BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – SINCE bursting onto the music scene in 2005, Konris Maynard has etched his name into the annals of local calypso history. During the 26th Independence Anniversary celebrations, the four-time Senior Calypso Monarch was awarded a Medal of Honour for his outstanding contribution to the field of music. SKNVibes sat down with Konris to get his reaction to the prestigious honour and his thoughts on his musical career.
Q: When did you first know you wanted to become a musician?
A: I don’t know if I ever knew I wanted to become a musician; it’s just something that happened. My father and uncle, as well as a number of other local, regional and international artistes, were huge inspirations to me. I performed a lot when I was younger, and at 12 I entered the National Junior Calypso Monarch Competition. I was the First Runner-up that year, and the next two years I was champion.
In the summer of 2005, I was listening to some local music from the 70s and 80s. I realised we produced some really good music back then but weren’t currently at that standard. I wanted to help us get back to it. I had the melody for ‘Sunday J’Ouvert’, so I decided to work on it...and the rest is history.
Q: Who is your favourite calypsonian?
A: I don’t have just one. I like a number of calypsonians for different reasons. I like David Rudder for operating outside the box, Meeko from Nevis for his energy, I love how Ayatollah performs onstage and I love the genius and musical ability of Ellie Matt.
Q: What influences your musical choices and how would you describe your brand of music?
A: I grew up in the church and I am trying to lead a Christian life. Anything I do, it must be acceptable in the eyes of God. I won’t be singing anything I don’t think God would approve of. I would describe my style as different. Every year, my music must be in a different direction. It must cause pause. If it sounds like the same thing from the year before, people will just tune it out. I love to be different.
Q: You’re a lecturer at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College; how did that come about?
A: I applied to lecture because I felt I could do that while I develop my plans. I don’t plan to be a teacher forever, but I enjoy it. I’m always willing to impart whatever knowledge I have to other people. There’s no better way to use what you know than to teach others. I am presently putting together plans for my own business, but it’s in the design phase. I can tell you, I will be bigger and better than TDC and Horsfords. (Konris has a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of the West Indies and a Master’s in the same field from the University of Waterloo in Canada).
Q: You’re very involved in community work; tell me some of the projects you have participated in or have plans to develop.
A: I’ve made donations and contributions to several clubs. I’m also available for speaking engagements. Right now, I’m involved with the Village Superstars Football Club, which is in the heart of where a lot of the young men are going astray. I’ve identified several individuals whom I will speak to personally, let them know someone cares and help them if they need help. I want to establish some sort of big brother exercises in the Village so that we really can take care of our boys. Essentially, they don’t have mommies and daddies. I think it is my duty, especially since I sang that song, to be a mommy and daddy to them, much like how I had a mother and father there for me.
Q: How did you find out you were receiving a Medal of Honour and what were your feelings?
A: Someone called me and told me before the Prime Minister announced it on National Heroes Day. I was quite humbled. It’s a tremendous honour and I never dreamt of getting something like this. I’m very, very proud of it.
Q. There’s been some criticism floating around that you are too young to receive such a prestigious honour and there are persons in the musical field more deserving than you. What is your response to the naysayers?
A: People will always have criticism, especially when they’re ignorant of the process and what it is. One of the things I heard was that I’m very young, how could I get a Medal of Honour? But if you go down the road tomorrow and save somebody’s life, and the government thinks it’s worthy, you can be awarded a Medal of Honour because it is given for an outstanding performance.
I am proud to say that I have done for calypso in this country what no one else has done. I have won the Senior Calypso Monarch contest four straight times. I am undefeated in that competition and I am the Leeward Islands Calypso King. There are many things that make me a little bit different from other people.
I did all this while in school and while being an inspiration to young people. I have no qualms in accepting the award; I feel I deserve it. The criticisms do not faze me. This is politically biased of course. If I were associated with the PAM party and I was given the medal under the Labour government, there would not be these criticisms.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 20 years?
A: First, I want to be a family man. Second, I’m always going to be involved in calypso, whether singing, producing, or commentating. But I’m not going to be competing forever. Competition hinders your growth a bit because it’s so subjective and people get so competitive. I don’t want to be a part of that forever. I’ll still contribute in some form or fashion...I’m not going to stop singing. I’ll just give the talkers a chance to finally get one or two trophies. I won’t say when I plan to retire from competition, but I am definitely competing this year.
Q: There has been speculation that you are eying a career in politics. Is that true?
A: I have no intention to enter politics anytime soon. That is very far off, maybe a 100 years away, but I can’t say it’s impossible. I have to make this point: not because I seem like a decent fellow, not because I have letters behind my name, not because I sing some calypso that sound good means I’m ready to be a politician. That’s a mistake many persons make and that’s why many of our politicians end up not being good, because people think being good on the outside is enough to be a politician.
I am 26. I am not prepared to be the Prime Minister or Deputy Prime Minister of the country. It would be a tremendous disservice. I know my limitations and I cannot handle the challenges of the job at this age.
Q: So is it something you see yourself doing several decades down the road?
A: In 20 or 25 years; the only reason I would enter politics is to accomplish something I can’t do as a regular citizen. If I can make all my contributions behind the scenes, I will continue to do that. If I feel there is no one else in my village or community that is able to solve its problems, obviously, I think it’s a duty for you to consider how you can serve. But I can’t give any hard and fast answers.
