By Abigail Headley
A new soca song for the coming 2024 season has been waves in Trinidad and elsewhere. The singer, 47 Ronzy, is a young, diverse artist from Trinidad and Tobago who serves as the flagship artist for DJ (Wayne) Bravo’s 47 Productions. Bravo facilitated the discovery of this rapidly emerging songwriter and singer by funding a Collab app-based social media talent competition in 2022. Bravo first noticed 47 Ronzy’s distinct style on this digital platform, which acts as a hub for connecting creatives.
A growing number of fans have been drawn to her debut single, “Tonda.” It is available on Spotify, Apple Music, ITunes, Amazon Music, and other music apps. Sunday Stabroek (SS) was able to have an extensive chat with 47 Ronzy recently.
SS: What is your birth name, and how old are you?
47 Ronzy: My name is Rhonicia aka Ronzy and I’m 31 bright years.
SS: Can you tell us about the reason behind the name 47 Ronzy? What inspired it?
47 Ronzy: The 47 in my name comes from my label’s title, 47 Productions. It also derives from Dwayne Bravo’s cricket number (47). It’s very significant to me because the moment I was invited to come into the studio, it was the place I wanted to be. The studio speaks for itself, it’s an inspiring environment for a musician and any recording artiste. I immediately told ‘Champ’ [BRavo] I wanted to be a 47 artiste the first day I came in.
SS: Can you tell us more about your journey as a musician and how you got started in the industry?
47 Ronzy: Growing up in a Christian household, music was always something by which I was surrounded. My parents were both well involved with music in the church; my dad played instruments and my mom was a headliner in a choir.
I’ve always been in love with music, I started recording myself and practised songwriting and got deeply involved with enhancing my vocal ability at a young age, and through that practice I was able to record a few songs that got me chosen by the label and one of those demos was “Tonda”; that song has been my first entry into the industry.
SS: How would you describe your unique blend of haunting melodies, mesmerising vocals, and unforgettable image that set you apart in the global music scene?
47 Ronzy: LOL! (laugh out loud) I thank you for that. It makes me appreciate the question even more because you would’ve paid attention to the intricacies of “Tonda” and other open verses on my social media.
So, my vocal style pulls from a lot of singers that I constantly listen to [like] Beyonce, Brandy, Mary Mary, Leandria Johnson, Usher, Chris Brown, Tory Lanez, Durand Benar, Erykah Badu, Chronixx, Burna Boy, and Yemi Alade. The melodic fusion comes in according to the beat and I channel my natural ability into melodic mumbles, the words never come first, it’s more of an utterance and once it hits, I build from there and formulate the song.
My image is something I take pride in. I’m one for comfort, no doubt jeans and a jersey any day but I guess I have my own taste of style. My stylist really gave me another perspective on my wardrobe, and I trusted her to up my game which she continues to do. Shout out to Vivre by Chelsea and Vivre Hair Studio!
I am also aware I may not be 100% girly, but it makes it much better when professionals can see way past my comfort zone. The credit is really theirs.
SS: Could you share with us the inspiration behind your debut single, “Tonda”, and what it means to you personally?
47 Ronzy: “Tonda” is a song that is very special to me. January this year 2023, I recorded a demo amongst many others, and I sent it to Champ via WhatsApp as he was in season playing cricket in Dubai. I usually never disturb him when he’s out there but the songs that I had done, I really wanted him to hear it and “Tonda” stood out to him. Lowkey, I wanted it to be “Tonda” because the vibe of the song caught me, and he felt the same way.
The production of “Tonda” is something special, it’s a love song between two people being passionate, yes, but more importantly it’s in the feel of an Afro Caribbean rhythm. The beat speaks for itself, the cadence of the drum, the instruments used, the background vocals, all the elements that bring out the life of the rhythm, that makes us Caribbean people move, it’s an electrifying sensation and I call that “Tonda”. Very beautiful record [and] I’m proud of it.
SS: What was it like going on a media tour in Jamaica and receiving high praise for your vocal mastery and songwriting skills? How has this experience impacted your career?
47 Ronzy: Jamaica blew my mind when it comes to music. First of all, I thank you again for the vocal mastery and songwriting skills you put in there, LOL! I’ll take a pat on the shoulder for it, LOL.
So, the trip to Jamaica was one that will always be in my top three necessary things I needed to do. I’ve always wanted to go, but on a tourist level. The opportunity was presented to me to go on the trip on the business of music doing what I love to do. It was nothing short of amazing.
Travelling with my manager who is already a known superstar provided some opportunities that I would’ve never thought I would come across. He linked with a PR Marketing Team, Wave Media in Jamaica, that put together a schedule that had us busy with promotions top to bottom.
They had us on the road busy, LOL. The reception of the song from the media stations, to TV hosts and other artistes really gave me the assurance that “Tonda” is really something special. If it’s one thing Jamaican people know, it’s good music, and they kept it real with us and showed tremendous love to the track.
I had the opportunity to sit with Buju Banton in his studio, who endorsed it highly. I met with Sizzla, Beenie Man, Mr G, Romeich, Snowcone… all of them gave their remarks on the song and as a new artiste, hearing feedback from these legends is priceless. I could’ve melted every time the song played in front of them, because my mind was in a frenzy LOL. They gave their stamp of approval as well as the people of Jamaica did.
The experience was something that I didn’t know I needed. Being around the people and around the stars definitely motivated me spiritually and physically, because the mindset I had before is now on another level because of that trip.
Sitting in with Buju and listening to the words of his songs, looking in depth to try and figure out where his inspiration comes from to write on that level is motivation to dig deeper in my writing. Looking at how the people dance to dancehall in unison, and they have this whole choreography thing going on, just opened my eyes to see how music isn’t just a sound, but that it literally brings people together and sets an atmosphere in totality.
