Senior Investigative Reporter
shaliza.hassanali@guardian.co.tt
Growing up in Laventille, Karene Asche knew what it was like to go hungry.
It was also normal for her to hear gunshots ringing out among rival gangs in her hotspot community.
In her neighbourhood, she had to resist peer pressure.
There were days when Asche had to stand up against jealous students in her school.
Despite her struggles, Asche emerged a successful calypsonian because of sheer determination, staying focused and the support and guidance of her mother, Carol Redman.
Having won the 2011 Calypso Monarch title which earned her the first prize of $2 million—the largest to be paid in the history of the competition, Asche opened up to the Sunday Guardian on Tuesday during an interview about her difficult upbringing and how she used her voice to chart her musical career.
For Asche, the mother of a 16-year-old son, her life could have turned out differently, given the environment she lived in.
But she was adamant not to be swayed by the wrong crowd.
Instead, she turned adversity into positivity.
Last Saturday, Asche was selected as one of 12 finalists to take part in tonight’s Calypso Monarch competition with her powerful rendition No Excuse, which sends a message to the criminal elements that poverty is no excuse to commit crimes.
The song was composed by Christophe Grant.
Among some of the top guns who will battle Asche for the coveted crown are Machel Montano, Kurt Allen and Mical Teja.
In her song, Asche referenced American talk show host Oprah Winfrey who was born into poverty and abuse but was able to overcome her obstacles by becoming one of America’s most successful black women.
She also mentioned Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley who attended school in Tobago without shoes, but today holds one of the highest offices in the land.
“It was not necessarily to show that I am praising the Prime Minister, that’s not it. It’s just to show that this person came out of a difficult situation and look where he is today, ruling an entire nation.”
Asche endured many challenges growing up but did not turn to crime as an easy way out.
“I myself had hungry days and I never turned to crime. There were times I would go the whole day without food. My mom used to tell me to pray.”
When her hunger pangs intensified, Asche remembered drinking water or eating a morsel of porridge to sustain herself.
Living through those experiences, Asche said, showed her the meaning of sacrifice and made her a better person.
Don’t blame criminality on poverty
Asche said criminals have been blaming poverty for their actions when they could do better with their lives. She advised them to get an education and find a job. If they are not academically inclined, they can pursue a trade or programme to uplift themselves and be productive.
“They (criminals) believe they are entitled to what is yours. There is no way you should think that somebody owes you something. I would always maintain that poverty is no excuse for crime. It was so touching to sing a song because I know what hardship is. I grew up in it, lived it and came out of it. I am living testimony of this song.”
At the age of 11, Asche’s musical talent was discovered while attending Rose Hill Primary School which, years after her time, grabbed headlines in 2021 for the rapid gunfire it faced with warring gangs in the district.
In 1996, she was encouraged to participate in the National Women’s Action Committee calypso competition which she won, taking home the first prize of $20,000. That same year she also captured the 12-and-Under talent show and placed second in the Junior Calypso Monarch contest in the age group 11 to 15.
The second to last child in her family of five, Asche used her winnings to turn her life around and opened two businesses in Laventille which employs people within the community.
“At one point in time, I was the breadwinner in the family,” she admitted.
Her mother worked temporary jobs while her father did not play an active role in her life.
However, when he was around, she said, “He would love and support me.”
Within the confines of her Piccadilly Street home, Asche said, hearing gunshots was not unusual.
“That is the way the ghetto is.”
While attending Belmont Junior Secondary School, she had to stand up to students who were jealous of her talent as a singer.
A holder of five CXC passes, Asche said she always took her mother’s advice to never give up regardless of what life throws at you.
“My mother always told me that all things are possible through prayers. I prayed and worked hard and God opened up doors for me. The difficulties and struggles I faced have made me a resilient person.”
During her childhood and teenage years, Asche said, she was taught not to envy people’s things “because you don’t know how hard they worked for it”.
Asche said greed has been pushing criminals down the wrong path.
“The ones who do these things (robberies) have a place to sleep. They get meals. Their mentality is that you owe them something because you have.”
Some mothers, she said, also condone their son’s illegal lifestyle and enjoy the ill-gotten gains.
“It’s time to open your eyes and talk to your sons,” she advised mothers who should know better.
She said seeing murders plastered on the front pages of the daily newspapers has been nerve-eracking.
“It’s heartbreaking,” the songstress said.