Virgin Islands Music Spotlight: Soca Artist - Scrouge

Scrouge

I was able to connect with this artist through I-Bari. We had an engaging conversation about his inspiration, plans and goals. Scrouge offered some solid advice for persons interested in music. He also shared his viewpoints and gave some background about how he gets his music out there. 

These are his words.

Who is Scrouge?
Scrouge is a soca artist born and raised in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. I graduated from Charlotte Amalie High School (CAHS). Then I attended Full Sail University and acquired a Bachelor of Science in Entertainment Business. After that, I attacked the world as an entrepreneur. That's what I do day-to-day - music, graphic design, and Big Days Racing, my new thoroughbred racehorse ownership group on the mainland.

Who's the team behind you?
I have a small team. People think I have a major team, but I have these key players behind me:

• V the Goat Management is managed by my fiancée. She does everything in the book including bookings, meetings, styling, and more.
• JC Management is led by Jelan Cumberbatch in Trinidad. He's also my booking agent. He works with Farmer Nappy, Problem Child, Olatunji, and other heavy hitters.
• Humble Success is a clothing brand and is a major part of my team for clothing and getting me ready for the stage, as well as a Big Bro/business partner being a daily mentor for me about life and daily encounters.
• Keep it Loud Crew is my musical distribution company, jointly owned with Sensi Star.

These individuals/entities are key components that make me who I am along with the fans.

What inspired you to get into music?
Growing up in the Caribbean, my family played music every weekend. Music is like second nature – music in the car or when you’re cleaning. That was the start for me. What got me interested in music was my participation in the marching, concert, and symphonic bands in high school. I have to big-up Georgia Francis, the greatest band teacher ever from CAHS. She played a major role in helping me learn music. I had the opportunity to learn the classical side of music and how it meshes with our local flavor. I utilize the classical and foundational sides of music to transition into my everyday sound.

I was in the process of moving to New York for school in 2005 with my Uncle Taiwo and he introduced me to the international soca side of stuff. He took me to Eastern Parkway for the Labor Day Parade and many fetes!!! After that, I was like - I don’t mind doing this and taking it seriously.

What has been your greatest musical achievement thus far?
My greatest musical achievement thus far was being honored in 2022 in Charleston, South Carolina as the Carifest Grand Marshall, Carnival Ambassador, and recipient of the Charleston Carifest Outstanding Community Service Award. That's big because I started going to a place where I didn't know anyone to them booking me three years in a row. The Charleston community is Famalay. 

Today, I walk down the streets and people comment, 'That’s Scrouge.'

I have to shout out Ms. Lorna Shelton Beck for taking a chance and giving me an opportunity to touch the Charleston Carifest stage early in my career. Now look how it all played out - this is my city!!! Humble and Thankful for being honored! They Love Me And I Love them too!

Who do you listen to?
I listen to everything. I'm very open when it comes to music.

• Machine Gun Kelly – Hip Hop/Rock and Roll
• I-Bari, Banco Bizmol, Big Shaw, Th3rd, Jelani Kendall, E.Nikk, Empire the Artist - local artists
• Jay-Z, Young Thug, Young Jeezy, Lil Baby – Hip Hop
• Matisyahu - Alternative Rock & Pop
• Friday - R&B
• Burna Boy, Wiz Kid, Shatta Wale - Afrobeat
• Bunji Garlin, Patrice Roberts - Soca/Calypso
• Vybz Kartel, Nhance, Rygin King, Popcaan, Masicka – Dancehall

I listen to music like Callaloo - it has different ingredients. The ingredients are here, there, and everywhere, not just one substance.

It’s good for me to be an artist who likes to hear different things because it helps to put me in a different zone since I have a wide body of music to listen to. A lot of people might comment that they didn’t know I listen to so many different genres of music.

Scrouge with his award from the Charleston Carifest

What stage have you always dreamed of performing on?
I've been on many different shows, but my goal is to perform at the Antilliaanse Feesten in Germany, which is held in August. I have to touch that stage. It’s one of the biggest goals for me right now.

