Mt Lambert-based soca artiste Lawrence Gonzalez Adams, fondly known as Mr Renzo, says he is hoping to tap into Latin American markets after C2k13 celebrations. As the season gains momentum, Adams has been enjoying airplay with a slew of songs including Xrated, Sueltate (Spanish for Let Loose), Bend Yuh Back and Leh She Be She.
Relaxing at home in the company of his mother/popular clairvoyant Yesenia Gonzalez, Adams, 29, spoke about the excitement his music had generated for the Carnival season.
In the background, statues of the Blessed Madonna and Chinese vases with blue floral patterns enhanced the decor. Paintings of faceless cowboys (llaneros) shaded by sombreros reflected Adams' Venezuelan heritage.
Adams said, "I had an amazing season. The first was Xrated and we had a music video produced by Precision Productions. People went crazy. It was released on Synergy TV. For Sueltate I went back to my mom's native Venezuela to do the recording. It was done on Margarita island. A local talent Kern Rose directed it. While I wrote it, it was done by Rayza Thomas and Sherrif Mumbles (Keron Thompson). He did some producing for Bunji Garlin. We enlisted the help of Jrod Records.
"Then I released Bend Yuh Back which incorporates hot salsa rhythms. It was produced by Sister Blu and Mill Beatz. They are two young producers who did well this season."
Adams has been locked in a whirlwind of performances ranging from private functions to schools like St Joseph Secondary School and occasional charities. He said he got a lot of bookings for the season.
Pushing forward
But Adams is keenly aware local artistes have to hunt for new markets to release their material after Carnivalesque celebrations have subsided. T&T has already established strong trade relations with Latin American countries like Chile and Colombia. Spanish is being purported as the second official language here. Adams is making a concerted effort to take soca and other indigenous musical expressions there.
"I am going to try Latin America. Most of the songs I released here will be translated into Spanish. Another song Jook and Stab and Gyal Come are two collaborations that he intends to remix into popular versions. I will be collaborating with Latin American artistes," he said.Adams is optimistic it makes good business sense since Latin Americans like to enjoy themselves to the hilt.
"There is spring break around the time of Easter. A lot of people flock to Por-La-Mar...A lot of students. It draws a huge crowd. People like to party. It would be great to get the music out there globally."Latin American music connoisseurs enjoy many varieties, ranging from the simple, rural conjunto music of northern Mexico to the sophisticated habanera of Cuba, or the symphonies of Heitor Villa-Lobos to the simple and moving Andean flute. Its music has played an important part in turbulent recent history, for example the nueva canci�n movement.
Adams remains committed to his craft. "Music is a marriage. I am not married. I have no children. You have to go through different stages to make a break and a hit. You have to keep your chin up and push forward. Take advice from other artistes. You might never know when it is the right time. Keep looking at the bright side," he said.He thanked his family including his father the late Lawrence Adams, stepfather/engineer Ken Nobbee and big brother/manager David Adams for their sterling contribution.
He also paid kudos to vocalist Richard Pierre, producer Bob St Clair, Bunji Garlin, DJ Ron Saunders, Marlon Grant and Saucy Wow for their professional guidance throughout his career."Saunders will catch a bullet for me. The support from friends and family means more than gold to me," said Adams.