My name is Jaiga

Jaiga who? 

If you’re hearing that name and trying to figure out who is the new soca artiste with such a familiar voice, it’s because the voice belongs to Terrin Callender, the soca artiste formerly known as Super Jigga TC. 

In recent years, the San Juan native has been making the transition from DJ to television host, to singer and songwriter.

In a telephone interview with the T&T Guardian, he explained the reason for the name change and his focus this Carnival season.

“I have always wanted to change the name but TC or Super Jigga stuck with my fans and the right opportunity to change it never really presented itself until now,” said Callender. The 96.1FM DJ and presenter recalled some years ago while waiting on a flight at London Heathrow Airport, a conversation with a Brit about soca music sparked the idea to change his name.

“I met this woman and we struck up a conversation and I let her listen to some of my music on my laptop and when she was leaving she asked me what my stage name was, so she can tell her friends and when I told her Super Jigga TC, her response was: “Don’t you find that’s a bit much to remember?” 

“That’s when I really decided to change it,” he said.

Callender who penned the international hit What I Want, sung by Synergy Soca star winner Fireball in 2008, said the name Jaiga was actually a name he was called by a close friend who would mock his then sobriquet, Jigga.

“Every time he saw me he would say what’s happening Jaiga—a play on the name Jigga. “Then Shal (Shal Marshall, his on air co-host), joked about it on air one day and at the same time my homeboy who does all my graphics, Lee Aleong, heard him while driving home; went home and did an amazing graphic with the name and it just stuck,” said Calendar.

He admitted, however, the change was a big risk, as many fans still search for him online as Super Jigga TC. But the 36-year-old said the risk was worth taking.

“I wanted to go hard once I changed the name, so that people will eventually get in tune with it. It’s taking some time as my fans are still familiarising themselves with it but I am not too worried,” said Callender. 

The word Jaiga is a unique word, a search for it online, comes right back to Callender. So what does it mean? 

“I want Jaiga to mean love,” Callender says.

This year, Callender has put out his first full album. He co-wrote five of the ten songs including Keisha, Homeland, Juice, All I Want and Don’t Turn Around. 

Callender is sitting out the competitions this year, and is focusing his energies in other areas. 

“I have not entered any competitions this year. I just really want to focus on the brand and my younger fans so they can grow with Jaiga.”