Soleil 2017: Roots and Soul Gallery
4th World
Primarily a reggae band, 4th World originated from Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia, and is considered one of the best reggae bands in the Eastern Caribbean.
4th World’s debut album, Can’t Stop Us, has been described as an “authentic brand of reggae music that takes you to the world of Steel Pulse, Third World, Peter Tosh and Bob Marley; but it is reggae music with a difference.
It is fresh. It is a new sound. The arrangements are startlingly different to what has come before and so catches one by surprise. It is edgy music bursting with energy. It is music infused with the excitement of youth yet seemingly informed by history and the wisdom of age.”
4th World’s music represents a special blend of reggae obtained from fusing roots reggae with dancehall, hi-hop, R&B, Blues and Saint Lucia and Caribbean indigenous music. Therefore, although Can’t Stop Us, the album, remained true to the music of the likes of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, there are songs veering towards dancehall and hip-hop, and others serving heavy doses of R&B, blues, jazz, rock, and traditional Saint Lucian music.
Born in Saint Lucia on October 14, 1985, Chrycee’s love affair with music began at an early age. Growing up with a DJ father, she was constantly surrounded by music; so it’s no wonder that even when she was just a tot, she’d take centre-stage in her family living room—remote control mic in hand—singing along to the voices of internationally-acclaimed artists! In time, Chrycee transitioned from living room performances to school talent shows, and at age 15, she began to regularly sing solo at church. Filled with melodies of her own and a burning desire to express herself through poetry and lyrics, it was also around this time that Chrycee started nurturing her song writing talent.
Years later, Chrycee nationally released her first original music single, “Handle It”—a bold witty dance track which challenged male bravado.
In April 2014, Chrycee performed at the Tobago Jazz Experience, opening for Music icons, Keyshia Cole and Earth Wind and Fire at the 2014 Tobago Jazz Experience. In 2015 after a riveting launch of her Honest Musings Album, Chrycee executed a multi-city music promotional tour in the United States, performing in Houston, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Florida. From there she went on to perform in Santa Monica California and later at Monroe College’s ReggaeFest—organized in collaboration with VP Records—in New Rochelle – sharing the stage with Jamaican sensation Romain Virgo.
In 2016, Chrycee took to the Hollywood Los Angeles stage; first in February as part of the performance cast for a Pre-Grammy production, hosted by 5-time Grammy Winning Producer, Devine Evans; then in May, performing at the Study, in Hollywood Boulevard, California. She is also a writing contributor in Devine Evans’ book, Sheet Music: The Diary of a Songwriter.
Dianna Philip
Dianna Philip is a young Saint Lucian vocalist who is honing her craft as the island watches. She has always had a love for the arts and has been living her dream for a few years. During the day, Dianna impacts lives as a primary school teacher. She is also happy as she pursues her artistic passion by performing in hotels where she started as a part of a duo several years ago. She has been a background vocalist for many calypso shows and is now happy to lead a band as a vocalist.
Etana
Etana is a reggae soul singer/songwriter who focuses on uplifting messages and inspirational music. Her performances range from a full live band to up-close and personal acoustic sets with a guitarist.
Etana’s critically lauded debut album “The Strong One” included the duet with Italian reggae artist Alborosie “Blessings w Alborosie” and her unwavering declaration of self-assurance “I Am Not Afraid”. She has released several albums since and is one of the most in-demand reggae artists.
Kayo
“To find myself, to continue to be myself, and to never lose what makes me happy.”
And what makes Kayo happy is making music. Kayo Guevarra (né Filbert Salton) was born and raised in Saint Lucia.
Inspired by the likes of Bob Marley, The Fugees, Kardinal Offishall, 2Pac, and Jay-Z, Kayo began honing his talent through poetry at the age of 14. It started simply as “a way to write down my emotions because I wasn’t very outspoken when it came to how I felt about things.”
At the age of 20, Kayo moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia to study marketing at Saint Mary’s University, while simultaneously continuing to pursue music. He immersed himself in the local hip-hop scene where he met future mentor Classified. Class signed Kayo to a production deal via his imprint, Half Life Records, resulting in a licensing deal with EMI Music Canada. He then released ‘1 Night’, his first national single with Half Life/EMI – a club track about the beauty of women “and the insecurities they live with that ultimately destroy them.”
That “sugar with the medicine” approach to songwriting is the basis for what Kayo’s music is all about – creating a uniquely aggressive and penetrating sound while penning songs with substance and purpose. Now residing in Toronto, Kayo continues to pave his way and tell his own story through music.
Rob Zii & Phyness
Rob Zii’s career spans over 2 decades. He is a former member of Amate, having joined in 1992, and a founding member of Kronic Heights Productions (1996). Zii has shared stages with many mainstream artists such as Maxi Priest, Shaggy, Michael Bolton, Fantasia, Beres Hammond and Dave Koz.
Zii took part in a US Summer tour with Ky-mani Marley to Clifton Dillon and Shang Records alongside Maxi Priest, Toots & The Maytals and Andrew Tosh. He has released two full length albums, namely Rise Up and Destiny, recorded in Saint Lucia, Jamaica and Florida with industry giants and in 2008 at the Saint Lucia Music Awards, he captured the award for Instrumental of the Year with The Calling.
Zii has recently teamed up with Phyness, a fellow lead singer in the group Black Sheep. They currently perform often in Saint Lucia at various resorts and events and across the Caribbean region. They have recently recorded and released a reggae version of the song, Let It Go which is receiving steady airplay on radio stations and are currently back in studio recording and preparing for their next release.
Phyness has been performing both in Saint Lucia and on cruise ships for the last decade and has released over a dozen original songs in various styles such as reggae, hip hop, soca and R&B, all self-written.
Phyness has performed alongside Alaine, Ziggy Rankin and Busy Signal.
Originally, Phyness sang Groovy Soca and was a three time finalist in the St. Lucia Groovy Soca finals from
2008-2010.
Their latest release can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltKmhExtHyc
Zii has just returning from the Jazz N Creole Festival in Dominica performing with Michele Henderson and also recording whilst there with Phyness, their next release with Cornell Philip, who’s band will also be backing them for the first Roots & Soul Soleil Music Festival in St.Lucia on Sunday June 18th.
Social Media
Facebook: Rob Zii & Phyness Instagram : @robzii_phyness Youtube: Rob Zii & Phyness Email: robzii.phyness@gmail.com
Musiq Soulchild
Musiq Soulchild is a hip-hop soul artist who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He built a reputation for being musically gifted, beat boxing for MCs, free styling on the open mic circuit or just performing acappella for strangers on the streets.
Christopher Martin
Christopher Martin is a Reggae singer/songwriter from Jamaica. Chris won Digicel Rising Stars in 2005 (the Jamaican version of “American Idol”). Martin’s clean-cut image, outstanding stage performance, vocals and star appeal has gained him a cult-like following amongst his fans, especially those of the female gender.
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