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Duncan takes on fame
...but the little prodigy stays grounded
Published:
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Aaron Duncan performs his winning composition, Boy Doh Waste It at the 2010 Junior Calypso Monarch Competition.
He is the loveable eight year-old boy people can’t seem to get enough of. And when Aaron Duncan touches the stage, you can bet all your pennies you will be entertained. Singing since the tender age of three as a background vocalist for his sister, a then aspiring calypsonian, this brilliant second standard student at Newtown Boys’ RC said he always knew he would be commanding a stage one day. With his recent victories in the Flavourite Supreme Ice-cream Junior Soca Monarch Competition and the Tuco/First Citizens Junior Calypso Monarch, this little super star is certainly doing what he was born to do.
Duncan placed first in both competitions two weeks ago, singing Ah Home, to gain him the Junior Soca Monarch title and Ah Learning, which gave him his third consecutive win as the Junior Calypso Monarch.
The T&T Guardian caught up with Duncan, who was still basking in his glory, and this is what he shared with us. “Ah Home was written by Akeem Chance also known as 3D. This song was about me not being able to go anywhere for Carnival because my mommy always saying no. But this year things will be different,” he explained of the story-line behind his compositions.
He said the other song, Ah Learning, was written by Larry Yearwood and really addressed the real life situation of him frequently not being able to attend school because of the amount of travelling he does, but at the same time still managing to do well at school. “My mommy helps me out a lot when I am absent from school. I do not really miss anything because she calls my teacher and gets whatever I miss, and when I return we go through it together,” articulated Duncan. So does this get difficult for Duncan, having such a tight schedule? He says absolutely not. “It’s not difficult at all. I actually find it is very easy and a lot of fun.”
Still a regular kid
At school Duncan confessed he is treated like a celebrity by his peers. He said some of the kids just see him as Aaron Duncan the classmate, while others see him as Aaron Duncan the celebrity. “I have both types of friends but they are all my friends the same,” he laughed. Asked how he deals with being famous as an eight year-old boy? Duncan noted: “I know that I am famous but I am also just a regular kid.” Like anyone else, Duncan also has role models. For him, he admires the Mighty Sparrow and soca icon Machel Montano.
“I admire them both because they are very good at what they do.” Needless to say, he welcomes the comments of his supporters when they compare him to a young Machel Montano. “I feel good because everywhere I go people call me young Machel.” Duncan said he got the opportunity to perform at NAPA with Montano and was also featured on a Sunshine Snacks commercial with the super star as ‘mini’ Machel.
“It was like a real dream come true when I met Machel,” he added.
This is my career
At such a tender age Duncan has already visited more countries than some adults have in their lifetime. His remarkable performing skills have taken him overseas, stamping his name in Barbados, England, New York, Montreal, Toronto and Boston. “I performed in Barbados’ Junior Monarch Competition. I also received two certificates from the city of Boston when I performed there,” disclosed Duncan. In an excited tone he added: “Actually when I performed in Toronto, they threw money on the stage for me.”
So does this little mover and shaker want a full time career in entertainment? He says yes, but on one condition. “I want this to be my career but I still want to do good at my academics.” He also gave a few words of advice to youngsters like himself who want to become entertainers. “Never give up! Love God, never hate God and love your parents,” he admonished.
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