(Trinidad Guardian) With a career spanning over 20 years, Rikki Jai is a name synonymous in both the chutney and soca arenas and, of course, the mixing of the two distinctively Trini rhythms into what is commonly known as chutney soca. He burst onto the scene back in 1988 with his classic Sumintra and followed up that hit with popular party favourites such as Pumping, Bolo, Mor Tor and Barman, and is the most crowned king in the annual chutney soca competition with six wins to date. He was crowned champion at the 2011 Chutney Soca Monarch, and took home $2 million in prize money with the song White Oak and Water. He has collaborated with Machel, Bunji and now with Destra in a remix of his 2012 Pania. Born Samraj Jaimungal 47 years ago in Friendship Village, San Fernando, where he still resides, he tied for first place (with Bunji Garlin) for the Young King title in 2001 and also made it to the Calypso Monarch final at Dimanche Gras that year with his compositions A Good Father and Identity, placing seventh. He also won the South Calypso Monarch and the National Unattached Calypso Monarch in that year. He has toured extensively in the Caribbean, the US, Canada and Europe. In 1997 he formed part of a cultural delegation from Trinidad to India and was again invited in 2004 to perform there. He accompanied the Soca Warriors to Germany as part of the cultural troupe for the 2006 World Cup. To date, he has recorded three calypso and five chutney/chutney-soca albums.
Q: What are your soca, calypso and chutney soca plans for 2012?
A: This year I have quite a selection of songs and I intend to release an album King of the Stage which includes chutney soca, calypso and soca… some of them are Sweet Dulahin, Pania, Peeping, Pania remix with Destra, De Drinkers, Love Family Life, A Time for Healing and Doh Tell Nobody.
Who are the people who have influenced you the most (outside of your family), in your singing career?
I would say Kenny Phillips, Delamo, Cassman, Preacher, GB, Bally…these were the ones who helped me the most early in my career…hmmm, I hope I didn’t leave anyone out. If I did, please print that I’m sorry.
What advice would you give to anyone contemplating a vocation such as yours?
Believe in yourself and your ambition. This vocation, as you call it, requires stamina, grit and determination, plenty “belly”…but in the end if it’s your dream and you have what it takes, you will make it.
Find a manager who believes in you and is willing to go the distance with you since the road to the top is rocky and steep and filled with perils, and sometimes the ability to withstand all that is thrown at you may be a lot to handle if you do not have a shoulder to lean on for support.
What is your favourite thing about Carnival?
The music that is created year after year—this tremendous outpouring of talent and creativity we have—that is special for me.
Of all your performances, which would you like a first-time audience to experience?
The many sides of Rikki Jai, the ability to surprise my audience for the first time with a ballad or reggae or anything else than what they already know me for.
At which schools/institutions did you receive your education?
I went to St Paul’s Anglican, Naparima College, St Stephen’s College and Queen’s College in New York.
What jobs have you held before becoming an entertainer on a full-time basis?
I worked in a tailor shop; Ram S Mohess Tailoring, Laughlin and DeGannes, Ministry of Finance, lead singer in various music bands, and was also self-employed doing construction and many odd jobs, all to make money to make music (laughing out loudly).
What was the most difficult decision(s) you ever had to make?
Hmmm….I’d say leaving Trinidad in 1993 to further my education, and then finally resigning from my job at the Ministry of Finance, Customs Division.
What is an interesting facet of your personality that most people do not know about you?
You really starting to ask some tough ones…let’s see, that I am a really quiet and reclusive person and do not like to be out in public much.
If you had to interview someone from Trinidad and Tobago who you did not know and had to ask just one question, who would it be and what would be the one question?
I guess I would want to ask an average man or woman in the street to define what makes him or her a Trini and what is special about being such. How’s that for an answer, eh?
What else would you be if you weren’t an entertainer?
That’s an easy one. I cannot see myself being anything else really! (Laughing).
Who was your hero growing up and why? And who do you admire most today?
My dad was my hero. He was a tireless workaholic but a loving father with great values and morals, and a terrific outlook on life and family.
Today, I admire President Barack Obama the most for what he has been able to become.
What daily motto/credo do you live by, and in three words what’s your recipe for success?
I live by what I was taught in primary school—discipline, production and tolerance. These watchwords have been forever enshrined into my system and I live by them.
Live, learn and love is my recipe for
success, for life is to be lived to the fullest and is a continuous learning process and one must love what one does in order to have success.
When and how did you get into entertaining?
I got into the business in 1986, at the age of 22. I started with the band Naya Andaz which was playing in a bazaar in Oropouche and did not have a lead singer for calypsoes. I asked if they wanted a singer and the rest, as they say, is history.
Of all your accolades, accomplishments, prizes and awards, which do you rate (top three) as extremely special?
Hmmm…of course last year’s title, the young king title in 2001 and touring Germany in 2006 as part of the T&T cultural group at the World Cup finals.
What is your favourite pastime/hobby outside of entertaining?
I love movies. I am a movie buff and can watch them all day when I’m in the mood (bursts out laughing). I also love watching TV.
How would you describe yourself in one word?
Easy…lover…of life, people, nature, music, of course, and so much more.
Who are your non-local favourite entertainers of the past and present?
I love the BeeGees, also Lionel Richie, James Ingram, Phil Collins, Tom Jones, Kishore Kumar and Mukesk, to name a few from the past; and now I really love the music of Celine Dion, Rihanna and Usher.
What daily mottos do you live by?
Be honest to yourself in all you do and leave the rest to the Almighty.
What were your dreams for the future when you were a youngster?
I always dreamt of being a singer in a band and touring the world with adoring fans throwing themselves at me….(laughing).
Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
Still in the business, still on stage, but more in a managerial role for younger artistes and my band, which I am yet to launch.
What is/are the most important lesson/s you’ve learned in life?
Hold on to your family for they are the most important people in your life. Be good to your friends because good friends are rare and hard to find. Do good and good will follow you. Walk the righteous path even though it’s harder and tougher. Make a difference or initiate change even though the odds are stacked up against you. Take a stand and do not be a bench-warmer.
What advice would you give to the young people of Trinidad and Tobago?
The world is at your fingertips and it’s all yours to enjoy through hard work, sweat, courage and determination, the results of which can bring an inner sense of accomplishment that cannot be attained from shortcuts or through dishonesty.
Aren’t you glad you asked? Hahaha.
If you could dine with anyone in history, who would it be and why? What dinner conversation would you have with that person?
Mahatma Gandhi because of his simple approach to life and principle of non-violence.
I would ask him questions so that I can get an understanding of his life story.
What is the best compliment you have every received?
What a wonderful voice you have! Man, ah still smilin’ from that one (laughing out).
Who and/or what are the love(s) of your life?
Have to take the fifth here (laughing), no…but seriously my wife and children, my siblings and my parents…I love with intense passion.
