Growing up in St James, 105 FM radio personality/disc jockey Clyde Hart, fondly known as DJ Wax, witnessed the solemn procession of tadjahs. Spurred on by tassa drummers, they paid homage to the martyrdom of Hussain, grandson of Prophet Muhammad. Following a flambeaux-lit path, Hart stole away to the Cross Fire and Pan Am North Stars steelband yards to listen to pannists practising under moonlight. As the nation marks its 49th anniversary of Independence, the Sunday Guardian salutes Hart for his 39 years of dedication to T&T's indigenous cultural expressions. Quizzed on his milestone, Hart said: "DJ Wax is the Number One back-in-times DJ. I attract massive crowds on the Treasure Queen, pubs and clubs."
Reflecting on his career, Hart said: "I support the culture from since the '70s right to now. I was one of the first DJs to play soca...calypsoes in parties. I remember playing Mighty Duke's Thunder. People wanted to know what I was doing. Calypso wasn't popular. It changed to soca." Hart added: "I support pan, culture and hosay. The music was buried in me. Since then, I have been promoting local music. I am one of the DJs who plays pan on local radio and parties." Hart has maintained close ties with the calypso fraternity. When Hart's turnstile rotates, everyone gets a shot at stardom. He said: "All artistes who want to release their songs come by me. Everybody paid big money for songs. I try to give everybody a fair play. People who don't get airplay in the day, get airplay at night. I give listeners a chance to hear everybody. I do the best I can to promote calypso, soca, steelpan and chutney."
Give culture more airplay
Hart saluted 105 FM (a subsidiary of Guardian Media Limited) for its emphasis on local programming. He felt great strides had been made with regard to culture. But constant airplay was mandatory. Hart said: "We should give culture more airplay. Some like 105 and Power 102 constantly support the art form. There are some stations that make switches around Carnival. They support it for a particular time. Then throw it under the bamboo. It's unfair to the artiste. They use it, abuse it and dump it." Hart added: "The art form has reached a long way. From the Machel Montanos to Iwers. There is always room for improvement. Kitchener, Duke, Super, Crazy, and Sparrow paved the way for the art form's development.
He urged citizens to "love up their culture." "Appreciate local culture all year round. Not just Carnival time."
From DJ Emergency to DJ Wax
Hart made friends with Kenrick Jarvis and the late Mustapha -the trio experimented with deejaying and entertaining. Hart said: "I had a tube amplifier with 75 watts in the '70s. It played with two boxes. They called me DJ Emergency. Jarvis brought in the first amplifier from New York. I was always behind the one turntable." The flirtation blossomed into musical passion. Hart's family moved to Petit Valley-known as the House of Wax. Hart said: "My friends tied the knot. The music was buried in me. I decided to hold on and make a career out of it." Carib Brewery's Colin Murray christened him D' Original Wax.
105 FM sensation
He hit a goldmine in the '90s. Hart's sonorous voice hit the airwaves. "I got the break on 105 FM. I did the graveyard shift." Hart became a household sensation. Patting himself, he said, "From the '90s to now, programmes like Secret Garden of Love, Retro Thursday, Reggae Night and Inspirational Hour are Number One. Secret Garden of Love woos listeners." Inspirational Hour sends out spiritual vibrations. You have to be grounded. I encourage everybody put God first. Don't forget God."
He shares pastor Jonathan Mc Knight's 17 Prayers of Victory with listeners. Another milestone was playing for former prime minister Patrick Manning at his house parties. Hart thanked his listeners who tune in religiously. "I have listeners who sleep in the day and stay up at nights to enjoy the music. I have listeners at Port Authority, fast food restaurants, police officers and in jail. "My signature Secret Garden of Love is about bringing back the love. We need the love."