Rupee - SOCA Sensation
‘Rupee’s Soca sounds are moving further than Carnival compilations. Pioneering the Soul and Calypso fusion of Hip Hop, Rap and Dancehall for the international arena of urban music, The Situation met him to find out more.
Chatting to the Soca sensation in the plush hotel room of a London sky scraper, Rupee is instantly likable. Offering cups of tea and admiring the outside view while people-watching, this Barbadian artist looks a dead ringer for Sean Paul - but all assumptions are soon cleared as you realise he is different from the norm.
Full of high spirits when talking about his new single ‘Tempted to Touch’, Rupee explains the title’s concept: “You can be in a woman’s presence and be naturally tempted to touch her physically, but also spiritually and mentally. You could be at a dancehall or in a café and you see a woman that overwhelms you. That’s what it’s about – temptation is a serious thing!”
Many of us have undoubtedly been in a similar situation with an object of desire and Rupee further delivers the message of temptation in the single’s video. Shown displaying some heated dance moves with a female fan on stage at one of his many performances, it captures the essence of his dancehall inspiration. “There’s nothing more sensual and sexy than going into a dancehall and seeing a lady. Just holding your own space and dancing with her and being overwhelmed by the music and moving to it. It’s a powerful thing.”
Dancehall isn’t the only influence that can be found on Rupee’s forthcoming album ‘1 on 1’. His third album of an impressive career, which has seen musical recognition in the States and Canada, sees the diverse sounds of acoustic guitar and percussion alongside Rock, R&B and hardcore Reggae. Speaking about the album and his new home at Atlantic Records, Rupee said: “I’m blessed that I have full creative control as I was signed to Atlantic based on the music I’ve recorded for the last three years and the format hasn’t changed. I think the music on this album compared to my previous work has definitely evolved a lot more as I’ve been fortunate to work with Salaam Remi (New York-based hip-hop fusion hit maker: Fugees, Ms Dynamite, Nas), and under his wing I’ve been able to open up a lot more and create music that’s miles ahead.” Giving recognition to fellow Caribbean producers who’ve also worked on the album, he continued, “Then again, I have those producers I’ve worked with from the beginning, such as Chris Allman (Slam City Studios), Peter Coppin (Monsta Piece Studios), and Darron Grant (Underground Studios) – all of these are Barbadian producers and the music has progressed to a point where I feel this is my best work on ‘1 on 1’.”
Born in Germany to a black Barbadian father and white German mother, Rupee, (christened Rupert Clarke), spent the majority of his childhood in Barbados where he developed a passion for Soca. Winning a popular Barbados talent competition in ’93 led to Rupee joining top Barbadian band Coalishun and his role was instrumental for creating memorable hooks and vocal arrangements. It was also during this time that Rupee began to write and produce songs, giving the group several hits with his signature Raga-Soca fusion. Something he continues in his solo career today, Rupee said: “I co-produce a lot of the music I do and I write all of it. If I’m on the street and I hear a tune that I get a vibe for I’ll go home and experiment. For me the public are the judge and jury, that’s how it works for me. I experiment, I do my fusions, put them out to the public and the public likes it. They’ve been very supportive of me over the years and that’s the way it works.”
With the Caribbean and its people being in his heart, he is passionate about production talents within the islands. He reveals: “When people get signed or are fortunate to be in a position where I am, they run to Dr. Dre or The Neptunes. I don’t want that! What I want is for top American and British acts to go ‘Who are these Slam City guys? – I wanna go and record with them ‘cos their music is so unique and so fresh.’ For me, it’s important for people to recognise that the Caribbean has tremendous talent that needs to be tapped so that artists outside can use it. No disrespect to The Neptunes, those guys are amazing and they’ve served as influences for me but the Caribbean is where it’s at right now.”
Despite Rupee’s massive contribution to Soca music, he has received many criticisms from fellow artists who say his fusions are watering down pure Soca. Rupee hits back: “That’s far from the truth. Music is about evolving and in order for us to reach a point where the world can accept Socca in its purest form, there needs to be a transition and I’m a part of that. I accept it even if I’m criticised because this spectrum of music that I’ve been bathed in has influenced me a lot.” He continued: “If we examine the progression of dancehall, you can turn on BET and MTV and see Sean Paul singing in pure Jamaican Patwa over a pure dancehall beat. Elephant Man even – that wouldn’t have happened years ago. It took people like Shaggy and Shabba Ranks. The transition of crossover music using strong Hip Hop, Rap and Dancehall has been so long back to the days of Bob Marley. It’s so positive and we have a long road to travel but I’m just blessed to be a part of that process. It needs elements of other music to make it more palatable for international audiences.”
