From singing in the shower to the stage
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - IT is no secret that most of us enjoy singing while taking a bath, but being asked to take that indoor singing to a big stage is a totally different step.
Reigning Junior Calypso title holder K’Moya ‘Singing Solution’ Laws’ said that her talent was discovered, unintentionally, during an audition in her home.
The 17-year-old former student of the Edgar T. Williams Primary (formerly Tabernacle Primary) and Cayon High School, is the daughter of Lillian Finch and Kenneth Laws and her stepfather is former Calypso Monarch David ‘Pungwa’ Patrick.
Singing Soultion recalled that she started singing under the shower during her high school years.
“Well, when I started singing in the shower, my stepfather asked me if I wanted to sing in the junior calypso competition. At first I was afraid and I told him no”.
Asked how long it took her to make up her mind to perform in the calypso arena as a junior, she said, “One week, and I learnt my song in a day.”
That song was ‘Candle In the Wind’ which was written by her stepfather.
She was a participant in recently held Proud Sound Tent, where she sang a tune called ‘Memories of The Dead’.
Although, she is not totally into the calypso art form, as she admitted, Singing Solution makes sure to listen to it because of her affiliation with the genre.
“I like wilders too, but because I sing calypso I have to listen it (calypso) and I like to hear my stepfather’s songs also”, she added.
Her favourite music is Dancehall.
Asked if her friends listen to her songs, she replied: “Yes, all of them. They tell me good song and ask to make sure that I learn my songs well because they want me to win another crown.”
Singing Solution is a student at the Advanced Vocational Education Centre (AVEC) pursing studies in Business Management.
She disclosed that her future business plan is to one day own a store, where she would be selling shoes and clothes “because I like to dress”.
She claims to have achieved a balance in her studies and singing, noting that “when I’m in the classroom I do my school work but I still sing my songs in my head. So I would say that I’m balanced”.
Echoing the advice her mother repeatedly gives to her, Singing Solution said, “Always put education first. Education is the key. After education, anything could come.”
“I used to hear her. All the time I used to hear her sing, but I didn’t know my daughter could sing like that…and it was after she went to practice her song. I said wow she did great, and after the first day she sang it I said my daughter will be queen. And when we go to the tents everybody loves her song”, said Finch about her daughter’s talent.
Whenever Singing Solution takes to the stage, her mother is always up front dancing and singing along with her.
“People are like, ‘How come she one knows the songs.’ I know the songs because she is my daughter”, Finch said about herself based on the curiosity of onlookers.
Finch stores her daughter’s songs on her phone and always encourages her to listen them before leaving home for a public performance.
In her advice to parents as it relates to giving their children moral support, Finch said, “Whatever your child wants to do, you have to be there for your child. Encourage him or her, and as long as the children have the potential, encourage them. Let them go after it because it could benefit them in the future.”
Commenting on what people can expect when she goes to defend her title, Singing Solution said, “Expect the unexpected.” However, interjecting, her mother said, “She will not be letting go of her crown so easy; not without a fight.”
‘Memories of the Dead’ is the song she will be singing for that competition which is slated for Saturday night (Dec. 21) at the Sugar Mill in Warner Park.
This media house learnt that Singing Solution was a decorated athlete during her primary and high school days.
“She used to be a very good athlete (sprinter). Nobody has ever beaten her in primary school”, her mother said.
She boasts over 50 gold medals and 15 trophies as a repeated Victrix Ludorum during her athletic years in primary school.
Medals were also won in primary school zone competitions and also at the Leeward Islands Athletics Championships.
At this year’s Inter-School Championships, Singing Solution won a gold medal in the high jump event representing Cayon High School.
Her singing name was given to her by Pungwa and she describes it as “come to solve problems”.
According to her mother, “Singing Solution is sending out a message to the youngsters who are in gangs. She is telling them that they need to come out of the gangs and pull themselves together and find something positive to do.”
As a young calypsonian, Singing Solution believes that she has the potential to make a positive difference in St. Kitts and Nevis, based on the songs she sings.