I’m on a different road – if everyone is going to stay on Earth, then I’m heading to space. I like to be different. When I went to Shreveport, Louisiana a few days ago, everyone was asking how I could visit there to perform soca. The promoter mentioned she saw me perform in Utah at the Afro Utah Fest and asked, "They listen to soca out there?" My team understands what I'm looking for and seeking to accomplish. We have something big on the table right now. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed.

I say music is like church. If you go to church every Sunday and you see the same people in the congregation, that means the message isn't being heard and isn't getting passed on to anyone. 

So you're doing music, going in the same arenas, same place all the time, seeing the same people - who is the music reaching? I like to go to places where no one knows me, but by the time I leave, they know who Scrouge is. They love my vibes and they become not only a fan, but family. Sometimes, they are not familiar with soca or calypso, but when I finish my set, they become fans.

Who have you collaborated with?
The most notable artist I’ve collaborated with was Mandella Links from Grenada who sang the hit song “Tombstone.” I did a song entitled “Mass Destruction remix with him. I've been on riddim projects with other notable artists such as The Lava Man from Grenada and Fimba from St. Vincent and The Grenadines.

Which artists would you wish to perform or write with?
It would more be to write because I’ve performed alongside all of the greats in the soca industry. I’ve performed with Machel Montano three or four times and Bunji Garlin two times. I’ve been on tour with Patrice Roberts and opened 6 to 8 shows for her. I would like to do a track with Patrice Roberts or Bunji Garlin. Outside of the soca/calypso arena, I would say Sean Paul or Shaggy.

What are your plans for your music for the rest of 2025?
I'm pushing consistency for the rest of 2025:

• I’m assembling some releases. We just released the first one, which is Hydraulics. Make sure you check it out!
• I’m working on improving my consistency in putting out great projects. I feel that’s an area I have to work on. I have to be consistent and not fall in love with certain things. Sometimes, you devise a plan with your music and then you fall in love with what you have out and forget about the rest of the plan. 

This year, I’m pushing consistency and building towards that to create a greater product, as in my music, for the fans.

What's your favorite song of yours?
My favorite song of mine is Memories. I can hear my other songs in my head saying, ‘So, I wasn’t your favorite?’ Memories is my favorite because I wrote this song when the pandemic had just hit. It was very connecting and even as I talk about it or every time I sing the song, I get emotional because it reminds me of who I was at that time singing the song. I had a bunch of shows lined up and then I got a call from Jelan Cumberbatch, my booking agent, to let me know that all my shows were canceled for the rest of the year. I had travelled to the Bahamas and when I returned, I saw everyone wearing masks and was very confused. Then, I was told that shows were canceled because of COVID-19.

My producer, Pam Pam sent me this beat and the first thing that came to mind was, 

“I beg you, won't you come back to me, Leh we make memories again. And then I say the sound of a big truck passing, the sight of a bam bam rolling, the feeling of carnival every day.” 

It's like I was missing everything. Every time I sing it, that song gets me emotional.

My music is from the heart and that song is surely from my heart. That song connects with everybody. I visited Louisiana recently, and a little girl sang the whole song for me. When I got there, she met me and said, “Mr. Srcouge, my favorite song is Memories.’ Kirsikka of Soca Dance in Finland, a dance group, posted a video a week ago dancing to Memories. That song keeps me grounded and reminds me that ‘you could be here but at any minute you don’t know what the future holds.’

Scrouge doing what he loves best - performing

What advice do you have for young people interested in music?
My advice to young people and anybody interested in music:

• Do what you want to do at the end of the day.
• Don't be afraid to walk your own road and your own path.
• Your story is nobody else's story.
• If it doesn't fit for you, as in this road, don't be afraid to make a left or a right or a u-turn. Walk your own path and do you. Don't let anybody detour you from that.

Can you share something that most people wouldn't know about you?
I haven’t eaten meat for 20-plus years - no chicken, no beef. I eat fish. When I was like 7-8, I ate some meat and got sick and never ate it after that.

Who would you like to shout out?
I want to shout out everybody, as in the fans, who have been with me in the past, who are with me now, and who will be with me in the future. My team as mentioned above and I thank them for their support!

Is there anything else that you'd want to share with the readers?
Stay connected with with Scrouge. Follow me on Instagram, X and SnapChat as @Scrougemusic and Facebook as Lashawn Scrouge Selwood. On all digital music platforms - Apple Music and Spotify, you can find me as Scrouge. Look for Scrouge and continue streaming and supporting me and my music.