Rupee modestly feels that he doesn’t have a formula for drawing in the crowds even with his previous succession of hits such as ‘Thundah’, ‘Ice Cream’ and the ‘Road March Carnival Anthem Jump’. He notes his enjoyment of drawing on lyrical influences from a range of sources that include the Isley Brothers and the Rolling Stones: “I just strive to write hits that people can relate to, capturing the essence of that moment and that time. When you’re in an atmosphere that’s positive and charged with energy you just wanna jump and free yourself from your stress and worries. ‘Jump’ felt right and the inspiration came from the Isley Brothers who had a hit with it first – that’s the fusion working right there.”
Grateful for his crossover appeal to younger and older generations, especially in Trinidad and Tobago where he has exploded in star status, Rupee is careful to give his fans something they can all listen to. ‘I am thankful that I do have a good relationship with the young generation – especially children. I just try to create music that everyone can observe, that’s not aggressive, not violent content. Certainly not vulgar – maybe sexy and sensual to a point, but not to the point where a child has to cover their ears. There’s always a positive, inspirational element inside of it and it’s clean, which is probably why kids and the older generation can embrace it. I just try to create music that’s not aggressive and of violent content.”
So with his Soca fusions and clean lyrics accompanied by a sexy and playful vibe, Rupee is set to take Europe by storm and fulfill his ambition to bring Soca worldwide. The ‘perfectionist’ and ‘humble boy from Barbados’ concludes: “I’m very thankful for all that the Almighty above has done for me, and I’m just trying to get my message and music across so that if just one person’s life has changed, then that’s something I’ve accomplished. The main thing now is to uplift people across the world, and I’m blessed to the point where it’s now beginning to happen.”
The new single ‘Tempted to Touch’ is out now. The album ‘1 on 1’ is out on October 11th 2004.
Chatting to the Soca sensation in the plush hotel room of a London sky scraper, Rupee is instantly likable. Offering cups of tea and admiring the outside view while people-watching, this Barbadian artist looks a dead ringer for Sean Paul - but all assumptions are soon cleared as you realise he is different from the norm.
Full of high spirits when talking about his new single ‘Tempted to Touch’, Rupee explains the title’s concept: “You can be in a woman’s presence and be naturally tempted to touch her physically, but also spiritually and mentally. You could be at a dancehall or in a café and you see a woman that overwhelms you. That’s what it’s about – temptation is a serious thing!”
Many of us have undoubtedly been in a similar situation with an object of desire and Rupee further delivers the message of temptation in the single’s video. Shown displaying some heated dance moves with a female fan on stage at one of his many performances, it captures the essence of his dancehall inspiration. “There’s nothing more sensual and sexy than going into a dancehall and seeing a lady. Just holding your own space and dancing with her and being overwhelmed by the music and moving to it. It’s a powerful thing.”
Dancehall isn’t the only influence that can be found on Rupee’s forthcoming album ‘1 on 1’. His third album of an impressive career, which has seen musical recognition in the States and Canada, sees the diverse sounds of acoustic guitar and percussion alongside Rock, R&B and hardcore Reggae. Speaking about the album and his new home at Atlantic Records, Rupee said: “I’m blessed that I have full creative control as I was signed to Atlantic based on the music I’ve recorded for the last three years and the format hasn’t changed. I think the music on this album compared to my previous work has definitely evolved a lot more as I’ve been fortunate to work with Salaam Remi (New York-based hip-hop fusion hit maker: Fugees, Ms Dynamite, Nas), and under his wing I’ve been able to open up a lot more and create music that’s miles ahead.” Giving recognition to fellow Caribbean producers who’ve also worked on the album, he continued, “Then again, I have those producers I’ve worked with from the beginning, such as Chris Allman (Slam City Studios), Peter Coppin (Monsta Piece Studios), and Darron Grant (Underground Studios) – all of these are Barbadian producers and the music has progressed to a point where I feel this is my best work on ‘1 on 1’.”
