By Suelika N. Creque
Editor-SKNVibes.com
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA’S Paul Richards, known in the calypso arena as ‘King Obstinate’, began singing at the age of 14. In his first year competing in the art form, Richards was crowned King of the Calypso Tent Competition, and that was when the Antigua Carnival was celebrated in December.
In an exclusive interview with SKNVibes, Richards described his career as a success but noted that the stroke he suffered in 1998 was very hard on him.
He also said that he had travelled to many countries on numerous occasions performing and felt that the success of his career was due to the fact that his music had touched people.
“I have a different style. I cut through it, I don’t go beating around the bush…I go straight to the point and get my story across.
“It’s always important that that my melodies and music give them something to dance to. One of my highlights is that I am very clear when I sing; people understand my words and I try to make sense,” he said.
Now at age 68, Richards has had over 50 years of experience in the art form producing hit songs that have not only made him king of calypso competitions in Antigua, but has also afforded him the opportunity to travel all over the world.
Some of those songs include one that he describes as an anthem in Antigua and which propelled him into the music industry.
‘Wet your hands and wait for me’ was a tune he recorded while residing in New York back in the 1960s. He said it became an instant hit at home.
Other songs include ‘Children melee, ‘Shiny eyes’, ‘Always come back to you’, Jumbie, ‘Fire’, ‘Antigua’s true Hero’ and ‘Coming down to talk to you’.
In 1998, Richards was surprised by a stroke after enjoying good health all his life. He was immediately flown to the United States where he was a patient at a rehabilitation centre.
“It was a very rough period. I was not sick before and I guess it was a lot that built up. And when it struck me, it was hard and had me down for a bit, but God has been so good to me, and also the people of Antigua,” he said.
Like anyone who is familiar with a near-death experience, he is thankful to be alive and gives praises to God. From that experience, Richards began singing gospel songs although he still does a number of calypsos “for the old-time folks”.
One of those popular gospel tunes is the soca remake of Helen Baylor's 1990 hit ‘Wounded Soldier’.
“A lot of people referred to me as a ‘Wounded Soldier’. That was the big one that brought me into gospel fame, and after I experienced my stroke and going through rehab I did some writing,” Richards said.
Although he now walks with a cane and still suffers some aches and pains, Richards said he is doing well.
“I go to the beach a lot, and also to the doctor,” he said.
In 2004, Richards performed before a large crowd at the official launch of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) Election Campaign and came under attack for remarks he made concerning the Prime Minister Denzil Douglas.
According to a Caribbean Net News (CNN) report on October 13, 2004, Antigua’s then ruling United People Party (UPP) supporters were angry with Richards for making statements suggesting that “Antiguans wished they had Douglas there”.
“Make sure it is an all eight on Election Day. You have a good government. You have a good Prime Minister. We wish we had him in Antigua and Barbuda as our Prime Minister," the site reported he told the cheering crowd.
That statement was interpreted to mean that Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer was not doing a good job and has been 'weighed in the balances and found wanting", CNN stated.
Richards said that he got “a lot of blows” for the statement he made.
“I’m always for good. I think he (Douglas) did a very good job and that’s what I said at the time. I don’t want to get too deep in it because I got lashed the last time, but I do admire Dr. Douglas a lot,” he said. “When I came to St. Kitts (in 2004), what I saw really impressed me. Because I came to St. Kitts in the early days, very early, and he did a fantastic job when he got the job.”
When asked for his opinion on the Federation’s four-time consecutively crowned Konris Maynard, Richards said he was not familiar with him but noted that the young calypsonian sounded like dynamite.
“He has broken my record. I won the crown three times in a row. I beat seven kings in one night, but this guy sounds like dynamite; I would love to meet him. Tell him to call me and maybe we can do something together,” he said.
In terms of advice, he encouraged that calypsonians should try their utmost to be consistent in the art form.
“It’s important you come every year, and early. That’s the key to batting! As long as you’re in the wicket and in the crease, you’re going to make runs. So you got to stay in there, but be consistent, come every year, do the best you can and release your songs early,” said Richards.
