I let people know about my situation and AIDS and HIV. And for those of you who may not know by now both of my parents were infected with the disease and unfortunately subsequently died from it. It was a really, really hard time for me, a serious, serious area of depression in my life. They were good parents. My dad was a fantastic man and it’s just that like many men out there, something that I can relate to for temptation is infront of me everyday and he was weak. It was definitely a hard time in my life. I could not walk or talk and I was shutting everybody out that was around me. Due to the love and support of the people around me that stayed with me through the whole event I managed to turn my situation around. Harness it and use it for good. Whenever I get a chance I mention to the audience about the dangers and the effects of AIDS and HIV. Especially send the message out to kids. It’s really dread. Imagine a situation where you go to see your mom and when you leave that room you know it’s the last time you are going to see your mom. I think about that everyday. When I walk the street and see old ladies that remind me of my mother I cry internally, sometimes externally.

Rupee, 5/31/2003. (Read 2005 Interview)
Newk's Cafe,
Tampa, Florida.

Everybody knows Rupee as the hat wearing, soca cutie who has given us hits like Tempted to Touch, Jump and Ice Cream, but as the above quote shows his life experiences have not always been the kind that might inspire a carnival hit or festival fever. He has faced personal tragedy and genuine fear, but despite it all Rupee has evolved into the performer who can rise above tragedy to move a crowd into forgetting their own worries. Jouvay.com sat down with Rupee at Newt's café in Tampa for a heart to heart about life and soca music. Buy Rupee now.

J: Most of them?

R: Quite a few of them. If you can recall, my last album, Leave A Message, I worked on That’s Where I’ll Be. I also did Till morning along with Darron Grant. I did it at my lil studio and took it to Darron and he would have put on the guitar and piano and changed some tones and stuff. I also did the last song on the album which is called no more. “I’m Tired”, which is one of my favorites.

J: One of my favorites too, but you don’t sing it in concert.

R: Yeah, it’s not really conducive to that soca environment. Every now and then I might slip it in there. I will be working in collaboration with Chris Altman. He did “I see a crowd out there” and “Friend friend Frenemy.” Bad, bad poroducer. Chris Altman, Barbados, Slam City. Hopefully I’ll be working with Darron again you know. Blessings all of the time.

Jouvay.com: Darron was the Tempted to Touch?

R: Yeah man.

J: He told me he had the riddim and you came in and now it has blown up.

R: Yeah, quite a few people had already recorded on the riddim and I went in and checked it out and it was spontaneous. Darron and I made an agreement which is supposed to be in place still. I’m gonna see you Darron, I’m going to talk to you man, gonna holler at you son. Gonna do this 50 cent style. I took the rhythm, took it home, absorbed it, vibesed it and when I was writing it I mentally put myself inside of a dancehall. Not even necessarily a dancehall, actually, any situation where a woman puts herself before you and you’re just tempted to touch her. It might not be physically, it might be mentally, or spiritually. It’s real, everybody can relate to it. Tempted, girl, tempted. Definitely one of my favorites. That’s how I feel all of the time, especially tonight in Tampa.

Jouvay.com: Yeah, your girlfriend would come and beat down all of the women.

Rupee: For real. I hope I don’t have any bags under my eyes. I real tired you know.

J: You look gorgeous.

R: Cool. I’m blushing.

J: So the new album is mainly soca again or you’re mixing it up?

R: Interesting question. Definitely it will be alot more variety. A lot of good things are happening for Rupee right now. I don’t want to say too much about it, to kind of offset it or as they would say in Trini, “I don’t want to put a Jumbie on it nah”, or “I don’t want blight it” as they would say in Barbados.

J: Or jinx it in Guyana.

R: “I don’t want jinx it or blight am right.” I have been spending a lot of time in NY making some very good contacts. I have spoken to some labels. It really is not easy. It’s a long, hard struggle. You have to crawl before you walk, but I can definitely say blessings are shining down from the almighty. In Toronto right now, Tempted To Touch is actually number one on a station called Z103.5 FM which is mainstream and very popular, it’s like Z100 in NY. If you log onto their website z1035.com Tempted to Touch may still be on the top 40. It was number one, ahead of Christine Aguilera, 50 cent on all four of their charts. They released a compilation called the best of z103.5 and the song is on that.

J: That’s excellent. Are there alot of sales?

R: It should be. It’s a totally different market. They are actually going to host a huge concert on August 10th in Toronto. And I am going to be performing on that one once the almighty spares life. Tempted is doing good things. It’s playing on Flow 93.5 FM which is like Hot 97.

J: With Dr. Jay?

