Royquinn ‘Remedy’ Fredericks is set to release his new single “Mann Up” next week.
The singer/songwriter is Essequibian; he grew up in Queenstown, on the coast.
The Essequibian was born and grew up in Queenstown. “I born hearing music,” he said. “My father had a [music] set and was a Selector.” His father writes music as well and would sometimes sit with his guitar playing as he sang.
Remedy attended the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School, where he was always part of something; he represented his school at Mashramani nationals, even in Physical Display. He recalled that while a first former, many days he would be singing and rapping among friends after school at the car park. His friends and family he said, always encouraged him and it was during his early school years at secondary school that he wrote his first song, “Do You Remember.” He recalled that it was written because of his first crush in his primary school years who had left the country during that time.
Having done Agricultural Science at secondary school, Royquinn moved on to study Forestry at the University of Guyana (UG). He has completed his Diploma and is now a third-year student on his way to getting his degree. It was at UG that he found friends who also share the same liking and talent for music. They’d meet often to sing and rap and it was through this that “It Ain’t Worth Nothing Without You” was recorded.
“Essequibo has a lot of hidden talents,” Remedy said. For “It Ain’t Worth Nothing Without You” he collaborated with two other Essequibians, Esan Benzy and Malcolm F. “The song was recorded like three months before I left for the interior on an assignment. It was released without me knowing. When I came back, I heard it. I was shocked!” said the singer. “Soon after a few of my friends were telling me about this song that came out and about this guy ‘Remedy’ that sang it not knowing that I was Remedy. They even played the song for me and then I told them I was one of the persons that did the song. After the good reviews I got: they were encouraging and I was overwhelmed. I knew I had to do more recording.”
Although Remedy has released only one song since, he has many songs yet to be recorded and released. “Sometimes right in class I write music or record them on my phone,” he said. The singer has a good memory and showed off his skill during an interview with The Scene, remembering songs that he would have done years ago.
He’s inspired by his family who he said is always there listening as he reads or sings the lyrics. “I always get their feedback. My dad sometimes says, ‘Like you love music more than UG’ but the support is always there from them: My cousins Sheldon Walcott, and Jay Anderson, who would gave me advice now and again. My friends also have a big influence on my music. They were the first persons to hear my music when it came out.
“I’m also inspired by singers like Natural Black, Mystic, John Legend, Jahiem, Drake, Nas and R. Kelly, especially R. Kelly. It’d be an honour to meet him someday. When he delivers, he delivers. Like almost every song is a hit. He’s a hit maker. He’s my inspiration; the reason why I write,” said the singer/fan.
Remedy speaks of the challenges singers like himself face. “We got a lot of talented people in Guyana. Our Guyanese people don’t go all out for their people like Trinidadians would go all out for Machel Montano. Our musicians are growing and putting in a lot of work. We have become more creative. We should get the support from our Guyanese people and I’m begging for that support. You should be a star at home first before elsewhere,” he stressed. “Promote our local artistes. Highlight more local artistes at these shows and concerts and pay them what they deserve because at the end of the day the local artistes work just as hard [as the international artistes]. To put a two to three minutes song together we [artistes] practice for many hours. It’s very hard.”
Royquinn knows that other upcoming artistes will face the same challenges and wishes that they would stay strong no matter the cost. “Be yourself and stay original,” he advised. “Keep your accent. People will love Creolese, but you’ve got to love it first. I believe Creolese is one of our signatures as Guyanese. Although my songs are not fully Creolese it can be found in some of my songs.”
He continues, “Don’t ever burn bridges in the music industry. Stay friends with everyone. That same person might be the very one to help. Don’t pretend to be anybody. Don’t pattern anybody. Be you. Despite your inspirations or mentors.
You could take something from them all if you like but keep it you. Be a good listener. I take advice from people. I’m doing this for my fans so taking advice is something I try to do. A lot of times people out there go through something and this is a way of me helping to get that out there. You have to always think about your fans because without them you’re nothing.”
When the singer/student isn’t busy recording music or studying he enjoys working out at the gym or home, dancing to all kinds of music and travelling.
He considers himself a “Jack of all trades and master of none” as he has always been a handyman. He said being part of his family means being “an all-rounder”. The youngest of six children, he believes he has to try harder, though a few of his brothers have paved the way for him.
“I used to want to be in the spotlight but phases in my life have made me humble,” he said. “There were people who came and went, who made promises about getting my stuff out there, but I remained humble cause I know someday my music will be out there. I want to help people with my songs. To be able to help persons zone out from the problems they’d face.”
Remedy holds steadfast that with time he will be one of the artistes to put Guyana on the map. “Expect anything from me,” he declared, “because I’m mainstream [an artiste that sings any genre]. I don’t limit myself so don’t limit me as an artiste. I see myself standing out and waving my flag internationally.”
Remedy also shares his reason for writing his upcoming song, “Mann up.” He said, “I was looking at a current situation at that time. A friend of mine’s spouse left her at home with a child while he was out having fun and I realized that’s something a lot of men do today so that’s how the song came about.”
Also coming soon is a mixed tape ‘I’m Evolving’ and a few other singles. Remedy is currently working with DP Records.
