Tony Cuttz is currently one of the most popular singers in Guyana in the Chutney genre, owing to his song “My Johnny Walker” which has become an anthem, gaining him fans not just at home, but also in Trinidad, other parts of the Caribbean, North America and even all the way in South Africa.
The song’s video has attracted over three million views on YouTube. Meanwhile, his latest single “Leh We Go”, which was released two weeks ago, is currently getting airplay on local stations as well as in Trinidad.
Born Remesh Brijnauth in Suriname, Tony Cuttz grew up with three younger siblings at their grandparents’ home in Little Abary, Mahaicony. Country life was not always the easiest, the singer recalled, but it provided him with skills like swimming, and learning to catch fish with a cast net among other things. He professed gratitude for such experiences.
Tony recalled hearing his grandfather sing every night before he slept, filling their home with old Indian melodies. His grandfather, therefore, was his first musical inspiration. Tony later moved to Trinidad where he lived for 12 years. During his time there, he did a number of jobs and finally settled on barbering. His business was called ‘Tony Cuttz’ which he has adapted as his stage name.
About nine years ago, Tony found a new interest in singing gospel songs at church. But even then, never imagined himself performing in front of a crowd as he was content providing the trendiest cuts for his customers.
During his free time in the barbershop, Tony would sing and play his guitar, which he taught himself to play. He can also play the keyboard. One of his most precious memories was during a visit to Guyana to see his family. His late grandmother, he said, knowing his love for music told him she was going to take him to a store and get him a keyboard. He was worried about putting a dent in the old woman’s savings, so when she asked which one he wanted, he picked the cheapest one available.
Three years ago Tony returned to Guyana and began operating a barbershop with one of his brothers at Lusignan. This was when things changed. “It all started in the barbershop. Vicadi [Singh, a local Chutney singer] is one of my customers,” Tony said. “I was cutting his hair and we got to talking about music when I asked him if he know a song and sang it for him. It was Vicadi who told me to take up singing. He took me with him to the Chutney Monarch and other events he performed at. He also made me the [lead] ‘Rajput’ in his song ‘Rajput’.”
Sometime later another customer who he knows as ‘Shazam’ walked into his shop and asked him to sing a song for him. When he was finished, the man took some money out of his pocket, handed it to him and told him to go the next day and record his song. Shazam, he noted, still remains one of his sponsors and biggest supporters today.
“I don’t think I would be here today without these people giving me a push,” said Tony.
To date the singer has released nine songs. The other seven are, “Roti”, “Neighbour Roti”, “Baby You Know” (which was the first song he recorded), “Pado Baby”, “One More Try”, “Give We De Soca”, and “Friendship Gon End” which he did in collaboration with Vicadi Singh.
Last year, the singer participated in the local Chutney Monarch Competition with his song “Neighbour Roti”. While he has a great lot of support for what he does, the same cannot be said about everyone. “We all have challenges. People try to discourage you sometimes. One of the [contestants] at the Chutney Monarch Competition last year told me he was going to win. I didn’t mind, he said that but asked him, so what about me because that was the first time I was doing something like that, being in a competition. He told me, ‘don’t worry about you, you now come’. I ended up finishing third in the competition and he didn’t place,” Tony shared.
That was not his first time on stage. Tony first performed in front of a crowd at last year’s Phagwah event held at the National Stadium. To date, it remains the biggest stage he has performed on and one of the most nerve-wracking events in his life.
“I was scared. I didn’t want to go on,” he recalled. He shared his concerns with singer Terry Gajraj who was also performing at the event and Terry tried to ease his nerves by telling him it was going to be alright and not to worry too much. Tony ended up doing two performances that night. Asked whether his stage fright was quelled during any of his performances, the singer said, surprisingly, that did not happen. But since then a lot has changed for the singer and he has come to love being on stage.
Tony is currently with the Shakti Strings Band and Studios (owned by producer Avinash Roopchand) and is one of the lead singers. Through the band, he has had numerous stage experiences and has seen much more of Guyana including the Essequibo Coast, Kwakwani, Wakenaam, Leguan and all over Berbice.
Just recently he competed in the finals for the Trinidad and Tobago Chutney Soca Monarch Competition. He did not place and while many Guyanese were very disappointed and took to social media to share this, Tony is not bothered about not placing. He is looking forward to many other competitions. However, he has not entered this year’s Chutney Monarch Competition in Guyana as there was not enough time to prepare a new song and participants cannot enter one that was already in another competition. Guyana’s competition stays away from promoting alcohol as well and is more culturally inclined.
Asked about upcoming projects, the singer shared that he and his grandfather have plans to do a song together for their family. “He told me one day that he will sing for other people to hear and he will take away all the girls,” Tony chuckled.
Tony also anticipates working with other local and international artistes, particularly Trinidadian singer Neval Chatelal whose songs he really likes.
In his free time, this talented Leo loves to sleep, or whenever he can, socialize with family and bask in nearby natural waterways.
The artiste can be followed on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok @Tony Cuttz.