Scrouge

Scrouge has promised to deliver some great music this year so please support him.

Virgin Islands Music Spotlight: Lion Dre

Lion Dre

My featured artist for May is Lion Dre. The first track I heard from him was Ain Outchya, which featured Deh Wapp. Lion Dre is a rising talent with aspirations for greatness. These are his words.

Who is Lion Dre?

Lion Dre is from Saint Croix, US Virgin Islands, and I am a global, authentic, all-around VI artist. When I say VI, I mean not just the Virgin Islands, but versatile, international. I'm an all-around artist - I don't limit myself to one genre. I’m very humble and I'm that person in and out of the studio that you can depend on to get the job done.

Who's the team behind you?

My team consists of my whole village. They say it takes a village to raise a child; I’m in my 20s and realize it also takes a village to maintain an adult. That's the best way I could put it because independence is cool, but it's also cool to have codependence and know you have genuine people in your corner who support you. It’s not about the finances. It's more than that - just to have somebody believing in you and speaking life into you genuinely. My team consists of my whole village.

"Believe in yourself"

What inspired you to get into music?

I have a few inspirations including my father, Radio Andy. Radio Andy is his DJ and stage moniker. He was a person who walked around with a radio everywhere. He would have me as a baby in one hand and have his radio in the next hand. I feel like it's a genetic thing and it's just part of who I am naturally. While I was growing up, my father moved to the US and I would visit him during the summers. While visiting him, I was introduced to a lot of different music, whether it's old school reggae, 90s dance hall, dubs, and dubplates. He exposed me to different vibes like Mob Deep and other throwbacks.

Another one of my musical inspirations is a St. Croix artist named Dan Dadda. When I was in elementary school, I was exposed to his music and that's when I first realized that you could really be from home and actually make your own content. I have to 'big-up' Dan Dadda for that. 

Next is my need to just express myself. I have a love for creativity, so I felt like it allowed me to express how I feel without being fully outspoken about personal things.

What has been your greatest musical achievement thus far?

This question is the one that made me look at myself like, 'Hey, you need to work a little harder.' That's me being honest because right now my greatest achievement is radio play - hearing my song play on the radio. Recently, I dropped a single with Mayah V called Slip Inside and it has been streamed on WPFW Radio in Washington DC and London, UK based on the statistics. Right now, in 2025, that feels like one of my biggest accomplishments in music thus far - just radio play. So more to come!

Who do you listen to?

I listen to different genres. I don't limit myself but the two genres I listen to the most are hip hop and rap, and of course, dance hall because I’m from the Caribbean. For Dancehall, I listen to Popcaan because he has good vibes in his music. Another artist is Vybz Kartel even though every song is not for every occasion. I also listen to Massika, Prince Swanny, Chronic Law, and for the females, Shensea or Spice. For hip hop, it would be Lil Wayne, J. Cole, Meek Mill, Ace Hood, Tupac, Mob Deep, Gucci Mane, Kodak Black, and some Lil Durk. These are my go-to's.

Lion Dre performing

So what stage have you always dreamed of performing on?

In all honesty, I don't have a specific stage and I don't want to sound greedy, but I want to perform at all of them whether big or small. I could be on a big stage and not feel as much energy as performing for a birthday party. I feel like the size of the room doesn’t matter. It's all about the energy I receive and give back to the crowd reciprocally. Give me all the stages. I won't know until I experience it.

Who have you collaborated with?

Besides Mayah V, I have collaborated with Bloody Bear Bass, VI Jo, Michonde, Flizop, and Dapp Deh Youngin. I have some things on the way with stateside artists. I have collaborated with Tony La Clave from Maryland. He is originally from El Salvador so he's like that Latin - urban Latino. He doesn't limit himself either. He's very versatile as well and we’re working on a bilingual track called Patron. I have done some unique collaborations and I have more on the way.

In terms of international artists, who would who would you want to perform or write with?

