The Queen of Socca - Takes Center Stage
by Shateema Credle

T: So how did you get into soca?

A: Soca. Square one was actually a soca band at heart and through Square One is how really I got into soca music. Initially, at one point the band was signed. We were doing club dates but we were doing covers of whatever was popular at the time. And we eventually we were signed to Eddy Grant’s label. Ice Records for a little while. We started recording with him. We didn’t have a sound or anything as yet so we were trying stuff. We recorded rock tracks, we recorded ballads and recorded all kinds of different things. Kind of searching. Even though we knew, I think we knew that soca was the heart and soul of the band.

T: Can you tell me your most memorable moment with Square One?

To be flown to Sweden to do a private party. It was done in a castle and the king and queen of Sweden were in attendance. It was actually a birthday party or as I should say a birthday weekend. There was this guy he was having this huge blowout for the whole weekend and he had I think he had like theme nights like Friday, Saturday and Sunday. So, we were obviously on the Caribbean night that he was having so he flew us in for that and as I said the king and queen of Sweden were there and that was great. That was a great feeling you know we were performing for royalty. And it was fun, we really gave of our all. Everyone was all dressed to the nines. It was beautiful;

T: What about the first time you decided to leave Square One? What were you going through?

A: When I was thinking about leaving Square One I was pregnant at the time with my daughter. Although, it was kind of a though but I wasn’t quite sure. I knew I was gonna have to wait until I gave birth and then I would have a better idea, you know, of what was going on. After my daughter came, I realized that I couldn’t give that time to the band.

T: So tell me what is it like being a solo artist?

A: What’s it like being a solo artist. It’s good actually. It’s fun. I still enjoy I still love what I do. I love to perform, I love entertaining. And now I get that one on one with my audience. I get to really get into my songs and really get into my audience. I really pull them in with me and take them along for the ride and make sure that they really enjoy the songs. That they get to sing. And they get to do everything that they want to do.

T: Can you compare your music as a solo artist now to the music you played when you were in Square One?

A: I don’t think there’s too many differences. I think that the quality of the music is the same or we try to keep the quality of the music the same or better. The vibe, the energy of it. You know, Square One was always known for energy and for good music and for timeless music which I am very happy for and the songs I perform in my show are songs that I that were hits when I was with Square One. So these are songs that I have to do because my fans have grown up on this music.

T: What’s next for you?

AH: What’s next? Well in the immediate future, I am finishing up my album, which will be my first solo album. Cause all my other stuff would have been with Sq. 1. So that exciting stuff. Looking for the time to finish but it has to be done so we are going to finish that. Um… the video getting ready to come out. And you know just touring coming up. Going to Germany for world cup this year, football world cup. Just being apart of all of that, looking forward to that. And um just going out there and performing. Just getting out there to the people.

T: What would you like to tell your fans

AH: All I want to say is thank you, thank you to all my fans from over the years, with Sq. 1, and those who continue to support me since I’ve gone solo. . You know, thank you for your love for you energy for your support and when the album comes out make sure you go and get your copy, not a pirate copy the original. And keep on coming out you know support the music don’t just support me. Support all the soca artists. There some awesome talent here in the Caribbean and we know this. And tempo is helping us take to be able to take our talent and let the world know.