Born in Germany to a black Barbadian father and white German mother, Rupee, (christened Rupert Clarke), spent the majority of his childhood in Barbados where he developed a passion for Soca. Winning a popular Barbados talent competition in ’93 led to Rupee joining top Barbadian band Coalishun and his role was instrumental for creating memorable hooks and vocal arrangements. It was also during this time that Rupee began to write and produce songs, giving the group several hits with his signature Raga-Soca fusion. Something he continues in his solo career today, Rupee said: “I co-produce a lot of the music I do and I write all of it. If I’m on the street and I hear a tune that I get a vibe for I’ll go home and experiment. For me the public are the judge and jury, that’s how it works for me. I experiment, I do my fusions, put them out to the public and the public likes it. They’ve been very supportive of me over the years and that’s the way it works.”
With the Caribbean and its people being in his heart, he is passionate about production talents within the islands. He reveals: “When people get signed or are fortunate to be in a position where I am, they run to Dr. Dre or The Neptunes. I don’t want that! What I want is for top American and British acts to go ‘Who are these Slam City guys? – I wanna go and record with them ‘cos their music is so unique and so fresh.’ For me, it’s important for people to recognise that the Caribbean has tremendous talent that needs to be tapped so that artists outside can use it. No disrespect to The Neptunes, those guys are amazing and they’ve served as influences for me but the Caribbean is where it’s at right now.”
Despite Rupee’s massive contribution to Soca music, he has received many criticisms from fellow artists who say his fusions are watering down pure Soca. Rupee hits back: “That’s far from the truth. Music is about evolving and in order for us to reach a point where the world can accept Socca in its purest form, there needs to be a transition and I’m a part of that. I accept it even if I’m criticised because this spectrum of music that I’ve been bathed in has influenced me a lot.” He continued: “If we examine the progression of dancehall, you can turn on BET and MTV and see Sean Paul singing in pure Jamaican Patwa over a pure dancehall beat. Elephant Man even – that wouldn’t have happened years ago. It took people like Shaggy and Shabba Ranks. The transition of crossover music using strong Hip Hop, Rap and Dancehall has been so long back to the days of Bob Marley. It’s so positive and we have a long road to travel but I’m just blessed to be a part of that process. It needs elements of other music to make it more palatable for international audiences.”
Rupee modestly feels that he doesn’t have a formula for drawing in the crowds even with his previous succession of hits such as ‘Thundah’, ‘Ice Cream’ and the ‘Road March Carnival Anthem Jump’. He notes his enjoyment of drawing on lyrical influences from a range of sources that include the Isley Brothers and the Rolling Stones: “I just strive to write hits that people can relate to, capturing the essence of that moment and that time. When you’re in an atmosphere that’s positive and charged with energy you just wanna jump and free yourself from your stress and worries. ‘Jump’ felt right and the inspiration came from the Isley Brothers who had a hit with it first – that’s the fusion working right there.”
Grateful for his crossover appeal to younger and older generations, especially in Trinidad and Tobago where he has exploded in star status, Rupee is careful to give his fans something they can all listen to. ‘I am thankful that I do have a good relationship with the young generation – especially children. I just try to create music that everyone can observe, that’s not aggressive, not violent content. Certainly not vulgar – maybe sexy and sensual to a point, but not to the point where a child has to cover their ears. There’s always a positive, inspirational element inside of it and it’s clean, which is probably why kids and the older generation can embrace it. I just try to create music that’s not aggressive and of violent content.”
So with his Soca fusions and clean lyrics accompanied by a sexy and playful vibe, Rupee is set to take Europe by storm and fulfill his ambition to bring Soca worldwide. The ‘perfectionist’ and ‘humble boy from Barbados’ concludes: “I’m very thankful for all that the Almighty above has done for me, and I’m just trying to get my message and music across so that if just one person’s life has changed, then that’s something I’ve accomplished. The main thing now is to uplift people across the world, and I’m blessed to the point where it’s now beginning to happen.”
The new single ‘Tempted to Touch’ is out now. The album ‘1 on 1’ is out on October 11th 2004.
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