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pioneer wrote:Did jamaicans support Bunji and Machel for soul train awards?
pioneer wrote:Did jamaicans support Bunji and Machel for soul train awards?
TriniAutoMart wrote:Jamaica is boycotting T&T. We had a Caribbean sporting event over the weekend. The Jamaican contingent did not attend.
TriniAutoMart wrote:Jamaica is boycotting T&T. We had a Caribbean sporting event over the weekend. The Jamaican contingent did not attend.
Tessanne thanks T&T for support
Author:
Laura Dowrich-Phillips
Date:
Saturday, October 12, 2013
“Trinidad is my second home, I love that place so much, it’s my favourite place to be,” gushed Tessanne Chin. Speaking to Metro from Jamaica via phone, the singer was ebullient in her reaction to the news that many Trinbagonians were supporting her efforts to win The Voice, a weekly singing show on NBC. The 29-year-old has felt a particular bond with T&T since spending a month in 2011 with Kes the Band. She even filmed the video here for Loving You, her collaboration with Kees Dieffenthaller. “I love everything in Trinidad. I love meh doubles, meh buss up shut,” she said in that distinct Jamaican twang that made The Voice judges swoon when she sang during the blind auditions two weeks ago. Though she is well-known in the Caribbean for her biggest hit to date, Hideaway, Tessanne is still a relative unknown in the wider world and The Voice, she said, is a platform to take her talent worldwide. “My purpose for entering is to further my skill. When you stay in one place too long you get comfortable and I wanted a platform to branch off into a bigger market, to make waves in the world and fly the flag for Jamaica and the Caribbean,” she said.
Responding to those who initially criticised her decision to enter the show because she is considered an established artist in the Caribbean, she said making it is relative. “At home, meaning the Caribbean, there is a certain level of success I achieved but that is not making it. I grew up listening to Whitney Houston and Celine Dion and Beyonce and I wanted to have a career like that.” “I am proud of everything I have achieved at home but for Caribbean people there is a yearning to show the world we are more than what you think. We could have the wickedest gospel singers, pop singers, rappers,” she said, recalling an open mic she attended at Movie Towne and being blown away by the talents of the young people who sang songs from Adele and Beyonce. “Those young people and the young people in Jamaica inspired me to get it myself,” she said. She credited dancehall star Shaggy for coming up with the idea to try out on The Voice, stating that he is one of the few stars in Jamaica who looks out for younger artistes. Her lawyer, she said, had actually approached her with the idea before but the timing was not right. Tessanne said there were many times she wanted to give up singing and just lead a life like everyone else but last year she made up her mind that no matter what she would always be singing.
Although she expected to be treated as a number on the show, Tessanne said the treatment on The Voice far exceeded her expectations. “It’s not about ridiculing people,” she said. “You go through four auditions before you get to the blind auditions. This is what puts The Voice above the rest. It’s about finding quality voices. They give you vocal coaches and the best of hair and makeup before the blind auditions,” she revealed. The blind auditions weren’t as nerve wracking for her since, she said, coming from the Caribbean where it is hard to please people, prepared her. Still, when the audience cheered and all four coaches turned their chairs, she was floored. To hear these established singers compliment her voice and rendition of Pink’s Try validated her even more. Talking about Adam Levine, the coach who she chose to be her mentor, Tessanne said she looks up to both him and fellow judge Christina Aguilera in every possible way. She chose Adam however, because his musical style is versatile and similar to what she wants to emulate.
“He is such a musical chameleon, you hear everything in his music and his band’s. I don’t want to be boxed in, I want to have a little flair of the islands too.” Of her song choice, Tessanne said she admires Pink and the song was chosen because of the message. “That was me getting up and trying again.” Next Monday the Battle Round begins and while she couldn’t reveal the outcome, Tessanne said she would be watching with everyone else. Should she survive that round she will be into the live rounds where viewers can then vote each week for their favourites. In the meantime, she thanks T&T for all the love and support. “Long before The Voice you have been sending me good vibes. I can’t wait to return to eat some bake and shark and doubles and all the good stuff.”
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