Interview with Ricardo Drue

Although Antiguan Soca star Ricardo Drue grew up in Trinidad and currently lives in Orlando, Florida, his heart is well and truly in the twin islands. His musical career began as one of the lead singers of the dance and vocal quartet Crossovah, who opened for major artists like Jeffrey Osborne, Sean Kingston and Machel Montano. But there was no holding back Ricardo, who left the band in 2010 to pursue a solo career in his first love Soca. He moves crowds into a frenzy in the US, London, Canada and of course, across the Caribbean, where he has taken the crown of Soca Monarch several times at the Antigua & Barbuda Carnival. We were lucky to catch Ricardo in between his global concerts to find out more about his steady rise in the world of Soca.

What does Soca music mean to you?

Soca means culture, it means life, and it means happy music. It is absolutely everything to me. And when I say Soca is happy music, I truly believe that; I have seen first-hand how it has changed energies and people. This is why I entitled my current album Happy Music.

How would you describe Soca music and its importance in the Caribbean to anyone unfamiliar with this genre of music?

I honestly believe it is a genre of music that brings people together in a very positive way. My album Happy Music was specifically made as after listening to it, it’s hard for one to be sad or angry – this always happens when Soca is playing.

Soca means culture, it means life, and it means happy music. It is absolutely everything to me. And when I say Soca is happy music, I truly believe that; I have seen first-hand how it has changed energies and people.

When did you first become interested in music, and how did you start in the industry?

I have been a music lover for as long as I can remember, probably since I was around five years old. I grew up with music all around me as my mum was a radio personality, and my uncle sang in the choir, so I fell in love with it from a young age. I first got introduced to the industry in 2007 when an Antiguan DJ called Crown Prince saw potential in my talent.

Even though you grew up in Trinidad, you were born in Antigua. How important is your Antiguan heritage to you?

My Antiguan heritage is extremely important to me; without it, there is no me, no Vagabond, Professional, and most of my other successful records. My success in the industry didn’t start until I was able to understand my people and my country.

You’ve been in several bands like Diversity and Crossovah. What made you branch out into a solo career?

An audition with Crossovah on the television programme America’s Got Talent is what initiated my solo career. It was a very discouraging and demoralising audition. However, for some reason, the negative that came out of it motivated me more than it demotivated the other members and me, and my solo career was born.

Although Soca music has started infiltrating mainstream music, it has done so to a much lesser extent than some other Caribbean music genres. Why do you think that is, and what would you like to tell the world about this music?

I believe we just have to keep knocking at the mainstream door while trying to keep getting better. I think some of our entertainers need to take the art form more seriously. I also think we should stop creating music just for carnival season and make Soca music yearround, including singing about more relatable life concepts and not just carnival-based ones.

Congratulations on your recent engagement to Patrice Roberts. This surely makes you the power Soca couple! You have recently collaborated with her, but what plans do you have for future collaborations?

Thank you! Patrice and I go on vibes and energy, so when the vibe is right, we do it; if it isn’t right, we do not force things. Our next collaboration is a record called Yolanda, which is Greek for ‘queen’. I can’t wait for the world to hear it.

What would be your dream collaboration if you could choose any artist in the world?

I’ve got a lot of people who would be my dream collaborators! The first people that come to mind are Michael Jackson, Drake, Burna Boy, and Patoranking, but the list goes on!

Soca is the sound of carnival, so it is naturally an important time for you. Each carnival has its own flavour - what makes Antigua’s carnival special for you?

Our people and our energy are genuine. If we don’t like something, we won’t hide it; if we love it, we will defend it to the very end. This makes our good even greater.

You started a YouTube programme, Based on a Drue Story. Can you tell us more about that and how important social media is for you and getting music out there these days?

Based on a Drue Story was a way for me to connect with my sponsor and show them the good as well as the bad, making myself and my brand more relatable. As an artist, if you don’t have a social media presence, you are making your job harder for yourself; that is where the world is today, and that is where people will look for you and your music.

As a three-time winner of the Soca Monarch crown, what does it mean for you to win these kinds of accolades?

I actually won four! Winning a crown was good for me. I wanted to see if I was capable of going head-to-head with the best, and I proved I was. Now I am part of Antigua’s musical history.

Ricardo Drue

Photocred: Crown House Media

Where’s your favourite place in Antigua & Barbuda?

Without doubt, English Harbour.

What is your motto in life?

My motto is: no matter how bad it is now, later will be better, tomorrow will be better.

What’s next?

I will continue to build and develop the brand and push my album Happy Music. We are also working on a few international events in places like Toronto and Dubai that I am very excited about. We also have the merchandising. But above all, I have a wedding to plan!