THE covid19 pandemic has been detrimental to the entertainment industry around the world as public health restrictions limit gatherings indoor and outdoor.
In TT, DJs have been counting their losses for the past two years as nightclubs and bars shut their doors as a measure to curb the spread of the virus. Many have been forced to dip into their savings or reinvent themselves to put food on the table.
One DJ has been also counting his losses with a smile on his face. While his peers have been hurting economically, Arima DJ Careca Romero saw his biggest loss occur on the scale.
DJ Romero told Sunday Newsday the pandemic shutdown was a blessing in disguise as he was able to use the unexpected free time to focus on himself. Romero, 31, who is the personal DJ for popular soca artiste Nessa Preppy, said he paid a heavy price for drowning himself in music during his twenties.
The Sangre Grande-born DJ recalled honing his craft as a 17-year-old at house parties, trying to his get name known in the industry. As his skills and personality grew, so did his appearances at bigger events. In 2017 he was snapped up by Boom Champions 94.1 fm where he stayed for three years.
Romero said he devoted a decade, from age 20, to perfecting his craft and building his brand. But his commitment to succeed – playing at every party, being a part of the nightlife entertainment – left him physically unfit.
[caption id="attachment_938300" align="alignnone" width="599"] Careca Romero -[/caption]
He said he gained approximately 100 pounds as he was consumed by the nightlife, eating fast food, not exercising, and not sleeping adequately.
"That decade was when the weight was gained, the football was stopped, and the music was concentrated on the most. That was when I put in the most work to become a good DJ. Yuh focusing on one thing so much that you not studying physical fitness, yuh mind just on one stuff."
For someone whose nickname as a teen was CR7, owing to his love for Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo and his flair on the football field, this was a shocker for him and his close friends. However, Romero was seeing his DJ career rise and sacrificing his body seemed worth it.
"The passion for music was there at a young age. I always loved music, watching older DJs do their thing. I always wanted to expand my career, expand my brand, travel the world.
"Honestly, everybody knows me, football was always my passion, but sometimes yuh career takes different turns. I always loved football, playing in small leagues, training in different clubs (North East Stars, Joe Public), sweating (football) with my friends. But I say if one doesn't work out, I could always venture into something else that I love, and so far the music has been great to me."
[caption id="attachment_938235" align="alignnone" width="761"] DJ Careca Romero works out with dumbbells at his home in Arima. - ANGELO MARCELLE[/caption]
However, when the music stopped because of the
