Ever since he could remember, Jude Phillip knew he wanted to do one of two things with his life: play football or make music.
He started early at age seven at Vos Government Primary and went on to successfully play community football for Gasparillo Youths and Marabella Family Crisis Centre. Later, in his teens, he became the captain of Pleasantville Secondary School’s Intercol team. When he did A-Levels at Shiva Boys’ Hindu College, his skills on the pitch made national headlines as he helped the college win not one but three titles in 2017.
However, when a recurring knee injury and subsequent surgeries prematurely curtailed his promising professional sports career, he turned all of his attention to his other love—music. This isn’t to say that it was ever far from his mind. He was schoolmates with soca artiste Jahmike “Christo” Bonas, and they were both asked to join the school choir.
“And me being the person I am, I was more willing, so I joined,” he chuckles, sharing: “Around that time, Christo had just released his first track, which was an R&B song... The head of the choir, Shenique, started telling me we need Jahmike in the choir cause at that time he wasn’t Christo just yet, and she asked me to go talk to him, which I did... Since then, it’s a wrap; we have built a natural relationship where now I could comfortably say that is my brother.”
The two started chatting about pursuing soca, entered the school’s calypso competition, and won in all categories—including extempo. “Christo was a little shy as he was in a younger form than me, so he just did backups. That was an enjoyable and unforgettable year. Shortly out of school in 2018, he got his first hit song, Red Gyal, and for me, it was Squeeze It in 2019, which led me into the early Trinibad era!”
Delving into Trinibad
Calling himself JP, he soon found himself on the Lifestyle Riddim alongside some of the biggest names in the genre like Rebel 6, K Lion, Tafari, Jahllano, Rondo, and Teejah. That track gave him the chance to travel and perform in countries like Guyana and Suriname. “This period of my life I will describe as somewhat challenging. I was exposed to quite a lot which I don’t wish to speak of,” he tells We Life and Culture. “I also had a lot of joy and happiness as I got my first hit song.” Due to the tune’s heavy rotation, JP believes he helped propel the Trinibad sound in south Trinidad; it was already “bubbling on the grounds” in Port-of-Spain.
Writing always came naturally to him. His mother told him that since he was six years old, he would write on any piece of paper he got his hands on. It’s no surprise he was later awarded the most outstanding student for English Language in CSEC exams. “I have vivid memories of those days,” he says. “She also gave me a copybook, and I filled it with songs before I had even consciously known what I was doing. Unfortunately, I don’t know where that book is. However, that has not stopped me from writing, and I’m truly grateful to God for this talent he has blessed me with.”
Recently, he and popular songwriter Emmanuel Rudder penned Freedom for soca artiste Syo, and also wrote Lily Gyal for Guyanese singer Timeka Marshall, which became a hit song in Guyana.
Back to soca
His latest soca, called Culture and slated for release this month, was written by him and Marge Blackman, with background vocals by Marge, Christo, Dario Charles, Jabari Phillip, and Jovy. It highlights how infectious and groovy the music is, while the accompanying video showcases traditional characters and other aspects of local culture.
“Last year, Christo ended up vibing me sometime before Carnival and he say he have a tune to hear. From the time I hear him say that, I done know is a big track, so the single, which of course was Doux Doux Darlin, had me rolling with him behind the scenes while he was conducting affairs of that project. During that time, the love for soca reignited. I say, ‘Wayyy, boy, watch the power of soca nah.’ I say, ‘Yeah, that is the topic: power of soca,’ which then turned into Culture.” JP began working on the track around April. He called up Marge, and everything came together. “I tell myself, ‘This is your first release back out in soca—who else better to touch this than soca royalty itself?’”
His team decided that they needed to up the ante with a music video. Harpy LYFE Entertainment, he said, understood the assignment and executed it.
Sibling rivalry and support
Coming from a family of eight boys, he believes that environment cultivated his competitiveness—both on the field (he also excelled at track and field during his school days) and now in the booth. “You learn to be tough, you learn to be without, and most certainly, you learn that family could also be your friend as well as your biggest support system. I was blessed to grow up the way I did. In another life, I will choose no other!”
Looking back, the Gasparillo native has zero regrets about the paths he’s chosen. Even when finances to further his music career were hard to come by, he kept going, believing in his purpose.
“My mother always said to me, ‘Son, don’t worry, everything in God’s timing.’”
Future plans
Asked what’s next, JP says he’s leaving that in God’s hands. He credits his faith for allowing him to turn his life into “something positive” young people can look up to. “I see myself being an inspiration and a blueprint for the next generation,” he says. “We live in a world today where the love for humanity is seemingly lost and music is universal, so if in some mystical way my music can make a difference, I will just be a humble, happy soul. Not forgetting, in everything, give thanks!”
