innis_francis@yahoo.com
Young Xhadien Darius has made an impressionable mark on promoters since his announcement in the arena of calypso singing.
The six-year-old is the son of singing sensation Tamika Darius from Point Fortin. The younger Darius burst on the scene during the heights of COVID-19 and has performed at several shows and talent competitions.
His latest venture is a recently released Emancipation video penned by Brian London of the song, Africa.
The second-year pupil captured the hearts of many with his reappraisal of Too Young to Soca at The Voice of La Brea competition last September and won, and he recorded Kitchy Say as a tribute to sharing the same birth date as Lord Kitchener. He is armed with the tool of voice, and second in NACC & NYAC Emancipation Calypso competition 2022.
On September 2, young Darius would celebrate his second anniversary as T&T’s upcoming talent; his first recording was written by his grandmother Angela Darius titled, D Right To Play which speaks of Article 31 on the rights of children.
Already two steelband orchestras have approached Xhadien’s management team to perform his songs for Panorama 2023; the La Brea Nightingales and the other is tentative.
His mother said she is very selective of promoters calling for him to perform at shows and the disturbances it can have on his academic performance. She said during the August/September school break he has four bookings, three in Trinidad and one in Tobago.
Xhadien Darius during a photoshoot for his video Africa.
INNIS FRANCIS
“I just like to sing. I just like to sing. My favourite song is my mother’s song, Mother,” he said.
Tamika said: “I spoke to him about it, and all he kept saying is he wants to sing and make videos. He don’t really understand the term competition, and I like that, let him just enjoy himself for now.”
His rendition of Africa has earned him glowing tributes by many supporting fans and some constructive advice was given by producers for his blossoming career.
Tamika said: “I always knew he had a love for calypso music but it was my mom who encouraged me to let him enter The Voice of La Brea even though he would have been competing with 21-year-olds. I was a bit hesitant as he was only five but I sent him anyway. The competition was eventually broken into two categories, 12 and under and 13-21. We had to turn down a few projects because it would have been too much for him at this age. I mean two, or three shows in one evening. Although I know he is capable, he could become overwhelmed so it is important to have him pace himself.”
Xhadien is expected to be a cast member in a CNC3 children’s production and was a finalist in NACC & NYAC Emancipation Calypso competition at the Cipriani Labour College on August 6.
He would also appear on Damion Melville’s Children’s Show on August 22.
