BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Federation’s 2012 Groovy and back-to-back Power Soca Monarch Monarch, Orin ‘TakeOver’ Roberts, has plans to takeover Sugar Mas 42 and, more specifically, the Soca Monarch Competition as he gears up defend both crowns on Friday (Dec. 20).
Last week, TakeOver released a Groovy track dubbed ‘We Not Stalling’ and teased with a pre-released track of his Power tune called ‘We Taking Over’.
In an exclusive interview with SKNVibes, TakeOver gave a brief overview on what the Groovy song addresses.
“We Not Stalling is basically about us coming out to enjoy ourselves for Carnival. From the time we touchdown and you get your passport stamped, you know it is Sugar Mas. You going to every single fete, every single activity that they have and you are not stalling.
“So if you have friends and they are sleeping, too bad for them. Let them stay behind...we going to enjoy ourselves and tell them how it is. Don’t care whatever obstacle it is, that is not stalling you. We are going to enjoy ourselves for Sugar Mas because we come to play mas.”
In his explanation about the motivational aspect of the Power track, TakeOver said, “For the Power category, is TakeOver is taking over and every year the revellers come to take over the road for Carnival. The clowns, the masquerades, the troupes, the visitors come to enjoy themselves and, of course, Takeover is back again and he is here to take over .”
TakeOver also explained how his preparation for this year’s Soca Monarch Competition is proceeding.
“Preparation is pretty hectic but I think we are doing pretty well. We are just in the final logistic stages just to tie off a lot of things, but I think preparations are going quite well.”
He is also confident that he can successfully defend both crowns and blow away the audience and competitors on Friday.
“It is defiantly my intention to defend both crowns and defend them successfully. I acknowledge as well that we have competition this year and I think that all goes well for the competition and the future of Soca in St. Kitts and Nevis. But I have every intention of defending my crowns and not to retain them by any small margin. I intend to blow away the crowd and the competition.”
When asked which of the finalists he believes his biggest threat is, TakeOver said, “I always see the competitors on the stage as competition. I do go as far as measuring the competition but you have to see everyone as a threat, because everybody wishes to capture my crown.
“I have to guard it with my life and my fans and I will surely guard it because we come to takeover. And once you have the spirit of Alexander the Great who was the greatest conquer of all time, I don't think anybody can beat me.”
TakeOver also provided some advice to his fellow competitors.
“Just come out and enjoy yourself and put your best foot forward. Leave it all on the stage and whatever the judges’ decision is, it is final. Accept it and let us remain friends after the competition.”
He was also questioned on whether he believes the late release would put him at a disadvantage.
“Not quite! Of course you have had songs that were out for a while, but it comes down to the quality of the songs. While I do agree I probably could have come out a little earlier, at the end of the day when you are trying to marry the quality of your song, not only to cater for the St. Kitts market alone, you also have to try and cater for other markets, especially the hub of Soca which is Trinidad.
“So it is not that I was not prepared, but the process by which my songs have now taken brings that lagging component. I probably would have brought it out a few days later than I would have liked, but I don't think in any way it puts me at a disadvantage, because I have every intention to market the song every day until Friday.”
He also gave a rationale for not competing in this year’s Senior Calypso Monarch Competition.
“That was a personal decision I made in consultation with management. We just decided to break this year. But rest assure, TakeOver will be back for calypso next year.”
TakeOver also weighed the prospects of him competing for the Road March Title.
“At this point we are considering. We haven’t taken a definitive decision as yet. Again, it will come back to the impact the song has on the fans, because there is a lot of logistics one has to take into account. But it is something that we are considering. If the feedback from the fans is overwhelming, we would know how we can look to make the dream a reality.”
He also encouraged his supporters to come out and show their support, as his quest is to repeat last year’s feat.
“I would like encourage all my fans to come out and support TakeOver and come out and support the other artistes. Bring your A game and be ready to take over.”
Last December, TakeOver made history in St. Kitts and Nevis when he became the first artiste to win both the Power and Groovy crowns on the same night.
TakeOver’s new releases can be found at https://soundcloud.com/i_am_takeover.
