IslandMix - Soca, Reggae, Zouk and Caribbean Entertainment

Destra has a much better track record overseas 'I get my rewards when I travel'
By Suzette Edwards-Lewis email: suzetteedwardslewis@tntmirror.com 01.26.05

SOCA sensation, Destra Garcia, has become a household name for Carnival
2005, but she has won most of her accolades overseas. The Laventille
resident, who entered the Soca arena about five years ago, has certainly
made her mark in the industry. She placed third in the International Soca
Monarch competition in 1993 and 1994, and has twice placed second in the
Road March race. But Destra has not limited herself to just local
competitions, and it has paid off for her on the North American circuit.
She has been the Miami Road March Monarch for two consecutive years, with
We Carnival and Bonnie and Clyde. And she won five more soca awards in New
York recently.

"I do not feel disappointed when I do not win anything here, because I get
personal satisfaction from my fans who appreciate my music. "And, in any
event, I get my rewards when I travel," Destra told TnT Mirror last week.
"My main goal, as an artiste, is to have a good song that the people like,"
she explained. "That is more important to me, than any title." Destra, who
is now being hailed as the "Soca Queen", continued: "I am really enjoying
my season. "My music career is getting better and better all the time. "It
was truly an honour to have my first concert at the Divas in Concert, and
again at the Youth Fest. "My success is just a living example that
Laventille has great people, despite the odds."

According to Destra, her success would not have been possible if it was not
for Kernel Roberts the son of the late Aldwin Roberts, The Grandmaster,
Kitchener. How did these two hook up? "Carlyle Juiceman came and told me
that there was this girl who was singing with Roy Cape, and that he would
like me to help her out with a song," Kernel explained. "And when I met
Destra and heard her sing, she was even more than I expected," he added.
That was the beginning of a beautiful professional relationship between the
two.

That was how Tremble It came into being, and Destra became a soca diva.
"Destra is a pleasure to work with," Kernel continued. "She brings life
into my compositions. "I really could not have done better." "Next year, we
are not looking to win Road March, but just to please our fans," Destra
pointed out. "In fact, we want to come second," Kernel chimed in.
"It was also nice to work with Roy Cape," Destra noted. "He was the one who
gave me the start, and the opportunity, even though I did not have any
experience. "I also want to thank the band, Atlantik, for making me one of
their members.
"And Kernel, again, for having me as the singer for his compositions. I
have learned so much from him. "And I cannot forget Terrence James, my
producer, Junior Ibo, Darren Grant, KMC, Fabian Alfonzo, Chinese Laundry,
Machel Montano, Maximus Dan, Bunji Garlin, my parents, my fans and Almighty
God," Destra ended.

Much love to Destra. She does her thing and she does it well.

Nice article...

must be a typo unless this was another monarch competition outside ah tnt. maybe meant 2003 and 2004 placed 3rd.



salty

if i did wunna, i would worry about dat.... people does have a hard time reading in between lines.

She actually came 2nd in 2003 and 3rd in 2004.
Destra right oui.
Doh fight down Trinidad fuh title. Just do it for the people.

Well, she certainly have her followers including me, I love her music and I give her much support.

Big- up to Destra;

Like i stated in a thread back in 2004, " another good year and the title is hers "


Well, her big tune so far " We Say So ' put her over the top , the title is hers.

dey need to stop with dat!!... she aint no Soca Queen ... dat title been taken by Alison from time!.... she got some good songs and performances but aint no Queen

Get in touch with reality....If you are the Heavyweight Champ of the World, you have to defend your title....Clearly,....that title is up for grabs....The only female artist over the last fours years that as held it down is clearly Destra...yes we all know that she is no Alison.... but we are speaking currently...no one else is getting the job done....



If you are running a radio station for the lass 5 yr...and you are #1, does that mean the title is yours forever ?


get with the program !

Reality Check..You Think Allison is going to keep that Title forever? She had her time in the light....she chose to step down being number 1..

Allison will always be the first and original "Soca Queen", but currently this title belongs to Destra.

No Soca Diva has produced has much hits in the last 4 years like Destra. Give the girl her credit... she is definitely the woman leading soca music these days.

I dont know anyone with as much nice tunes as Destra over the past 3-4 years.
Only person that comes to mind is Shadow But Destra definately has the most tunes behind Shadow.

road march or not.....she has made an immortal soca tune in CELEBRATE....i play that tune in my soca set for these all ages bashment kids in T.O. alongside Rupees Jump and Squre One's Togetherness and it gets an equal if not stronger reaction.....so whatever happens to she....SHE MADE HER MARK! WE JUMPIN>>>>AND WAVIN!

Yeh big up Destra for real, she really doing her thing musically, I think we still have alot more of her to see and hear!!!

Oh, and I agree, she is the current SOCA QUEEN...over the last 4 years and runnin...