Part two of an exclusive interview
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – HE is known as the reigning Power Soca Monarch of 2013-2014 Sugar Mas 42 season, but what most people do not know is that this talented performer had a few stage frights but was encouraged by his many fans.
In Part One of our exclusive interview with Bjorn ‘Mr. Hype’ Bassue, he spoke a lot about his childhood experiences in the field of music and also who he was before becoming famous in the Federation.
In Part Two, Mr. Hype reveals some of his experience during the competition that you our readers did not know occurred behind the scenes.
SKNVibes Entertainment – When you were announced one of intended candidates for the Semi-Finals and the Final for last year’s competition, what was your reaction like being it your first Soca Competition.
Mr. Hype – “For me, it was a humbling experience. Some people who were in the game longer than I am didn’t make it through the other particular segments, and they were some persons during their band practice and different promotional event, they would say things and do things that would create a buzz that made me ask myself if I am really ready for this. These people got all these experience, talk, vibe and attitude. I asked, ‘Where do I fit in this whole picture.’
“I was a bit nervous. I had my times where I asked myself if I should really go through this thing, if I am going to go really far. But after everyone was hyped about the wuk it thing and they wanted to see more to the video, I just said, ‘Man, forget about the Semi-Finals, we taking this all to the finals.’”
SKNVibes Entertainment – At the events where you guys were invited to perform, was that like a form of practice for you or did it build your confidence more as a singer.
Mr. Hype – "It was practice. I remember the first time that I actually performed out. Well, the first time we were first slated to perform out, I punked out. I didn’t do it because I felt at that moment I was not ready and when I started to look at the other guys on stage doing what they were doing, I was like ‘gosh I don’t have the guts to go out there and do that’.
“But the second time around I didn’t really have much of choice, because the first time was an option. But somebody asked me and couple of the other artistes to come and perform and I agreed to it.
“That first time on stage in front of that crowd of people, I could say I was very nervous, uneasy. I felt like if I didn’t know what I was doing, and I was like, ‘God, I just want this to be finished and get off the stage.’ But people actually received it well.
“As I went through the performance I felt more and more motivated and appreciated with what I was delivering, and after that performance I was confident and ready. I used all the criticism I got from the first performance and I went home and practiced.
“A lot of people tell me yuh stiff and yuh cyant wuk up and like my whole thing. I always tell people the point of the wuk it video is not to really show how a Kittitian could wine or how Bjorn cud wine, everybody does that; it’s in every music video where both girls and guys going on bad. I didn’t want do that! I wanted mine to be a little lighter, humorous and something for the very old can watch and appreciate and remember, and want to look at over and over.”
SKNVibes Entertainment: You talked about the criticism you faced during the competition, how did you feel about the critics who disliked your song?
Mr. Hype: “I can’t remember if I faced any criticism or feedback from people out there that they didn’t like or appreciate the song. Everywhere I went persons who heard it and the most they would tell me is that it can’t be you singing that song, it wasn’t you in that video.
“It was a shocker to most people but they really liked it and they loved that it was something different. It was like a breath of fresh air from just going through a whole year of politics from the paper and radio. It was more a carnival atmosphere.
“I felt really good that a lot people appreciated something really good. But for me, it was something simple because I loved doing it. There wasn’t much negative feedback I should say.
“But they were people that talked about the appropriateness of the video and the song and I can’t remember what they used to analyze it to say what was said in the song. A lot of the things they said were a bit off. There was nothing vulgar in the video.”
Look out for Part Three of our conversation as Mr. Hype who will talk about his winning moment and what occurred after the first 48 hours of his reign.
