IslandMix - Soca, Reggae, Zouk and Caribbean Entertainment

The lady behind the music.


NICOLE DAVID – ST. LUCIA’S FIRST LADY OF SOCA

On a cold, Canadian winter night, a group of young ladies in need of an escape from the cold, solitary, confinement, decided to venture out for some much needed socializing. The destination on that night, Curry House - a local establishment famous for its West Indian music and the hosting of local and imported musicians from the various Caribbean islands. The spot boasts acts from Trinidad to Antigua and every island in between. On that night a local West Indian band (Groove Masters) made up primarily of St. Lucians, was holding fort.

The place was packed and the cumulative body temperature in the place had rendered the night spot conditioning unit to nothing more than an aesthetic fixture. The smell of smoke, alcohol and perspiration fused together to bring out a certain West Indian ambiance. But, Groove Master’s commanding control of the music made all that fade away, because the crowd gathered was only concerned with having a good time. Something more laid in the making for one of the young ladies there on that night.

It is customary for the band, nearing the end of the show, to call on a member of the audience, bold enough to come on stage and sing. On that night one of the young ladies, Nicole David, got called to the stage. She felt her being overcome with fear and hesitated. At the insistence of her friend, Nicole took to the stage and did and unbelievable rendition of Whitney Houston’s "I will always love you." So impressed was the audience, that she got anchored repeatedly. Soon Nicole found herself as lead vocalist for the band and being catapulted into a Soca music career.



Today Nicole sits down to have a chat with NSL’s Ted Polius….

You have been singing Soca in St. Lucia for over seven years but very few people know of you, what would you attribute that to?
If you are St. Lucian and you don’t know me, I would have to say that you haven’t been involved in the Soca music.

If you were given the job as head of a committee that oversees the development of Soca music in St. Lucia, what changes would you implement?
I would seek to set up methods of distribution so that artists in St. Lucia could have their music available to people outside of St. Lucia. Having traveled to NY, London, Canada and other parts of the world, I know there are St. Lucians in those places who would love to get their hand on our music but can’t find it unless they have someone from St. Lucia send it up to them. I would also advocate for strong copy right infringements with stiffer penalties.

Tell us some of the events at which you have performed and who did you share the stage with.
I have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with artists such as Krosfyah, Iwer George, Sparrow, Machel Montano, just to name a few. Most of the big shows I did were in Canada because as a member of Groove Masters we opened for a lot of big acts. Upon moving to St. Lucia, I joined DN5 and we did the Creole festival in Toronto, and a few shows in London.

If you were to look at some of the leading ladies in Caribbean Soca - Destra, Alison Hinds and Denise Belfon, which one of those women would you say has the greatest influence on your career in any way.
None really, the Soca artists that I would say most inspired me to become a performer would have to be the band Krosfyah. I love their energy and the ability to move the crowd. I think I am heavily prejudicial when it comes to them because they were the first major band with whom I got to perform.

Many people say you have a kind of ‘Alison Hinds’ style about you, how do you feel about that comparison?
It depends on how it is phrased - if it were that I am trying to be her that offends me, because on the onset of my Soca career, I had no knowledge of Alison Hinds. It wasn’t until I got to St. Lucia that I got to find out who she was. If they are just comparing us, I take it as a complement because Alison is great and if I am being compared to her I must be doing something right.

You have stated that you have shared the stage with a couple of well known regional artists. Do you consider yourself a regional artist?
Well I haven’t performed at too many places around the Caribbean, but I think I could stand next to anyone of them or even out perform them, so I wouldn’t limit myself to just saying that I am a regional artist, rather I am an international artist.
Take us through your first major Soca appearance.
It was in England as a member of DN5. The show was primarily a DN5 show and I was extremely nervous but once I got on stage, the crowd’s reaction to us just took away all the nervousness that I had. The St. Lucian supporters out there really made the atmosphere great. Looking out into the crowd all you saw was Lucian flags waving in the air. I will never forget that day.

Do you write you own music?
Yeah I write my music and sometimes work with Ace (Ervin Loctar).

What personal characteristic do you attribute your success to?
My bold personality which I readily display on stage. It helps me to express myself, it comes out in my writing, and goes a long way in boosting my confidence when I am on stage. I am a very outgoing and social person and I express that in my dress, my tattoo, and the weird accessories.

If you weren’t a Soca artist what profession career path do you see yourself being involved in.
Well my whole life I had ambitions to pursue something in the Soca field, so I have to tell you honestly I don’t know what I would have been doing if I wasn’t in Soca music.

Do you see yourself as a role model and if so what have you done in that capacity to help our St. Lucian kids.
I would be happy that kids out there see me as a role model, but it is a responsibility that I don’t cherish. Don’t get me wrong I love kids and if I was called upon to do anything to help a child I would be more that happy to do it. That being said, I think parents should be children’s role models.

I am certain that many times at a concert, a brother would look up at the stage and just by your gyrations, wished that he could be there with you. Have you ever looked into the audience and appreciated a brother for his stunning looks?
Well actually it is not a matter of how they feel, most times they shout it out to me. Of course there are guys out there playing all incognito, standing in a corner with their hands folded like they not feeling a sister, then after the show you see them and they try to pick you up, talk about how I looked good on stage and they liked my performance. (giggling)

What do you look for in a man?
I am looking for an intelligent gentleman who has a serious side, but also is able to get down when it comes down to it. Physical hygiene is a fundamental requirement. The ability to dress well, tall, good looking physic, light on the facial hair, but good looking very good looking.

Where would you go on a dream date?
I would have to say Paris. I know it is the city everyone chooses but I have seen magazines and heard I would really love to dine in the shadow cast by the Eiffel Tower some day.

If you are going to the beach, would it be bikini or full body?
Bikini, I hate how a full body swim suit hides my beautiful navel.

If you could choose one similarity between life as a Soca artist and dating what would it be, do elaborate?
It has to be the spontaneous aspect of both. Sometimes as an artist you rehearse for a show but things don’t always go as planned so you rely on spontaneity to help you get through the situation. Well in that same respect, I love to date people who even though they came out with a plan on how the date should go can always switch to keeping the date going when the original plan fails.

Name your top 3 Soca tunes for 2004
Machel’s Crazines;, Destra’s Bonnie and Clyd;, Wayne Winechest Jump in de band.

So what can we expect from you in 2005
More music and more music (laughing out loud). I am currently working on a new album which promises to be bigger and "badder". Including a few collaborations with some major artists, so look out for more good music from Nicole David in St. Lucia.

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www.youravon.com/vblackmoore

Opening of Jazz 2005 SLU

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www.youravon.com/vblackmoore

Is she the same person who sang winah girls? A song from DN% of a couple years ago....
the lyrics went something like:

Not because ah wining down low,
that don't make me a ho, no.......

__________________
www.youravon.com/vblackmoore

i was expecting a big bumzy though

i need to get a couple of those to make my belly look flat

woman your belly eh big

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www.youravon.com/vblackmoore

Yes she sang with DN5. And she sang this song with dem also, called Put ur waist into it, dis is how u do it.

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"Aye, don't touch me b!tch"


I swear this is the funniest ting I've heard for the week...although it's so wrong, Lol!!!!!!!!!

Nicole used to sing with DN5. Correct. However, it was Mineva Ross, the vocalist who replced her that sang "Not Because I Wining Down Low"

no wonder she queen of de jungle