BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ALISON ‘ALI DEE’ DORE of Gingerland is Nevis’ lone female artiste that will be entering the Soca Monarch competition in both categories for the upcoming Carnival celebrations.
The 26-year-old artiste said that at first she was scared at the thought of entering the competition but with the encouragement of her management team which include her fellow band mate Kareem ‘LL’ Herbert of The Kore and singer Rolhensha Henry.
“I was still scared up to when I heard the music. I was worried but I told myself I have to do it, I’m not scared anymore. I’m not scared about the night, about the competition or anything. I just want both messages out,” she said.
Dore said that she is hoping to perform ‘With or Without You’ in the groovy segment and ‘Rock D Nation’ in the power category.
“With or without you is a troublesome track,” she said. “It speaks about women not wanting to go out without their husbands or friends, because they don’t want to go out. So I am saying don’t wait on anybody to enjoy yourself because I wouldn’t wait, and vice versa for the guys don’t wait on anyone.
“Ladies don’t need their friends to go out and ‘wuk up’… and don’t tell me you’re going to stand in the corner and be all classy when Nu Vybes is playing. If you don’t want to jam I’m jamming with or without you,” she explained.
In terms of the power category, ‘Rock D Nation’ is an anti-violence song.
“It’s about how we sit back and complain and how contradicting we are to everything we stand for, ‘Country Above Self’, ‘Oh land of beauty’… it’s about how much we’re just forgetting about everything we stand for.
We’re a nation bound together, but we’re not together; we’re depending on police; we’re depending on government; when we are the ones who can make a difference and it’s time for all of us to stand up, come together and rock out the negativity.”
The songs were written by Henry and Dore while the music was done by Dijon Webbe, and recorded at Abbo’s Digital Factory in Nevis.
Dore first began performing in church and school functions before she began singing in hotels and said she is a member of ‘Friends’ mostly known for their hotel gigs and ‘The Kore’ who gave a thrilling performance at this year’s St. Kitts Music Festival.
She has also done back-up vocals at a number of performances including for X-Man who sang ‘Food All Over’ at last year’s competition, with Kassanova Band at last year’s Best of the Best event; with Konris Maynard at Beaumont Park and with Kassanova Band at the Basement.
According to Henry working with Dore has been going great so far and she is excited about the competition and being able to be creative.
“I’m always interested in participating; I like to be creative, so I had some songs in mind, but these aren’t the songs we’re using, Ali and I developed a different chemistry. I recalled hearing her sing vocals down Beaumont Park last year and she carried herself well. She’s very attractive, have a good personality and good voice, so I thought I should try and meet with her,” she said.
“I saw she could perform as well as sing. I was really excited, she came down to work with myself and Dijon and we all clicked and put some really good songs together.”
Herbert said that Dore has been having a good year and that the competition would be a plus for her career.
“She’s having a good year, she was on Music Fest; more locals are seeing her instead and getting to know Ali Dee, so entering the soca monarch was a very good idea. She’ll get experience on a wider scale and will share the stage with a high caliber of artistes.
I think she have a very good chance at winning,” he said.
Dore said that her preparations have been going well and is ready to show the Federation what she can do.
“I have a personal mantra which says, “I don’t have to be scandalous in order to be dominant, I’m a mother and a teacher and a woman. Above all I respect my child, I respect my students and I respect my femininity, I don’t have to be scandalous in order to be heard. I know my boundaries.”
Before Dore heads to the soca finals she will have to participate in the semi-finals for both categories on Friday, Dec. 2, at Carnival Village.
