Entertainment Macco

The Judges - Michael Sallickram, Glenda Collens & Johnny Gonsalves

Props again to Joanna de-Silva for the beautiful and very useful pictures...do not worry hun the stealing/borrowing is almost over! Thank you so much for sharing them with me…

Last week the contestants had to sing a Power Soca and any slow song from a Caribbean artiste and this week they had to sing a hit song from the year they were born and a song from the current year!

To macco good you all need to follow the trend of THEN and NOW…. look for the key words!

Last week I got a headache. I was so disappointed Akilah Wilson-Claxton because you have so much potential to be something great. Clearly both songs were out of your league, it is not your style, you were not comfortable at all and neither was I. I do not want to believe that you filling in for Junior Don with that off-key, off-beat kind of confusion.

When I heard you were going to sing “Voices from the Ghetto” – Singing Sandra, I was excited, I figured someone who sings with as much soul as you, should have been able to mash up that song. What went wrong babes? :-(

On the up side I really liked your outfit for “Max it up” – Destra. However I am sure Destra was quite disappointed after you convinced her and everyone else that you were going to mash up the place and then what we got instead was no rhythm and absolutely offkeyyyyyyyyyyyyness! (yes I making up my own words, A Macco can do that)

Last week again Afiya Athill, I had an issue with your constant reminders that you are “Shy” I did not buy it the first time you said it and it still not convincing. You did a fabulous rendition of Heather Headley’s “I wish I wasn’t”. Yes Yes Yes it was another moving performance from you. I had some problems with the second song “Sassiness”; that was the most boring version of that song I have ever heard/seen in my life. I felt as though something was missing from the execution of that song, maybe you were tired OR was it the “shyness”? Afiya surely has a voice but that didn’t sound like a soca to me nah… “ah ah ah” what was that? Girl, I thought you were in pain?

NOW Afiya really moved the crowd with her version of Whitney Houston’s “Saving all my love” She is now the queen of the pact and she stands out well. Her second selection was “Stronger” – Mary J. Blige and it is only fair to admit that it was a well meshed performance vocally, she took her time; it was calm and not an overdone performance.

However, I found that she sounded a lil “huskier” than usual @ Stronger but she worked it; really honest and genuine attempt.

Next up, the very cocky Donelle Job, week after week Donelle is not spectacular or surprising, he sticks in his comfort zone and the sister isle continues to vote (big shock right **sarcastic grin**).

Last week he sang “You told me” which was originally sung by Fred Hammond and Commissioned, and was very similar to last weeks’ performance, same energy level, not surprising at all because he is a comfortable performer but he was very soothing. Now, now, Donelle hunny I did not know that “Reach” – Rizon is a soca! Wait did you speed up the song? Donelle not because Rizon from Trinidad means that everything he sings is Soca OK! I am quite familiar with that song and that is not the speed I know, I have never heard that song so fast in meh life…. Rizon whey yuh?…….say summinnnnnnnnnnn! Is your song a soca? I think not!!

NOW this week Donelle chose Daniel Winans “Love You” I am really upset still because this boy really does not challenge himself at all. I disagree with Glenda talking about he challenged himself? Blehh I eh see/hear that! His second selection was of praise and worship; a gospel reggae originally sung by Jermaine Edwards - "Make you Smile" and was wayyyyyy better than the first but I still feel like he has to make some adjustments for the next round. He was good as usual but he is so safe… the consistency is there but break out your shell a little bit nah…What I can say is that you know how to pick your comfortable selections well.

Junior Don, Boy all I want to know is, sooooo long it took you to learn how to sing properly? Last week I really wanted to scream out and tell you that you really didn’t do too bad with that Barrington Levy “Too experienced”…I am surprised. However, you had a really low energy performance when it came to the second song “Higher than High” ….. I mean is a Machel you were doing **sighs** I can see though that you were trying to focus on the vocals aspect of your performance, you know that is what you get bashed for all the time but you were out of breath badddddddddd! Better you did sing Breathless yes because you had that aspect of the song down pack… lol **dead** Well I already realize that I could say what I want about your performances; the females still love you. Yuh hear what the judges say? Finally boy you figure out what you are supposed to sing and I was right you are a reggae/dancehall/chanter man. I still have my reservations about you being a “Soca man.” Anyhoos JD I will lay off your case for now!

NOW Junior you are really lucky eh? After you “buss” singing easy songs like “If I ever fall in love again” – Boyz II Men you decided to sing Michael Jackson’s “Rock with you” and John Legend’s “Everybody Knows”….well I nearly dead, I am close to being speechless (I cannot be totally because I have to finish writing this blog..lol)

I can tell that your vocal trainer (Glenda Collens) worked over time with you boy, it was what you really needed and you did not fail but made those songs your own and I liked that…. every week it continues to show that the crowd and ladies love you. :-) You came out and you delivered.

