By Michael Mondezie
Christian Kalpee is putting the musical pedal to the metal in Southeast Asia.
The new calypso/pop act continues to shout his family name across the globe, this time delivering a high energy set that accelerated pulses at the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines, Singapore Grand Prix on September 15.
Kalpee and his band, which includes Sangre Grande-born musical director Joshua Salcedo on keys and bass and Kwami Morrison on guitars and Ghanian drummer Joey Wealthyland, performed a 45-minute set on The Wharf Stage at the 2023 edition of the Grand Prix.
The ‘Put a Record On’ singer, who first performed in Singapore in 2018 and last travelled to the Southeast Asian island nation as part of the MusicTT contingent at the Music Matters Festival last year, called the Grand Prix ‘a unique epic experience’.
‘It was a dream, if I’m being honest, and the experience was one that I’ll carry with me for life,’ an earnest Kalpee told the Kitcharee during an online exchange on Thursday.
Kalpee and his band performed a total of four shows in Singapore as they also headlined at Clarke Quay as part of the city’s Grand Prix season and appeared at the Scape Ground Theatre for Music Matters Live.
There the introspective singer was also once again invited by the Music Matters Academy to join a star-studded mental health discussion panel that included American music mogul Russell Simmons, Zendyll music agency founder Joh Chua and music managers Stephen O’Reilly and Troy Carter.
‘I was once again grateful to be invited back this year not only to perform at Music Matters Live but also to talk on the Mental Health Matters panel. As part of the Grand Prix Singapore season the events are integrated and attended by some very influential individuals who, having seen my show last year invited me to perform at this years Singapore Airlines, Singapore Grand Prix.
‘We were also invited to perform on the VIP Paddock Stage which was breathtaking, to say the least, with views of the F1 pit and the racers’ meeting stations which meant we got to see Carlos Sainz Jr after winning the race,’ Kalpee gushed.
Staying true to self
Kalpee credits a deep determination ‘to stay true to self ‘ for the real impact his music continues to have in connecting with new cultures.
‘Honestly, I feel that the most important thing when being an artiste is to be true to yourself and your music. I work hard on producing and writing songs that resonate with myself first. My intention is to inspire and motivate, so I make it my responsibility to put good energy into my music. I don’t necessarily change anything to fit a situation or performance, I just work hard to always make sure it’s the best it can be, every time,’ he explained.
In taking his hybrid pop and R& B infused new calypso sound to new markets he remains acutely aware that he is standing on the shoulders of past calypso icons. To add to his musical credits, Kalpee is the founder of ‘Iza Island Wave’, a platform dedicated to bringing Caribbean music to the forefront of the international music scene and the Official Caribbean Stage at South by South Western (SXSW) music festival held annually in Austin, Texas in the US.
‘I just feel grateful and blessed for every experience gifted to me, seeing people from different countries and cultures resonate with the music for what it is and what it stands for, makes me remember my purpose and it really inspires me to keep pushing though the tough moments of being an artiste.
‘It’s blood, sweat and tears out here, but that’s part of the journey and I’m a proud Trinbagonian who will continue to represent in my own way and do what feels authentic to me. I’ve performed calypso since the age of six, so it’s important to me for my heritage to be represented within my sound always,’ he maintained.
Unapologetic self-expression is the most empowering practice an artiste can employ, he reasons, adding ‘that’s how we grow and evolve the culture’.
‘My advice to artistes is to firstly respect the creative process because that by itself is a gift. Be responsible with your voice, but create how you see it, be mirrors of society. There aren’t any rules to creativity so be free with your art and place no boundaries around yourself,’ he nodded.
Kalpee is currently completing his debut full album, set for release next Spring. He plans to bring that show to these shores and says he is open to more collaborations with acts on the islands.
‘I wanna keep it a surprise but I’m always open, there’s honestly a special energy working with artistes from back home and it’s powerful when we connect. I’m really excited about this next body of work and I can’t wait to share it with you all.
‘Blessings, Love & Light!’ he concluded.
