Trini-born musician Triniboi Joocie (Rodell Sorzano) stole the show with his original song “Bottle Over Head’ in week five of The Voice UK 2022 Blind Auditions over the weekend.
Sorzano took a leap of faith to open the show on Saturday by performing the original song, which was released in T&T in 2020 and has since garnered 2.7 million views on YouTube.
“I performed, mash up the place as they say...with a blend of nerves and excitement,” Sorzano told Guardian Media in an interview on Sunday.
“I’m still, I guess, just recovering from it man. It’s been a lot. The journey has been a lot.”
He admitted that he declined the opportunity to be a part of the show twice prior because he did not believe they understood “authentic artistes.” However, he said the Voice UK team reassured him it would be a collaborative effort to raise awareness of the soca genre. He said they were supportive when he chose his own song and commended the band’s ability to learn and perform the music.
“It was the first time, I guess, even the musicians played soca music,” he said.
Sorzano said he told the coaches that his participation was bigger than himself.
“This is my culture, this is a people, this is a music that is under-represented and I am glad and I am proud to be bringing it in its rawest form with a rag, (saying) aye put your hand in the air you know? Just really authentic as you can be,” he said.
On Saturday, Sorzano treated the UK audience and judges to a true Trini performance - full of vibes and energy. He immediately turned the show into a fete, with audience members on their feet, dancing and cheering him on. Within the first 30 seconds of his performance, coach and singer, Anne-Marie hit her button, turning around while dancing along to his performance.
However, she was not alone. Throughout his rendition, all the coaches could be seen smiling and dancing but only Olly Murs would also hit his button at the last second of the performance for a chance to coach Sorzano. The musician would eventually select Anne-Marie as his coach.
Although he didn’t turn around, coach and American rapper Will.I.Am commended the chance Sorzano took.
“You wrote that?” he said surprised.
“It’s very rare that a singer comes on, sings an original song that the crowd reacts to as if they heard it a thousand times. That is freaking amazing.”
Sir Tom Jones also commended Sorzano’s performance.
Sorzano lives in the UK where he works as a secondary school teacher. He has been promoting soca and T&T culture for the last 12 years.
