BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – HOT ROD, a.k.a. the Turkey Killer, is bringing the frolic once again in the calypso arena with his new song for the 2009-2010 Carnival season.
His new song for this year’s Carnival, ‘P-Peep’, is causing quite a buzz and he took time out from his busy schedule to inform SKNVibes about the meaning behind the catchy tune.
Hot Rod, whose real name is Jamal Butler, said that since he received his driver’s license in May this year, a number of women have been ‘rushing’ him. “They have been saying they hear I have my driver’s license and I would wonder how they found out that,” he said. “Then they would tell me they want a ride in my ‘p-peep’, so I said sure when I get it they can get a ride.”
Butler said women have been telling him that they could not wait for him to get his vehicle so he could take them to their destinations. He said that is when he decided to write a song about his situation, as he observes that women always want a man with transportation.
“It’s a good thing for me to have my license because I want a trans for my safety of going out to perform and reaching home safe in the night. But I know when I get a trans the ladies will be rushing, they wouldn’t want to miss a chance,” he said.
Butler said he penned the tune and that the beat was done by his friend Lord Kent. It was recorded at Jeffery Brookes studio in Newton Ground. He said that Lord Kent, who also competes in the calypso arena, has provided musical accompaniment for two of his past tunes - ‘Tie You Cat’ and ‘Don’t accuse me’ in 2007 and 2008 respectively. Not forgetting his hit tune back in 2005, ‘Shontelle’ (Turkey Killer song), which had everyone chanting “Me’s a turkey, killer…Shontelle you turkey dead”.
That tune has made the 24-year-old calypsonian a household name, and each year calypso lovers always look forward to what witty tune he was coming with next. In 2006 he released ‘Melissa’, ‘Sandra’ and ‘Just Do it’. When asked about the title of some of his songs being female names, he said that there are times when one has to sing about some women because at times they would give you a bad name.
“So you hitting me with words and I will hit you back with my songs,” he declared. Butler is also looking forward to the competition this year and hopes that he would make it in the finals. In 2005, he placed First Runner-up in the Best of the Rest Competition with ‘Shontelle’, and was Second Runner-up last year with ‘Don’t accuse me’.
“I’m doing this because I want to win the big crown someday. Also for my fans and for keeping the art form alive. “I would like to get into the senior competition, I’m not afraid of competition because I’m not afraid of the spotlight.”
Butler describes himself as a good person who loves, reads and writes music. He said that he is currently being taught to play the trumpet by his co-worker Nigel ‘Numpy’ Williams. Hot Rod would like everyone to know that the Turkey Killer is back and getting stronger each year in the music industry and, as usual, he has a special dance for his song.
He is a member of the Legends Tent.