R: Yeah Dr. Jay. That is my real boy yes. A video if it’s not too late. Maybe a remix too. But the new album, not digressing in any way, will feature alot more of that Tempted to Touch thing. That definitely is the formula that’s working for me and has worked for me over the years. Especially in terms of crossover appeal. It will have alot of that music. A lil reggae and lil R& B flavor. But you know I have to represent the carnival. “I got some sweet, boy look those are some real sweet tunes for the carnival. I tell you god bless Moses. Juicy. See that album? That album going to be real nice. I ain’t even got to say anymore. I got wuk up tune, I got chip tune, I got give thanks. A piece of everything.” For real though, I am excited about it. A piece of everything for everybody.

J: And in the past year your performance on stage has changed. You start wining up and ting.

R: Yeah man, it’s all about evolution and development. And always adding some type of freshness to your performance or people will get tired of you easily. I am still relatively new on the circuit and in the business as far as my contribution is concerned. For the past few years I can say that the love has just been continuous. It just continues to grow higher and get bigger. Initially Rupee would have been very reserved. Now I take a wine..

J: A juk, foot up.

R: Yeah man, inject new life into the performance. It’s crucial.

J: And a lot more crowd interaction. It’s nice. It’s nice seeing you perform at these small venues. You come in the crowd.

R: I actually prefer these venues where I can get close, where I can get tempted to touch, guurl. You know and absorb the energy from the people directly because the crowd’s energy serves as tremendous inspiration for me.

J: But the big crowds are in Trinidad and you had Trinidad rocking this past carnival. Like every show Rupee was on.

Rupee: I real love Trinidad. Allyuh does treat me like allyuh son and I love you for dat.

Jouvay.com: Was that new this year or was it like that from before?

R: From Jump and Insomnia. 2000 was my introductory year. You know Jump did big things (Jump won Road March titles in NY, Boston, Miami and Toronto). Speaking of Jump that song, it just has a spirit. Jump and Insomnia. People were like “Who’s this Rupee boy? I real like the tune nuh, but I don’t know what the man look like nuh.” They would have seen me in 1996/1997 when I was with Coalishun.

J: “Moving like the Titanic.”

R: Yeah, Ice Cream was big that year and Thundah the previous year. I was with Coalishun from then. Very, very talented band, but I reached the point where I wanted to do my music full time. I quit my job. I became solo in 2000 and that was my first time in Trinidad and it was amazing, the love was tremendous. The question was can Rupee come again next year. Love was even stronger the next year. The spectrum was so broad, from children up to grannies showing me a tremendous amount of love in Trinidad and treating me like one of their own. I have to definitely say 2003 now, it has easily been my best year so far. In terms of the continuous love and support from the kids, from the schools. We went according to a plan. I must shout out my management, Nyla, out of Trinidad. Introductory year 2000, second year-this is Rupee I was not a one hit wonder, and Year 3 was to try and secure some sponsorship, some endorsements and I did that in a major way. I have to big up Coca Cola and Smalta. “I’ll be inside a band, coke in my hand.” Coca Cola.

J: That’s a Pepsi you’re drinking.

R: It’s coke girl. We did an ad that was shot on film. First time that was ever done in the Caribbean for Coca Cola. They used That’s Where I’ll be. It was a simulation of carnival through the streets of Port of Spain. It did wonderful things for the song too. It was a tremendous opportunity for me also because I could use that in my portfolio. It’s going to be aired throughout all of the Caribbean festivals in the region. Look out for it Bajan posse. It can be used in any carnival environment. You can’t ask for anything better than that. I’ve actually gone onto do a series of commercials with them to advertise their new crew card which is like a youth card that gives them discounts at stores and clubs. That series of ads just started to air in Trinidad and the reception from what I have been told has been amazing. It’s a real cool scenario where people are getting into the club showing their card and I come up to the door and the guy says, “no crew card no entry.” And I am like dude look at de flyer, I am performing. And he says, “No Crew card, no entry.” It’s a series of humorous ads. So, I definitely have to big up Coca Cola. Smalta.. .“Save some Smalta for Me.” Definitely big with the kids cause you know “Rupee love de kids.” So Smalta did a wonderful thing for me as well. We did a series of autograph signings throughout the malls in Trinidad. Posters, T-shirts, bandanas.

J: This was during carnival?

R: During carnival.

J: Yeah, you were hard to track down during carnival.

R: So 2003 definitely a fantastic year. Can’t complain. If I were to leave the game now I would be content, but I don’t want to. It’s up to the almighty.

J: You can’t leave it. We won’t let you leave it. I know you were in Guyana the other day at Splashmins.

R: Oooooh god.

J: What was that like? You had been to Guyana before?

