Sherwin Jeremiah, 34, is on a musical journey. He left the soca trio 3Suns, where he was lead vocalist, and for the last two years has been having decent success as a solo soca artist.
Jeremiah, known to his fans as M1 or Menace, has been having a fruitful 2016 and has the chance to participate in the International Soca Monarch finals.
This year, Jeremiah does not need a shot to cool his soca fever–which he's spreading with his infectious 2K16 offering–Action. The song appears on Orchestra Riddim, produced by Chain Links Production from the Big Blood Studios in Sangre Grande. The Riddim also hosts a number of other artistes such as Olatunji Yearwood, Skinny Fabulous and Destra Garcia.
"The season nice," says a husky voiced Jeremiah during a Skype interview with the T&T Guardian.
With five releases, the father of one boasts he is receiving gigs every other day to perform at pre-Carnival events. He is gearing up, though, to bring his A game at this weekend's Soca Monarch semifinals where he plans to, in his own words, "Mash up d place" and make it to the finals for sure this time around.
Jeremiah said the song Action, which he wrote and will perform at the semifinals, was actually quite a last minute decision.
"Millbeatz (producer David Millien) came to me last minute with the beat...like two days before launching the riddim, and all I had was a hook and muse two lines. But he was adamant I come to the studio and do something. So we spent from night until morning until the song was complete and I remember immediately having a good feeling about it," Jeremiah recalls.
He says, like his other songs, Action is a people song–something the young, old and those in between can enjoy and relate to.
"I always try to write songs that everybody can understand. I believe that music is a universal thing that everybody should be able to understand and enjoy."
He says as he continues to grow as a solo artiste, his music will be influenced by all genres.
"I like to keep it fresh and original. I do not place borders or limitations on my music in any way. You must be able to enjoy my music anywhere you are in the world. That is my goal," says Jeremiah.
Once again this year you will also find the songwriter as a guest artiste at Machel Monday 2016. This would be the third year he is guest starring. "It is a particular kind of respect having someone like HD respect and enjoy your music, because he has the eye for spotting a hit and the ear for good music."
Jeremiah has got his eye on soca and calypso folk–like Lyrikal and the Mighty Shadow–as future prospects for a collaboration.
"I admire Lyrikal's consistency with good music since he came on the scene. He is really a serious guy about his music. And, well, I always wanted to work with Shadow–he is like one of my all time favourites from yesteryear. To work with him would be off the chain," Jeremiah reveals. Asked what were his thoughts on this year's Carnival music, Jeremiah said some are sweet and some are sour, but then again that's the case every year.
"It matters not that it is a short season. What matters is artistes putting 200 per cent behind their music and their craft," he commented. He said he began releasing songs since last September as he knew the season was a short one and artistes would need to get their songs out there, playing on the radio and in parties to build a momentum.
"Unless you are Machel Montano or Bunji or one of those more established artistes, you don't wait to release your song late, late and expect a forward. You would get left behind. So artistes have to do their homework too. If you know doing soca music is not just a side hustle for you, then you have got to step up your game," Jeremiah advises.
The Big People Ting hit maker is also counting his blessings, or his dollars, as he is booked for several events after Carnival outside of Trinidad. "Things are really moving for me and I am moving with it. This year is no talk, just action."
More info:
For bookings visit Sherwin "M1" Jeremiah on Facebook by typing in his name, Sherwin Jeremiah. Find him on Twitter @Sherwin Jeremiah.