Popcaan! It's funny because I originally started doing rap music and hip hop, but since we are versatile international - VI artists, we can’t limit ourselves. So, I have to say Popcaan. When I went through my little dark moments in life, Popcaan's music helped me get through some rough moments. I’m not just saying that to sound cool. I really mean it – his music helped me calm down my vibrations when I was going through some situations. So, I have to give Popcaan his credit. It's deeper than just music.

What are the plans for the rest of 2025?

With summer approaching and we're currently in May, the plans for the rest of 2025 include:

• We need to shoot more visuals and get more videos out there. People want to see the artists so I want to upload more content, whether reels or TikToks. It’s all part of the consistency. We have to shoot more visuals and upload more content.
• I want to drop a few projects, whether EPS, singles, or maybe an album.
• Last, but not least, I want to hit as many stages as possible, big or small. That's how we're looking for 2025.

What advice do you have for young people who are interested in music?

• Put God first because, in our reality, you can't do anything foundational or organic without putting God first.
• Stay true to yourself because you might be doing something to follow the crowd. But, is it really who you are or is it really for you? Is it made for you?
• Believe in yourself because you will have many days when people you expect support from may not be able to show up based on circumstances. It's going to take that self-driven fueling in you to keep things going.
• Wait your turn because you might be working hard and not get the recognition you deserve. But guess what? Today for me, tomorrow for you.
• Stay consistent because what you do regularly matters more than what you do once in every blue moon.

Lion Dre

Please share something with the readers that most people don't know about you

Honestly, I can't live without music. Music makes everything easier for me, whether writing an essay, washing the dishes, or cleaning the house. If I don't have music, I feel I will lose my mind. Honestly, I don't want to sound crazy saying that, but it helped me in my roughest moments. It uplifts me in every other way. It's a listening ear when I can't vent to people, whether it’s an instrumental I’m speaking to. People may figure it out knowing I'm passionate about it, but I want them to know it's really that serious. I can't live without music for real.

Who would you like to shout out?

Shout out to my mother, my father, Radio Andy, my manager, Gino, and my right-hand brethren Ash. Shout out to my production team, BSG Ent (Buildin Sumtin Great), and the whole rest of the family.

"Stay consistent"

Is there anything else that you’d like to share?
I recently released a Shake It To The Max (LionMix), but it doesn't have original instrumentals so I haven't been posting it widely. It hasn't been posted mainstream, but it's still out there. I have other singles on the way and a project as well. Aside from that, I'm working on a few visuals right now and I have some other things on the way.

I just want the world to know, like honestly, I've been doing music for a while and I waited my turn for years and I just humbly want to say it's really my turn now. I ain't coming to take nobody's spotlight from them. We all can shine. They shine, you shine, he shines, she shines, we all shine. But it's Lion Dre’s turn now.

*****

As Lion Dre shared in the article, he has lots more to come. He's ready to shine and bless the world with his powerful voice, inspiring thoughts and amazing talent.

Meet I-Bari - A Multi-Talented Virgin Islands Artist

I-Bari is an extremely talented Virgin Islander. He shared his background, accomplishments and future musical plans with me. These are his words.

--

Who is I-Bari?

I-Bari is a creative being from the Virgin Islands by way of Saint Kitts. I ain't nobody special – pun intended. My first album is entitled, Nobody Special. I have shirts branded Nobody Special, and ladies would stop me and say no. I tell them it’s just sarcasm.

Who is the team behind you?

I have a collective of individuals that I reach out to when I need to get stuff done, but I wouldn't say that I have a specific team in place. I wish to shout out to Scrouge, Octavia, Shawn, and Rashidi. I would say I don't have an effective team structure concrete yet. It's pretty much just me, doing what I can and using the resources that I have at my disposal at this time. I also want to shout to Mckenzie Baltimore aka Kenzie B-More, and his uncle, Colin.

Quote: Be yourself as much as you can in every instance.

What inspired you to get into music
I feel music was one of the best ways I could find not to communicate because I think I'm well-spoken, but music is my way to commune with people and resonate with them. I think that's the less narcissistic answer. The more narcissistic answer is that I want attention and I feel that was a good way of getting it. I think that most entertainers desire attention on some level mentally. If you didn't want attention, you would do it at home in the mirror. Anyone in the entertainment business who says they don't want attention is lying to a certain extent - which is crazy because I want attention; yet, I also don't want any attention.

