Wen'D launched her single "Flags" last Saturday at Tudor Rose, West London alongside Iwer and Naya George. She was backed by "FrontPage" and "Terry Blue" daughter of Superblue who has backed Wen'D at the NWAC shows for the past three years.
Wen’D hails from South Trinidad - San Fernando where she lived for 15 years before migrating to London to study and build a career for herself.She spent her teenage years listening to calypso greats such as “the late Lord Kitchener”, “the Mighty Sparrow”, “Black Stalin” and “Superblue”. Actively involved in the Caribbean music scene for quite a number of years ranging from managing to performing, she was the European Manager for one of Trinidad’s greatest dancehall masters, “General Grant” from 1993-1998.
From 1997-1998, she managed a 10 piece soca band, “Touchdown Massive” led by Junior English. In early December 1999, Wen’D graced the stage with “FrontPage”, London’s largest and most reputable soca band, led by the ever talented, Odian Cyrus “Skunky”. “FrontPage”, backed by BWIA Cocoyea has contributed significantly to the continuation of soca and calypso among the Trinidadian Diaspora in London.
By 2001, Wen’D felt confident enough to produce her first album entitled “The First Chapter Vs 1-9” and also re-entered the London Calypso Monarch competition.
Both ventures were extremely successful as she became the first woman to win the Nottinghill Carnival Calypso Monarch competition which is now in its 10th year!
Her album features her winning song, “Immigrant’s Dilemma” penned by her neighbour, Othneil Bacchus “Tobago Crusoe”; “Daddy’s Love” penned by one of her dearest friends, soca diva “Knycky Cordner” and a tribute to Machel Montano penned by herself amongst other tracks.
By the late 2001, Wen’D explored the arena of a writer for other artists and penned the lyrics behind “Singing Amichia” who won the London Paddington Ecco Competition. “Singing Amichia” also won the Junior Monarch Calypso competition this year with another song penned by her, called “Happiness…”.
She also wrote songs for the defending Junior Monarch “Celestial Star” “Black Heroes” which earned her third place and “Trini Sisters” who placed 4th with, “From the Mind of a Child…”.
For the 2003 carnival season, Wen’D has already recorded 2 soca tracks which were arranged in Miami this year by her cousin Nigel Lewis called “Ah want u to” written by Nigel Lewis and “Flags” written by herself.
Both songs are receiving an extensive amount of airplay on London’s Choice FM by Martin Jay, the “Prince of Soca” amongst other soca DJ’s.
Wen’D will record her social commentary contribution, “BlackMan” written by Tobago Crusoe at the studios of Martin “Mice“ Raymond in Trinidad.
When asked about her motivation for contributing towards the artform, she replied “recognising the need for more women on the soca/calypso scene which has been male dominated over the years, I decided to make my contribution in song”. The women who continue to inspire her are soca divas, Calypso Rose, Ella Andall, Singing Sandra, Denise Plummer, Denise Belfon, Knycky Cordner and Candy Hoyte..
