Black Bush Polder lyrical genius Romeo Nermal popularly known as Romeo Mystic, will begin performing again around Guyana and on the international stage by the end of the year, having taken some time off for personal reasons and to further develop his talent.
Mystic, who has written close to 50 songs, explained in an interview with The Scene that after he took some time off for personal reasons, he decided to quietly focus on developing his craft so that he could return with a “better version of myself.”
From a young age, he said, he would often sing in high school for his classmates and did not think much of it as he believed it was something everyone did. However, when two of his friends highlighted his exceptional voice, he began wondering if a career in music was the right path for him.
At that stage, while attending a high school in Georgetown, he was told of a singing competition, and although he did not end up officially participating, he became close with musicians and other lovers of music. He started to hang around the Brutal Traxx Recording Studio, where he met several artists and produced his first set of songs.
He then signed on to take part in Star Guyana, a three-segment talent show. Mystic was knocked out of the competition. “The show you had to sing and act and do dramatic piece, so it was a three-part and when I get knock out they invite me to come and perform back every night,” Mystic said, noting that this was something which helped push his career and made him known as the show was televised.
He writes all of his songs, which allows him to be known as one of the greats among the talent corps in Guyana. “I never went into it with the thought of making money in my head,” he said. “I found an avenue to really express myself and to write and sing.”
It was his hit song “Coolie Bai”, released in 2014, that sealed the deal for him. The song is well known as one of the biggest original compositions in the chutney/soca genre in all parts of the world and continues to be played and talked about even today.
Detailing how that came about, Mystic said he was in the studio when they had the track and were going to put on a combination of artists. He recalled being the only East Indian in the studio at that time, and when he hopped on the track his first words were “I just realised me is a coolie bai, me a go sing some song like a coolie bai”; an original line which captivated everyone present.
Between 2014 and 2018, Mystic toured all parts of Guyana and the United States of America performing only his original songs; something he has always insisted on doing throughout his career. He recalled once being given a time slot of one hour where he performed songs he had not yet recorded and the crowd was extremely receptive. “I just sing it from my head and when I come back to Guyana then I recorded it,” he said.
The Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder-born artist recently released a song called “Lumbuh”. Joking that the song is somewhat “wotless” (wicked), he said his fans have been enjoying it.
Meanwhile, Mystic also spoke about the influence of social media and the opportunities it has provided by giving artists a platform to market and promote themselves.
He then touched on the noticeable changes in the music industry in Guyana. He recalled that when he first started, artists were trying to sound American in a sense, but now they are conscious about being Guyanese and using creole to their advantage to connect with their audiences while performing on stage – something he has always done.
Life wasn’t always easy for Mystic. He recalled that he lost his father at the age of five. After that, they moved around for a bit. He said whichever community they lived in, his younger sister was always ready to have his back, joking that she has a solid left hand. Mystic’s mother has always been by his side supporting him throughout everything he has done. He said that his stepfather, sister, cousins, and friends who turned into family were always there, along with his girlfriend when she came into his life. He noted the importance of having a support system and how grateful he is for his.
Rice farmer
The Mystic loved around the country on stage is also a rice farmer and balancing the two parts of his life is no easy task. He stressed that “nothing is meant to be easy in life” so he puts in the hard work to reap his rewards.
Noting that he is thankful for the developmental works carried out so far in Black Bush Polder, he said that there is still much more that needs to be done. He pointed out that some of the dams were not built to handle the types of heavy machinery now being used and stern systems should be put in place for such machinery during the rainy season.
“At least certain times you shouldn’t drive big machines on the dam. Maybe park it next to your rice field… Without rice, there is no Black Bush. There needs to be a system in place. We got this mindset, everybody for themselves, they need to have stern things in place,” he passionately stated. Mystic enjoys the simple life and has not allowed fame to change him. He advised youths to also give it their all and stay committed.
“If you really want to get into music, you gotta love it, stay committed, love it, and stay real in it,” he said.
He also advised those in the industry to keep educating themselves about their craft and developing themselves at every opportunity. His fans, he said, should expect more of his genuine and quality music. “My Guyanese fans know how I do it, good things like always,” he added.