R: That was my third time. I can say this without a doubt, it was amazing. I was actually featured in concert. I did not expect it. When I went there I could not believe. I thought I was in Trinidad or Barbados. It must have been about 5-6,000 people.

J: Who went all the way up to the creek.

R: Every single song, they knew from beginning to end. And Festival, “I see a crowd out” shhhh, more response than Jump. That blew my mind. I definitely gotta shout the boys out there in GT for representing. I did not get to stay as long as I would have liked because I had to fly back into Trinidad the next day. I would encourage people to check Guyana out. It’s really beautiful. Dispel all of the foolishness you are hearing. It’s all politics. Crime is prevalent in every part of society wherever you go, you just have to be careful. I had a fantastic time. From the time you hit the airport it was nuff love. I definitely would like to go back there.

J: Well you have tons of friends from there.

R: Telling you. GT bannas man. You know that Guyanese, dat is my people, because when I am in NY I stay with Guyanese. Gotta shout out Rudy, Satish, all my boys. Meh GT Bannas, that is meh family.

J: So, you’ve been doing the PSAs for AIDS awareness for the UN. How did that come about?

R: You heard me mention earlier this evening, something that I make sure I mention as much as I can during the performances, once the environment is appropriate, I let people know about my situation and AIDS and HIV. And for those of you who may not know by now both of my parents were infected with the disease and unfortunately subsequently died from it. It was a really, really hard time for me, a serious, serious area of depression in my life man, when that happened.

Jouvay.com: How long ago was that?

Rupee: It’s going on four years now, but it seems like yesterday. I was very close to both of my parents and loved them tremendously. They were good parents. My dad was a fantastic man and it’s just that like many men out there, something that I can relate to for temptation is infront of me everyday and he was weak. I am not angry, emotions are mixed. You know anger, sadness, mixed with hurt. At the end of the day I love him, but unfortunately he infected her and they both passed on. It was definitely a hard time in my life. I had thought about giving up. This is no lie, I could not walk or talk and I was shutting everybody out that was around me. You have a scenario where you lost two of the people that created you, your mother and your father. Due to the love and support of the people around me that stayed with me through the whole event I managed to turn my situation around. Harness it and use it for good. As opposed to let it take me down. Whenever I get a chance I mention to the audience about the dangers and the effects of AIDS and HIV. Especially send the message out to kids. I’ve been doing that through the series of ads you mentioned, through performances, a couple of press ads. If my time allows me to be involved I am there for it. Because it’s really dread. Imagine a situation where you go to see your mom and when you leave that room you know it’s the last time you are going to see your mom. I think about that everyday. When I walk the street and see old ladies that remind me of my mother I cry internally, sometimes externally. It’s not easy and it continues not to be easy.

J: And you went to see her in Germany right?

R: Yeah, she left Barbados and went back to Germany. It’s not easy.

J: How many brothers you have?

R: I have two brothers. I am the youngest. I am the baby.

J: The babyyy.

R: Yeah. They were always involved in music. They used to rap and do R&B. When I was six or seven they would pull me up on stage to do little pieces of their songs. “Hi you all I am the Rupert C. I sock it to the rhythm for the young ladies. See, I am the king of the rapping scene, but it don’t suggest that I am mean.” Something like that.

J: This was in Barbados?

R: This was in England.

J: How long you grew up in England?

R: I was bloody well in England for a little while you know. I was actually born in Germany. See me dad, he’s Barbadian and me mom , she’s German. Me dad was in the British army, so when we were in Germany I was born on the British barracks. We were never really raised in the German culture. He was like West Indian so my household was West Indian and he was always playing like Bob Marley and Red Plastic Bag and Sparrow. Me mom now was playing the Rolling Stones and Bob Dillon. So I’ve got quite a diverse musical taste instilled in me. You know what I mean? It’s always been in me blood. I moved to Barbados in 1985. I basically was submersed in the culture in my formative years. I am West Indian. It’s just a matter of place and time. Alison is born in England, John King from Barbados was born in England, but we West Indian. Know what I mean?

J: And then you entered the Richard Stoute competion right?

R:Yeah

J: By accident? How did that happen?

R: While I was in school…

J: Harrison’s

R: Harrison’s College, yeah. There was a show called Music 100. It was an internal school talent show. It was all classical music and so on, but every now and again the bredren would go on and do a little chant and stuff. I entered it one day, it was a tune “Girl don’t matter what you do, it’s over now. You want me to make it up to you, it’s over now.” You know that song? “I loved you girl.” It was big at the time. A big reggae tune. You don’t know that? What you a chat bout? I was singing with my boys in the canteen and they were like, “Yo Rupee enter the Music 100.” I entered and did not win. Everybody was saying man Rupee you should continue with this music thing. So then in 1996 the Richard Stoute teen talent came along. I was on the block in Fitts village chilling with my boys. They were giving away a car that year for the very first time. My boys were like “Yo, we got the rims for you already buy and put down.” And I entered it for fun and the almighty had it that I won. And that was basically the launch path for what was to follow. I joined Coalishun after that.

