kvng, King Ponche, 2Klip340, Rudeboy Brow, Wil4romcruz, AP OG, and Dan Dadda.
• August 13, 2021: He produced a five (5) track EP for Dan Dadda titled “Lil Medi.” 

Upcoming Work
D’Jor shared that he has unreleased work that will be released soon.

• “Deluxe Edition” album to be released soon
• Another mixtape is coming before the end of March 2022
• He also has new work coming soon with Ponche, TBMG Rose and Uncle Mundo

After consistently releasing new work on April 20 since 2020, D’Jor promised new music on April 20, 2022.

Advice from D’Jor to Youths Wanting to Get into Music
"Be You. Eliminate having a goal - a goal puts a roof over your success when the sky is the limit."

Musician and More
In addition to producing music, D’Jor owns and manages Gwan Mannyè, a restaurant that serves contemporary Caribbean cuisine. His uncle suggested the name, which has creole origins. It has several meanings: good eating, good living or everything positive.

POEM: Seeing the Similarities

Light and dark

Contrasts with similarities

Open the passage to clarity

But without the vagueness of insanity

Or the vengeance of vanity

Because I’ve shifted focus

on building my capacity

while watching the earth in its entirety

because I can’t tune the opacity

and you never forgave my senility

My naivety and lack of sincerity

Development is risky

And with no vision, the ground is shaky

Do you see how the bird’s feathers are silky?

It is easy to sit in the contrast

When you don’t see the similarities

© Linette Rabsatt

Album Spotlight: Excuse My Accent 2 by King Ponche

“They pushing vibes,

I could feel the energy,

I was blind to it now I can see,

if ain’t broke don’t fix it,

I rather keep my distance,

they don’t see my vision”

King Ponche performs these lyrics in “Pushing Vibes,” a song on his latest album, Excuse My Accent 2. He is an artist from St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands. 

How King Ponche Started in Music
King Ponche wrote poetry while he attended school. Then around 2012, he linked with Teh’ron Tull, who encouraged him to record his performances. He considered music a hobby; however, he became inspired as people showed interest in his songs. King Ponche’s first song was “Ambition.” In 2015, he released his first album, Trap Paradise.

Excuse My Accent 2
Every Caribbean native who has visited or migrated to the United States can relate to Americans asking about our accent. King Ponche shared that he also had similar experiences because his Crucian accent is strong. He released Excuse My Accent in 2018 with 20 tracks.

The follow-up Excuse My Accent 2 has 11 tracks, which were all written by King Ponche. He recorded some tracks himself and some with Big A Prado. King Ponche shared that Excuse My Accent 2 offers a flavor of trap, rap, melodic, money music and R&B.

1. “L.O.A.D” (“Life of A Don”)
Producer: SDProductionzVI
Lyric snippet: “I hot like I catching a fever, trendsetter, money maker, n***a, I a leader, spin on the block in a Beamer, ducking an dodging the reaper, straight out the projects, I need a deposit if you trying to talk cause I talking bout business….”

2. “Harden” 

Producer: Emkay
Lyric snippet: “I can’t relate cause we don’t have nothing in common, I don’t forgive and I don’t give too many chances, if he flossing then my cuzzy going to extort him, how you a killer, dog and ain’t no bodies dropping….”

3. “Shadows”
Producer: SDProductionzVI
Lyric snippet: “Pocket watching, knock yo eye out the socket. This sh*t could get tragic. Deep in the projects with all the assassins. Sh*t could go left you don’t know what could happen.”

4. “Ain’t Safe” featuring DahReal Kmoney
Producer: BeatzOnLockdown
Lyric snippet: “I so fly – got a bird’s eye view, I just wanna be a young tycoon, when it come to the hate, I immune, they just mad cause we never does lose….”

5. “Catch Myself”
Producer: SahBeats
Lyric snippet: “I remember times I would sleep on the floor, had to hustle like never before, I too busy, catch me on the go, I be high but I move on the low….”

6. “Pushing Vibes”
Producer: Polack

7. “Hold It Down”
Producer: DJorFromWhim
Lyric snippet: “Only loyal n***as in my camp, they will light you up just like a lamp, when it’s time, I don’t step, I does stamp, them n***as confused looking ranks….”

8. “Top Shelf” featuring 2Klip340
Producer: Animeted
Lyric snippet: “I don’t smoke what you smoke, that s**t gyab, I got different flavors by the bag, top shelf all I smoke is gas”

9. “Sacrifices”
Producer: Greytest & Kyd Ace
Lyric snippet: “They don’t see the struggle, they only see when you shining, had to switch it up, I had to make some sacrifices, seeing is believing, but love for you made me blind, let my feelings get the best of me, that might be the death of me….”

10. “Prayed Up”
Producer: JGotMelodyz
King Ponche shared that this track is a relatable song about how people go through different things.
Lyric snippet: “I perfecting my craft, I try not to stress, cause life goes on, it be moving so fast, don’t get lost in the sauce, now I in 1st place but I started in last….”

11. Don’t Forget Me featuring VI Jo
Producer: Ant Chamberlain
Lyric snippet: “You say love me but you got n***as on the side, I shoulda know cause you showed me all the signs, that mean that everything you told me was a lie, you did me wrong but all I did was treat you right….”

Where to Find Excuse My Accent 2
You can find this album on all streaming platforms: Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify, etc. Visit his Link Tree. 

Shout Outs to Persons Who Assisted with Excuse My Accent 2
King Ponche gave a special shout out to SD Productions VI, producer for “L.O.A.D.” and “Shadows.” In addition, SD Productions VI, a long term acquaintance, created the cover art.

King Ponche’s Favorite Track on Excuse My Accent 2
King Ponche’s favorite track is “Sacrifices.” According to him, “in life, you have to make sacrifices” regardless of the various trials, tribulations and milestones.

Facts You May Not Know About King Ponche

• King Ponche is an audio/sound engineer and producer.
• The artist he listens to most is Future.

Music Videos
King Ponche already released a music video for “Shadows” and one for “Sacrifices” is coming soon.

Advice to the Youth Wanting to Get in the Music Business
King Ponche advises:

• “Anything is possible - just put your mind to it”
• “Before you sign off on anything, make sure the business is right.”
• “The music is a plus but to make income and to get the music out there – you have to get the music right.”
• “Do you and be yourself.”

Upcoming Projects
King Ponche asked that we stay tuned to his social media pages for his upcoming projects.

POEM: A Michael Jackson Story

He said "Billie Jean is not my lover"

but Annie was upset

No matter how he asked,

"Annie, are you ok?"

She was not having it

He said "The kid is not my son"

People always 

"Wanna be starting something"

but all she said was

"Remember the time"

and he knew she was fed up

He tried to be a "Thriller"

but she only believed what

she saw in "Black and White"

He kept pleading

"I just can't stop loving you,"

"I'll be there,"

It's just "Human Nature,"

those other people

"They Don't Care About Us"

but this "Pretty Young Thing"

only wanted to "Scream"

She said look at the

"Man in the Mirror,"

you'll see a "Smooth Criminal"

"The way you make me feel"

is "Dangerous"

I want to "Rock with you"

but you better 

"Leave me alone"

or there will be

"Blood on the dance floor"

You are "Bad"

because at night

"You are not alone"

I remember when

"Love never felt so good"

and when I would say

"Don't stop till you get enough"

but now I need someone

to "Heal the world"

that I live in

© Linette Rabsatt