The work of Titan Lee Hai, a Trinidadian-born aspiring rapper/musician, who died after falling off a building at New York University (NYU) in 2014, has helped earn a US recording deal for a fellow local vocalist. Jose Freedom, 21, was Lee Hai’s friend of seven years. The two had several YouTube video collaborations featuring Lee Hai as a rapper.
“When I heard he had died, I made a pledge to myself that no matter how far my music takes me, I would ensure the songs we did together would be the first ones I would market,” he said, looking nostalgic.
On February 19, Freedom drew loud applause from an audience at Fiesta Plaza, Movietowne, Invader’s Bay, when he delivered an original piece titled Friendzone. The song was the last collaboration the duo made and was to be released the same week of Lee Hai’s sudden demise.
The event, hosted by Thrive International, Dubai, featured eight other artistes vying for a chance at three recording deals. The panel of judges included Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum producer Robert Venable, Jean Lephare (producer to Wiz Khalifa and Lil Wayne) and Taylor May (of Taylor Mayd Musik).
Freedom, who plays several instruments, earned the nod of the judges. He will soon travel to Nashville, Tennessee, for a three-song recording deal with May, a former US Top 100 charter. Freedom told the T&T Guardian the win was a tribute to Lee Hai.
The young musician Freedom, who also teaches dance, is pursuing a Bachelors in Fine Arts (Performing Arts) at UTT and intends to make the trip during the July/August school vacation.
Producer Robert Venable said of the talent he saw: “I was blown away, simply blown away. After having heard the local artists in T&T, I am very impressed by the amount of pure talent the country has to offer and it’s not getting the exposure it deserves. There are so many beautiful voices, experienced players and amazing songwriters. I’m excited to work with the artists here.
“The deliberations were long and tough for us. We judged on originality, marketability, appearance, talent and their perceived ability to be produced...After we take care of the showcase artists, I have some ideas to work with the other musicians in Trinidad as well.”
He said they anticipate the Trini accent may prove a minor challenge, but are prepared to maintain the vocalists’ twang while ensuring that their work be intelligible to the mainstream market.
Venable acknowledged that the global music market is “hard to crack” but assured that the trio would put together a product to reach the masses through their connections, and “use all the tricks up our sleeves to help push these artists to the next level.”
In other results of the February 19 show, Jessie Mcbarrow (J-WVE) and Phil, Daxe and Marie Cartars (The Cartars) placed second. Veteran singing sensation Michelle Xavier got third place after performing a number of popular covers in R&B and soca. Her soulful rendition of Sia’s Chandelier was well-received by the mixed audience.
Mcbarrow, 29, a former UTT student, demonstrated his prowess on the keyboard as he delivered extracts from several original songs. Siblings, The Cartars, opted to open their act with the popular Led Zepplin hit Rock and Roll, accompanied by Devin Harrypaul on bass and Jonathon Ottway on drums.
The second place winners will see one of their songs mixed, mastered and produced through Taylor Mayd Musik, while Xavier’s voice will be attached to a track of her choosing, to be produced by Lephare.
Participants also included the duo Rheon Elbourne and Kareen Joyette from the music/producing group CYNX, versatile jazz vocalist Valerie Hill, Darius Balgobin, Dominique Campbell and group The Flick. Patrons were also entertained by guest artistes Inzey as The DopeSki’s and 5 Miles to Midnight, alongside Mark Hardy and Young Rudd.
THRIVE AT GLANCE
Thrive International was founded almost three years ago in Dubai and has hosted events in Dubai, LA and in Trinidad. Ethan Auguste, its founder, said the organisation is dedicated to showcasing the talent of T&T in world mainstream music markets.