This petite powerhouse is making waves around the Caribbean. Although small in stature, Patrice Roberts is proving that she is a force to be reckoned with.
At age 21, she is building a resume that is not easily contested by other contemporary entertainers. Patrice, contrary to popular belief, is not a freshman to the Soca Music scene, having released her debut album "Blossoming" in 2003. She has also won National Soca Monarch, and National Library Calypso Monarch in 2001 and Junior Soca Monarch in 2002.
Who would have thought this daughter of a Muslim mother would be on stage singing about love and country? Don't be deceived by the shy persona. Patrice is a spritely, energetic and dynamic performer. No stranger to the music scene, she played the tenor steel pan at her school in Toco, a small village in Trinidad, but has since expanded her musical interests to becoming the Road March Queen of Trinidad Carnival 2006. It is such a huge accomplishment for someone so young.
"I've always wanted to entertain people. This is a dream come true," Patrice says of the experience so far. Her passion comes alive while she is on stage and she explains that sometimes, she doesn't know who she is on stage. She explains, "When I get on stage, I want people to feel what I am feeling. When I sing, Always Be, I feel like I'm really in love, so I go deep into myself to make others feel that." Patrice is able to sing a Soca Ballad like a seasoned professional. Her song, "Always Be" written by Zan, talks about the ups and downs of love and ways to make it work, if it's true. In terms of style, it is completely different from her song, "Band of D Year."
When asked where her versatility comes from, she answers, "I think it's a natural ability I have, I like making my voice do different things."
She has collaborated with such artists as Kevin Little on the remake of Trini Jacob's, "Sexy Ways," Zan, with "Always Be," and Machel Montano with "Band of D' Year" and Bunji Garlin with "The Islands." This blossom still has a little ways to go before the fruit she bears becomes ripe, but if this year's successes are any indication of the type of the tree, then much good fruit is on the way.
By: Bodine V. Johnson, Freelance Writer for The Nassau Guardian
