Virgin Islands Music Spotlight: Who is Ramon G?

Ramon G

I had the pleasure of having an insightful discussion with Ramon George, a multi-talented Virgin Islands musician. He shared his journey, inspirations and many gems of wisdom for the youth. These are his words!

 
Who is Ramon G?
Ramon G is a young Virgin Islander, and when I say Virgin Islander, I don't choose sides because I'm from both of them. I was born and raised in St. Thomas, USVI. I've been more or less the same person since I was a little boy. It has always been a natural thing to be in front of a camera or on a stage. I used to play in Rising Stars Steel Orchestra. For Christmas, the band would have young conductors and I was one of them. I think I’m comfortable with performing, thanks to my mother, Joann George, and my father, the late great Elvino ‘Sifu’ George, well-known for the holiday song, “Santa Send Me.” I used to play a lot of sports before and eventually, the music just caught up on me and it never let me go.

"One musical masterpiece at a time"

Who is the team behind Ramon G?

The team behind me is MAZE, which stands for Music from A to Z, and Blaxsmith Entertainment - Ramon G and others. Blaxsmith Entertainment is the entertainment company that I started while I was in prison. Music is in the blood; despite the situation, you must have an outlet to express yourself and chart your future. We also have 420 Productions, which consists of Kevin Sweeney, Kerry Nichols, Marvin Williams, and me. Another partner is Noble Ink, owned by Jordan Lewis. He is a marvelous keyboardist and awesome with the camera. If you want quality stuff, check Jordan at Noble Ink. We have our businesses and support each other. While the team is tight-knit, we also work with other producers. We have some upcoming projects that will showcase talent from around the world.

My father always told me that I have two hands so I must ensure that I can do more than one thing. That's something that I stress to the young ones coming up. We try to ensure they know about boating, sports, entertainment, and recording arts. We are a self-taught team and I think it’s important that we pass on the knowledge. We like to call ourselves "a Swiss army knife" because we can do a lot of things.

"God is the captain of the ship. It can't be without God at all."

What inspired you to get into music?
My father, ‘Elvin’ Sifu George was my biggest inspiration. I am also inspired by my son, who helped change my life. His birth was probably one of my best moments. It’s wonderful to see a child being so much of both parents. It's amazing to watch him grow.

We know you as a Soca star. Do you dabble in other genres?
I have some gospel and reggae songs. We play everything, but soca is just in the blood. Soca is very dear to our hearts because it’s our rhythm. That's our frequency as Caribbean people. You might like jazz more than soca, but there's an African rhythm and a frequency knitted in there. We are naturally attracted to it.

Eventually, I will spread my wings and put out other music styles. Right now, we focus on soca because I feel that we have to start with home first and that’s home, as the Caribbean. I think it's time for the Caribbean to show the world that we are more than just coconuts, palm trees, and pretty beaches. We have people like Machel Montano, Kes the Band and at home, Pumpa, Adam O, Jougo, Dirky, myself and so many others.

In one of my upcoming projects, my set was all R&B songs and I’ve been singing in a choir. When I was incarcerated, I was the leader of a group called Project X and we never sang any soca songs until Christmas. Project X was created so that the inmates could have an outlet to express themselves positively.

"I don’t want to be classed as just a Soca artist."

What instruments do you play?
I play drums, keyboards, bass guitar, anything percussion. Drums are the last instrument I learned to play. I’m more comfortable on the stage than on the drums. I’ve drummed for Mr. Killa and many other artists.

What would you say has been your greatest musical achievement so far?
It would be coming from behind the drums and gaining the courage to write songs and put them together. Transforming into an artist has been the greatest achievement for me so far.

The first Soca Monarch competition had popular competitors like JJ, Pascal, TeeJay, Jimbob, and others. I wasn’t a newcomer because I played background roles for a long time.

I've been making some moves and waves in different area codes. I was able to perform in Tobago alongside bigger artists and it was a very special opportunity. I look forward to doing more of that. There’s going to be more of Ramon G coming very soon. I already have three songs out for 2025.

"Winning Soca Monarch in Tortola was a big deal."

So who do you listen to?
I listen to different genres. I consider myself a spiritual listener. I don't let my feelings dictate what I listen to. My mantra is “You can only be productive when you put yourself in a productive environment to achieve exactly what you're trying to achieve.” When I’m on the water, it’s about the island vibe so that’s time for soca or afrobeat for a mellow mood. That type of music is great when it’s hot outside to keep the energy up. When the sun sets and we’re cruising home after a nice day on the sea, that’s time for afrobeat or jazz. I like pop and EDM genres for the productions and vocals. My top plays are soca, including Kes the Band, Bunji Garlin, Machel Montano - the Michael Jackson of the genre, Arrow, Sparrow, and Crazy. I listen to country music and R&B artists like Usher, Chris Brown, Tank, Tyrese, etc. Locally, I admire Jougo for his work ethic and he is an inspiration. I am also inspired by Daddy Friday, Pupa Kelly, Imaginations Brass, and other local talents.