Tell me about your musical journey
I put out my first 4 track EP in high school in 10th grade entitled, The Project: Part 1. It was executive produced by Malvern Gumbs. Shout out to Malvern and my father. It did pretty well. I wrote all my songs, except two. My father wrote one Best Friend and my good friend Serge Brooks wrote part of Can't Get Hooked. I was also doing the artist thing from that point on. I have songs I wrote and shared on Reverb Nation, SoundCloud, and Bandcamp. 

Scrouge, who I went to school with, was my manager, and he recognized my capabilities. We both were in the marching band. I was in the first VI Teen Idol competition that they had. I was up against Empire aka Sickalous and I lost. R. City flew in to judge the event. I performed my songs in that competition.

One of my best and most notable soca songs was Know De Face by Marvay which garnered over 3 million views on YouTube, probably a year after it came out. When I went to college at Georgia State University, I met a guy from Florida and I told him about that song. He was intrigued because he heard it at a Memorial Day Parade.

 

Quote: Do things that scare you.

What has been your greatest musical achievement so far?
When I consider what I have done in comparison to what I know I could accomplish, it does feel like literally nothing. However, I've written for Destra Garcia, Alison Hinds, Tian Winter, Farmer Nappy, and other big names from across the Caribbean.

My biggest achievement was the 2023 Houston Reggae Festival where I performed in front of over 10,000 people. It was a big thing for me because it was one of the biggest audiences I've ever performed for. It felt good. It felt natural. It didn't feel like how they said it would feel when you stand in front of a crowd of that size.

Who do you listen to?
I listen to a lot of different genres of music - a lot of different styles of music. I'm very heavy on the indie alternative end of the spectrum, like Phoebe Bridgers. This one song came out the other day from Charlotte Lawrence called Collateral. I ran that song for three days on repeat, back-to-back. I'm very heavy on the indie alternative spectrum, and when I'm not doing that, I'd probably say that Afrobeat is the next heaviest genre I listen to. However, it varies.

Normally, I try not to listen to artists creating music in the same genre. I'm trying to focus on soca and Afrobeat right now so I do not listen to that much soca from other artists. Also, I feel I write the best soca music when I listen to other genres of music. Other genres influence the best soca.

Quote: Be hard on yourself. But also, don't be hard on yourself.

What stage have you always dreamed of performing on?
I want to perform on Saturday Night Live, Jimmy Kimmel Live, or Tiny Desk. I probably would do soca to show the similarities between soca and popular music, because I feel soca is our pop. It's not always a party or a wuk-up jam. I like artists like Michael Teja, Patrice Roberts, and Teddyson John. Teddyson John creates music outside of the regular realm thematically to what you'd hear in soca. That's an approach that I try to make with my music as well.

What other artists have you collaborated with?
I did a song called De Vez en Cuando with Garcia. I did that in Colombia in 2017. I wanted to learn more Spanish, and on that visit, I found some great connections there including Grammy-nominated producers and engineers, songwriters, and Latin Grammy winners. I met Garcia and he was working on a song. I asked if he wanted a feature and I happily consented.

I didn’t personally know any of the people who brought me to the studio. One of them had added me on social media a couple of months before I went to Colombia. When I went there, I asked where I could do some recording. He told me to come through and I met everybody, including Garcia, there for the first time. I think that song with Garcia was probably one of my favorite features. Shout out to Garcia. He also went on to become one of the mixing engineers that I use. I guess that's a part of the team or conglomerate. He mixed Mine Tonight, which I feel is one of my best mixed and charting records, and Gimme Gimme featuring Deem.

What international artists would you like to perform or write with?
Johnny Drille would probably be amazing. Johnny Drille is classified as an Afrobeat artist, but he's an amazing creative who does Afrobeat from time to time. He released an album a couple of years ago and he did something that I am trying to do as well. He did an Afrobeat album that captured every popular genre of music with African influence. They called it Afrobeat, but it wasn't. It was rock. It was soft rock. It was rap. It was dancehall. I feel like he's an eclectic type, multi-faceted artist, as I see myself to be as well.