SS: How do your Caribbean background and culture influence your music and performances?
47 Ronzy: As a Caribbean girl we have a specific rhythm we move to, and when management asked me to try the afrobeat genre I did some studying with particular artistes like Yemi Alade, Burna Boy, Wande Coal, and others and incorporated certain styles within certain beats. When I do the sample and it’s time for music production, the beat base is afro and there would be little elements of that soca, reggae or dancehall that would stand out within the beat. As a Trinidadian artiste I know that soca is our nation’s pride and joy, and I’m just happy to be a part of the culture, where I can infuse these powerful genres and make it sweet.
SS: Can you share some insights into your early experiences performing in your church choir and the influence your father, who plays the keyboard, had on your musical journey?
47 Ronzy: Beautiful church days. I gained most of my confidence really from the church. I used to lead worship sessions and be a part of the choir. I was also in a church band for a time. I enjoyed it every step of the way. Those years really made an impact on my life; first of course developing my relationship with God and also taking part in activities that made me zoom in on my natural talent.
So, in my dad’s playing years, I wasn’t able to sing just yet. I was very young, and by the time I did start he became a pastor in every sense of the word, LOL. But most definitely the impact of being in a house with parents that can relate in-depth with sound is a blessing.
Now, me saying that doesn’t mean that they agreed with my choice of genre, LOL. But they eventually saw the bigger picture after a lot of talking and action shown by myself and my management team, LOL.
SS: How did your collaboration with Dwayne Bravo and 47 Productions come about, and what has it been like working with them?
47 Ronzy: Last year around July through August I downloaded an app for artistes and musicians. ‘Collabr’ is the name, and I saw that they were advertising a competition hosted by 47 Productions where people can submit their song and get a chance to win a record deal or a full music production with promotion.
I entered that competition so fast and submitted nine songs, LOL. There was no way that was getting away from me. I called everyone to download the app and to “like” my submissions. One of the requirements was that the person with the most likes wins. Man, I got on my phone so fast and called people like there was no tomorrow, LOL.
When the competition was completed, after a while, I received a phone call from the boss himself Dwayne Bravo, that I’ve won, and he invited me to come into the studio to meet him and listen to some of my material. From that moment on was history in the making.
Being signed to 47 Productions has been a great experience. Being introduced to experienced producers of various genres, meeting celebrity artistes and songwriters, being able to record in a state-of-the-art studio and having a machine of a team in one accord, I’d say when you have a boss like I do, he does things very differently, LOL. It’s beyond any of my expectations and I thank God every day for allowing me to meet my manager, who gave me the opportunity to live my dream.
SS: What drew Dwayne Bravo to your talent and made him decide to sign you to his label? How has his support and guidance impacted your growth as an artist?
47 Ronzy: So, the day he invited me to come to the studio for the first time, himself and Tommy Sanchez (Studio Manager), asked me if I had any material to listen to and I played some of my material. Now to be real with you I had about 30 songs, nearly all of which were R&B and Hip Hop and one or two afrobeats… just “by the way” music I tried and had it there with no intention to play with it.
Abigail, the one or two afro I did is what they pointed out. I was like, but this is unbelievable, I have a catalogue of R&B and they singlehandedly said, “Ronzy, this is where you should be and challenge yourself to the genre and see what you come up with”.
So said so done. They recommended I listen to Yemi Alade, listen to her style and do some homework on it. When I left the studio, I went home and the next day I sent in three songs, another day three songs, another day one song, and I continued building on the genre. After they heard my samples, Dwayne considered signing me as an artiste for the label.
His support is nothing short of 100%. Let me put this out there and say that he knows every demo I sent him from day one. Every single one. I’m talking just mere samples that were just sent in to build the catalogue. He’s a very hands-on manager and he’s a busy man with his career as well, but he always makes sure that his artiste is either prepared, ready to record, ready to perform. He makes sure that things are put in place in advance.
He’s an honest man too. He’ll say, ‘Ronzy, I’m not feeling this one, you should’ve put a lil more into it’ or, ‘I really love this track we should start on this one’. Or he’ll give his encouragement like, ‘don’t be discouraged by what people may say, what God has for you is for you. You keep pushing and doors will open’.
Meeting Dwayne is my blessing in disguise. God gave him the will to succeed in his craft, and he pours into people like me who can now have the opportunity to experience success in their gift as well. This man signed me, an unknown artiste. He gave me the resources to build myself and a studio family. I can say he genuinely has my back. He supported the music from day one and takes pride in everything that he’s done. His support set my career on a path to success and I’m forever grateful for him.
SS: How do you incorporate elements of reggae, soca, afrobeats, and R&B into your music? How do you ensure a seamless fusion of these genres?
47 Ronzy: Love this question! So, from ever since I was little, I was exposed to singers and their albums. I cling to particular albums and listen to [them] over and over because of the singers’ vocal ability and I adapt quickly to certain genres. Usher is one of them that had a heavy hold on me because of his vocal ability and the sweetness he brought on a record.
So, now that I’m in the industry, having this R&B style and recording in a particular genre for now, I tap into my ‘island girl’ and start shaping the way I say certain things and draw from certain afro stars to keep the afro cadence, while maintaining the R&B melodic backgrounds and styles in between. It’s a beautiful fusion that starts only when the beat speaks the language I can understand, and I sing back.
SS: Where do you see yourself and your music in the future, both within Trinidad and Tobago and on the global stage?
47 Ronzy: I can’t tell the future, but I’m anticipating opened doors of opportunity, regionally and internationally. I look forward to working with other amazing artistes, building my fan base, doing more shows and creating great content for the people.