J: Oh, Coalishun was already formed with Adrian Clarke and TC.

R: Yeah. After I won that competition management of Coalishun..

J: You had little plaits then?

R: I had little plaits, I had that “Oh no it’s Red Rat thing going on.”

J: I saw you guys at the boat yard.

R: I’d be walking the street and people would be “Oh no, It’s Red Rat.”

J: No, he’s about this big.

R: I swear. I was in Jamaica and I passed by the airport and people were, “Red Rat like you put on some size you know. You get big you know. A Red Rat dat you know.” In England I would be walking and a man ran up to me with a flyer, “Are you Red Rat? Are you Red Rat?”

J: He said he’d work with you.

R: He’s a good guy man. I would work with him too. I was in a club in England and someone said, “Are you Red Rat? You gonna come up and do a little song for us then?” Bringing me drinks and stuff. I should have played it off. “Oh no, me a chillin, me a easy.” I had to shed that Red Rat image and started to don my caps.

J: I know, everybody thinks you are bald.

R: Yeah? Curiosity. I like the buzz. Interesting enough, in Trinidad, Showtime magazine, gotta big up Nadella, they did a feature on me. A day in the life of Rupee in pictures. And that spread has a picture of me with my hat off showing my hair. I think that edition was the top selling newspaper that day. I’ve got to send you the pictures man. School boy man. Definitely not appropriate for the stage. People know me now for my hats. If I walk around in Barbados without my hat, people are like, “Who’s he. He look familiar you know.” If I put on my lil tam now, “Man Rupee man what up?” It’s part of the image.

J: So you getting married soon or what?

R: Oh oh, look at the time already. Gotta go.

J: Ok, we won’t go there. Are you thinking of working with your own band?

Rupee: Definitely a consideration, but it is not an easy thing to do. It’s definitely alot of responsibility. Alot of pressure as well, but certainly a consideration. The way things are going now it’s cool. It’s all great.

Jouvay.com: What are you doing for the rest of the summer? You’re in Barbados for cropover.

R: Yeah.

J: Are you on a truck?

R: I honestly can’t say at this time. I’ll probably be with Baje, “Baje International”, Power By 4 you know that’s my peeps. I try to touch as many as possible. Betty West, Cranston, Bartel. Everybody. Speightstown. I’m out on the road. That’s what alot of people can’t understand. I don’t think I’ll be in competition this year.

J: Have you ever been in competition?

R: I have. Party Monarch. Placed 2nd and 3rd one year.

J: Did Jump win?

R: It did not. That was the big shocker that year. Moved past that.

J: Well, you were a new kid on the block then.

R: Right now it’s not advisable to do the competition this time. I have to be away so often to represent the island. Constantly performing every weekend representing the island outside of Barbados and also trying to make this thing happen on an international level so it requires for me to be out there. You have to strike when the iron is hot.

Jouvay.com: I saw the tourist board sharing out t-shirts at Insomnia in Trinidad when you were on stage. Are they sponsoring you now?

R: Well that’s a collaborative effort between the tourist board, myself and some other artists. We’re trying to push the island as much as possible. We’ve always told them that the amount of advertising we give them can’t be paid for. So, nuff respect to them, they have listened to what we have been saying for the past couple of years. We’ve actually come together now and they are taking care of us.

J: That’s good. Maybe they’ll take care of you and help us bring you back to San Francisco.

R: They’ve gotta do that. BTA, holler. Know what I mean. For real. These guys are about to jump on us man. 25 minutes left, we’ve got an after party. “After the show it’s the after party, after the party it’s the hotel…”

J: Thank you dahling.

R: So, we’re gonna do this man. Maya, love you like cooked food pon a Sunday. My grandmother’s cooked food.

Jouvay.com: You just tell the whole crowd you love them like that.

Rupee: No, but she makes this special dish. I mean you love granny cooked food, but there’s this one special dish. Cream potatoes, stew chicken, corn, gravy, macaroni pie. God Bless Moses I tell you, Jouvay.com love unna bad. Or islandmix.com or Triniscene.com or Toronto-lime.com, love unna like cooked food. “Love you all.”

Jouvay.com: Thank You

Rupee: Blessings

The introduction was written by Desa Philadelphia, the Hollywood correspondent for Time Magazine. Please contact Maya Trotz with any questions regarding this interview. Buy Rupee now.

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