I have been able to open shows for Machel Montano, Patrice Roberts, Denise Belfon, Mr. Killa, Onyun, and many others. I wasn't just back there drumming - I was taking in the next part of my journey. I was even able to open a show for Jackson 5 in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands. I also enjoy Michael Jackson, Barrington Levy, Bob Marley, Jr. Gong, Morgan Heritage, etc.

What stage have you always dreamed of performing on?
My dreams have already come through. When I started professionally doing music, it was as a drummer. Over time, I started to dream about singing on a stage. I would love to open for Kes the Band and collaborate with Mr. Killa, and other regional artists. My goal is to perform on the biggest soca stages in the United Kingdom, Trinidad and Tobago, Miami, and Canada.

Who have you collaborated with? Which international artists do you wish to perform or write with?
I have some collaborations in the pipeline including Daddy Jones from St. Croix. I’ve worked with Dennis De Mennis, and he supported me with a track that I launched when I was in prison, Anything but Sober. While the song got some traction, I couldn’t push it because I was incarcerated. In the past, I collaborated with Ill Mindz, NJAR, and Maccabee. I have some international collaborations coming up.

What are your plans for the 2025 Carnival/Festival season?

• Mash up the place!
• Tear down the thing!
• Have a good time - as safe and fun as possible!
• I’ll be entering the Soca Monarch competition to defend my title. This event has gained some traction and I see the community's interest. They want to hear the new music, view the props, and enjoy the performances. The plan is to execute and bring good music and showmanship.
• We’re getting ready for Carnival in St. Thomas. They don’t have a Soca Monarch competition but I’ll be getting my music out there.

"Jougo, we coming for Road March this year!"

What advice do you have for young people?

• Resilience, obedience, execution – you have to have that trinity.
• Life is not black and white – life be 'lifing.'
• Be obedient to God – meditate and reflect on who you are.
• Ask God for advice on the next step for the day. You can’t sit and pray all day either – you have to execute.
• Don’t worry about quick and fast money and get-rich schemes.
• It may look easy but there is work involved.
• Stay steadfast in what you are supposed to do.
• Be whatever you set out to be. Don't let anybody discourage you and say you can’t do something.
• Do not be too self-critical but be as self-critical as you can because you want to always produce a top-tier product. In anything you do, produce a top-tier product.
• I want to encourage people to get a craft, hone it, be obedient, and stay steadfast and locked in with their execution. It might take five or ten years for one person, and five days for another. The old people used to say that goat luck and sheep are not the same. Stop watching what people do.

"We can't be giving people mediocre music and expect to achieve the big dreams."

Can you share something that people wouldn’t know about you?

• I used to watch a lot of television shows back in the day but barely watch today.
• When I was young, I spent time with my Grandpa in North Sound, who played the guitar. I would lay on the guitar and pluck the strings one by one. Grandpa would wonder what was wrong with me but I found it soothing. Today, I have good sound recollection and I think that pastime helped me to grow musically.

Who would you like to shout out?

• Mommy, Joann Petersen
• The whole family in St Thomas
• 420
• Sweeney
• Tamika Herbert
• Tara Hodge
• Noble ink
• Grandeur Charters
• Blaxsmith Entertainment because they take raw materials and turn an idea into a beautiful melody
• Neva
• Special shout out to his son, Ramon George Jr – “Daddy loves him very much”
• Greatness comes from these small islands - give people their flowers while they are living. Shout out to Kareem-Nelson Hull for the HL Stoutt Concert. We need more people like him who recognize our people.

Anything else that you'd like to share

• Stay focused, driven, and ambitious.
• I encourage everyone to be willing to take risks in the right places. That decision that you thought would make you crazy may turn your life around.
• Anybody who wants to invest in a business – has to have patience.
• Believe in yourself. It may take you one day but ten years for the next person. Ask God for guidance and he will give you everything you need.

"We dropped the ball on sharing where we came from with the young people."

I was very impressed with Ramon's work ethic and musical style. I consider him a great role model for the youth, especially the upcoming artists. He shared that he has lots of great music coming for the 2025 Carnival and Festival season. Let's continue to support our Virgin Islands' talents!