Patrice Roberts

Hennessy cognac presents the finale of its exclusive Artistry concert series this evening at the Space La Nouba Nightclub, La Romaine, where they present Hennessy artistry Bhangra.
The event will feature a fusion of local chutney, classical Indian, soca and dance talent as they create their own trini version of bhangra music. Performing on the night are Rikki Jai, Patrice Roberts, Rooplal G, Richie Ram, bMobile Shiv Shakti Dance Crew, and Elle Incorporated. The event will be aired live internationally via provider Awdio.com in conjunction with Triniscene.com.

Bhangra music is a form of music and dance that originated in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. It began as a folk dance conducted by Punjabi people to celebrate the coming of Vaisakhi, a Punjabi festival. The specific moves reflect the manner in which villagers farmed their land. Today, bhangra survives in different forms and styles all over the globe, including pop music, film soundtracks, and even collegiate competitions.

Patrice Roberts

Patrice Roberts is a young Trinidadian who is rapidly edging her name among the elite in the music industry. Roberts has been the premier soca artiste in the Caribbean for more than a decade and has established herself as the leading draw at major events in New York City, Miami, Toronto and London and throughout the Caribbean diasporas. She is recognised as a leading performer in the soca music genre and is highly regarded as a great songwriter.

Roberts began her career as early as 1992 at age 9. In 1995, she and her panel of back-ups entered the Sangre Grande Junior Calypso Monarch Competition, where she placed first. This earned her rave reviews and standing ovations wherever she performed. In 2000, she was named Toco personality winner. In 2001, Roberts copped the National Junior calypso monarch, National Junior soca monarch and National Library calypso monarch, which earned her a chance to perform at the Junior Carnival in Miami. She also performed in Barbados at the Crop over festival where she shared the stage with the likes of Alison Hinds.

On July 13, 2003, Roberts performed at the Africa House in the United States. On August 6 of the same year, she performed at KC Hideaway and later on the 29 she performed at the Brooklyn Museum in the US. On September 20, she performed at Super P’s launching held at the palace in the US; on September 28, she again performed at the Africa House in the United States. In 2006, Roberts became the youngest female artiste to win a road march with the song Band of the Year which she jointly sang with Machel Montano. She has been described as one of the best soca artistes in the Caribbean.
Some of her many hits include Love of my life, The Islands, Band of the year, Light it up, Always Be, Sugar Boy, Till Tomorrow, Culture and Wuking Up.

Rikki Jai

Rikki Jai was born Samraj Jaimungal, the fifth child in an East Indian family of six in Friendship Village, San Fernando. Raised in the Hindu faith by a mother who spoke Hindi, Jai discovered a love of music and began performing with local Indian bands Triveni and Naya Andaz. His calypso career began in 1989 on the Spektakula Forum stage with a song by Gregory Ballantyne titled Sumintra. The song about an East Indian woman who told her boyfriend about her preference for soca over the Indian artiste Lata Mangeshkar became an instant hit.

Many other hits would follow including, Show me your motion (1990) and Wine on a Bumsee (1993). After 1993 Jai began performing and recording primarily in the chutney soca arena and hits such as Doolahin, Rosie Bilna and Jarah Lagehla propelled him into the international arena. Jai captured the Chutney Soca Monarch title in 1998/1999 and the National Chutney Monarch title in 1999/2000.

In 2001 he tied for first place (with Bunji Garlin) for the Young Kings title and in 2002 for the fourth time in five years, Jai was chosen Chutney Soca Monarch. He is currently represented by Question Mark Entertainment, and is in high demand for his energetic and charismatic performances all over the US, the UK and beyond. Jai recently completed a tour of five cities in Germany (performing as part of a contingent to promote T&T culture and to support the Soca Warriors’ effort), and has had his music attached to a new Bollywood film project that releases worldwide for summer.