J-pop crossover soca star Ann G (Angella Giustini) is joining the Japan-TT Friendship 60th Anniversary Executive Committee (JT60), as well as the Embassy of Japan in Trinidad and Tobago on the frontline of celebrations for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and TT.
The Niigata, Japan-born singer/songwriter and TT-based Gold Point Entertainment have teamed with soca star Lyrikal (Devon Martin), music producer DJ Private Ryan (Ryan Alexander) and co-producer/singer/songwriter Keashav (Keshav Chandradath Singh) to create the celebratory track Oideyo (The Island), a media release said.
The track, an initiative of JT60 as part of this year’s celebrations, will be released within the next few weeks as the theme song for this year’s 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations. It will be prominently featured during a Japanese cultural event from September 20-23 at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s, Port of Spain, the release said.
Oideyo will subsequently be used in Japan to promote travel to TT and the wider Caribbean.
“Oideyo is the Japanese word for 'come to,' or 'come over.' So we are saying to the people of Japan, 'Come over and experience TT, meet its people, taste the food and share in the culture,'” Ann G said in the release.
Ann G is no stranger to TT. The bubbly singer has been coming to TT annually for Carnival for the past decade and has previously competed in the International Soca Monarch final and semi-final rounds.
“I always tell anyone that will listen in Japan that you must go and experience Trinidad Carnival at least once in your lifetime. It’s unlike anything they have seen before. Yes, we have Trinidad Carnival culture growing in Japan, but nothing beats having the original as a reference point.”
The song’s producer Keshav said he purposely blended traditional instruments from Japan and TT into the music to create a percussive meld of both cultures. Keshav has a family connection to Japan: his father, Chandradath Singh, served as ambassador of TT there from 2011-2014.
[caption id="attachment_1099315" align="alignnone" width="1024"] TT producer and singer Keshav. - Photo courtesy Keshav.[/caption]
“I used traditional Japanese instruments like the shakuhachi flute, koto harp and taiko drums along with instruments from our traditional Trinbagonian riddim section."
Private Ryan said working remotely with Ann G and Lyrikal on such a significant cultural exchange was a true blessing.
“It was an amazing experience working with this team. Bridging the gap in cultures is important to me as we seek to diversify soca and its impact worldwide. This is only the beginning,” he said in the release.
Lyrikal said collaborating with the Japanese artiste, Private Ryan and Keshav “is a fantastic opportunity to promote TT culture and elevate soca music.”
“When I engage in these types of collaborations, it’s always about more than just me. I think about how many more people we can reach and introduce to our unique culture and sound,” Lyrikal said.
About the 60th-anniversary celebrati