What are the plans for 2025?
I'm trying to find my crowd and solidify myself in the soca market as an artist. I have my placements and credentials as a writer, but I need to shift the perception of me as a creative as a whole. I want to be recognized as a singer, as opposed to a songwriter.

What advice do you have for young people who are interested in music?
For what purpose are you interested in music? Do you want to be an artist or perform music for people? Do you like writing songs or do you just really like music? These are two different things. If you want to be successful in a musical profession, I would say be objective. Learn to be objective.

Learn to hear what other people are doing versus what you are doing. Be able to discern what you want to sacrifice to reach that codec of the person who is charting or successful. That's all it is - fitting a codec to get into the algorithm and get your stuff shared and publicized at the highest level.

Quote: Be objective. Create and have fun creating.

Can you share something that most people wouldn't know about you?
I find most person-to-person interactions overwhelming and or taxing. People think I'm this big, sociable, bubbly guy and it's a lie. Most of my closest friends would attest to this. I can sit down in your space and not talk for 10 minutes until I realize there is another human there. Most things give me anxiety, to be honest with you, especially in terms of interacting with other people, which is why it's funny.

Do you have any new music out this year?
I feel like the most exciting one that I have out is called Sugar (Sweet Meh). I'm excited because for a while I've had success as a songwriter and I feel like people don't respect songwriters as much. I feel they question, ‘if you write so many hit songs, why you don't write for yourself?’

I have a bit of self-sabotage in me that I've been trying to root out. The last big song I think I wrote before Sugar (Sweet Meh) was Favorite Song by WiLDXFiRE and I-Bari. He's from New York by way of Trinidad and St. Vincent. When I wrote that song, I found that people liked it. I told myself I can write like this. You want me to sweet up a girl in a song? I love sweetening up girls in songs. That's my favorite thing to do.

I decided to create the song and I knew that people would think I did the vocals. However, my voice is not on Favorite Song. WiLDXFiRE and I share such a similar tone, and he does well in terms of executing a demo the way it was sent and then making it better.

Now, I need to put myself in a space where I use the same process to create songs. I have some songs, Red Flag Fete and Feel Like Fete. I love feting apparently! I wrote Red Flag Fete in conjunction with Sisa. These collaborations help me understand how these artists define their checklist for a hit. I take that rubric and use it to write something for me. 

I wrote Sugar (Sweet Meh) in the car to no music. I remember the first line was ‘sugar honey iced tea. You're so sweet. Come like you just bathe up in all three.’

Then, I started writing the verse and framed the story afterward. I decided the song would be better in with the verse I wrote first as the second verse. Then, I wrote the first verse and then the chorus. I did that with the framework of Favorite Song. Sugar (Sweet Meh) is already out on the platforms.

 

Quote: Do things that get your heart racing and anxious.

When did you start writing for other artists?
The first artist I wrote for was in 2012 and that’s Tian Winter. The song's name is On Fire. It's like a pop-soca mix, like a soca-pop vibe. Shout out to Scrouge. Scrouge was my manager at the time. Scrouge is another amazing artist from the Virgin Islands. He's probably a mixture of Groovy and Power Soca. He was my manager and was in contact with Jamall Miller, aka Culcha Da Voice. Culcha was writing songs for but needed help because he couldn't sing.

Culcha sent me a song and asked if I could create the demo, and if I had any changes to make them. I made some changes, I sent it back and he loved the finished product. Culcha continued to send me songs and we began writing partners as The Seventh Wing.

 

Quote: Just because something is scary doesn't mean you should pack it up and go home.

Is there anything else that you want to share with my readers?
If you have an interest or passion for thoughtfully crafted Caribbean music, I implore you to follow me on social media and streaming platforms. This is where it might get a bit tricky. I-Bari is my name. I spell it phonetically as EYEBAREYE for my social media and I-Bari for my Soca/Afrobeat style releases on streaming platforms.

I saw an interview recently with Adam O speaking about being in the big leagues and how it is performing in front of big crowds. Adam O was basically saying if you're not ready, you should pack it up and go home. I don't agree. Do things that scare you, because sometimes, scary things are the things that will make your life worthwhile, and will put you in different positions.

Remember, follow I-Bari on all platforms as @EYEBAREYE. He has a lot of great music to share with us!

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!