Next week somebody going home (at least they going home with money) and there will be the final 2 and performances..I have my top 2 picks do you?

Eddie Charles has been a part of the music industry in Trinidad and Tobago for quite some time. He is a Traffik die hard band member..although the macco realized that he has been on and off....but it seems as though Traffik is his home for now..People thought they woulda fail ent...after the "star" left.....buh wah happen to the female singer...anyhoos that is a different story..... Edwin "Eddie" Charles answered a couple of our questions so you the maccos can know a lil more about him!!

Entertainment Macco: Who is Eddie Charles?

Eddie Charles: "People describe me as a soca artiste but to me I am an entertainer, I entertain people."

Entertainment Macco: What is your horoscope/sign? Share your birth date with me as well.
Eddie Charles: "Aquarius, January 21st 1972"

Entertainment Macco: Haha!! Aquarius rules....(Just because I am one also)

Entertainment Macco: How long have you been in the business?
Eddie Charles: "Since I was like 10 years old I was in a parang band “Los Pericos” and singing Soca, I was also a member of Malick folk performers."

Entertainment Macco: When you are not singing what are you doing?
Eddie Charles: "Home... cleaning, cooking washing, house chores, I chill home because I have seen just about everything so I relax at home."

Entertainment Macco: So what you are saying that you are a home bird!! This is new to me!!

Entertainment Macco: Was it your dream to be apart of a band?
Eddie Charles: "Yes, my Dad was a musician and my eldest brother used to sing with Gemini Brass, my whole family was into music"

Entertainment Macco: Now we know you are from Trinidad but where did you grow up and go to school?
Eddie Charles: "Santa Cruz, Bourg Mulatresse RC, Barataria Jr Sec, San Juan Senior Comprehensive."

Entertainment Macco: Apart from singing are there any instruments that you can play?
Eddie Charles: "Cuatro, drums (Percussion Instruments) small things here and there."

Entertainment Macco: What is your favourite kind of music?
Eddie Charles: "Soca, R&B, slow jams and lil bit of reggae."

Entertainment Macco: Can you cook? if so what is your favourite dish?
Eddie Charles: "Yes, I cook everything but I have no favorite dish."

Entertainment Macco: What is your biggest turn off in a woman?
Eddie Charles: "I can’t stand to see a scrappy woman, the way she carries herself, her attire is very important."

Entertainment Macco: What is your idea of a perfect date?
Eddie Charles: " I don’t really date, but a nice restaurant , nice food, I am always on the go , I never really had time to go on a date"

Entertainment Macco: I heard somewhere that you are an entrepreneur, what business are you into?
Eddie Charles: "I have my own mini mart, I sell clothes, car rentals; I am into business."

Entertainment Macco: Where would you like to be in 5 years?
Eddie Charles: "I wish soca could reach to the Grammys and I would like to be apart of that."

Entertainment Macco: In your industry what is your biggest pet peeve, something that stresses you out?
Eddie Charles: "When you reach to perform at a show early and you playing last. How I could reach for 11:00 PM and we not playing till 3-4 in the morning."
Entertainment Macco: Yeah I feel you!! That has to be hard and unfair! Or maybe...anyhow leh meh eh say that..I eh wanna instigate! lol

Entertainment Macco: Are you involved in any other part of the entertainment industry? If yes what part?
Eddie Charles: "No I just do music, before doing music I was a machine operator and I quit to do music full time."

Entertainment Macco: You quit yuh Job? That has to be pure passion!!

Entertainment Macco: What is one word that best describes your personality?
Eddie Charles: "Fun, Shit talk..... that is me."

Entertainment Macco: Are you married or in a relationship?
Eddie Charles: "In a relationship"

Entertainment Macco: So... Traffik seems to home for now, but I know in the past you left what made you go back?
Eddie Charles: "Andy and I have always been close and he called me back so I went. There was never any bad vibes between us. We have always been good."

Entertainment Macco: Do you have any children or plan on having any?
Eddie Charles: "Yes I have children"

Entertainment Macco: When looking for a mate, do you rather someone in the industry or out of it and why?
Eddie Charles: "Out, I don’t like women in the spotlight it is too much to deal with."

Entertainment Macco: Why do you think there are more successful men in our entertainment industry than women?
Eddie Charles: "Men are more aggressive, some women seem to be more laid back, you call a woman to do an interview she has to get dressed up, do make-up and change clothes so many times."

Entertainment Macco: What made you stick with your own name and not use a sobriquet?
Eddie Charles: "I just stick with my own name, even though my name is Edwin."

Entertainment Macco: Favourite country to visit?
Eddie Charles: "Cayman Islands....all the small islands."

Entertainment Macco: What advice would you give to other peoople who are just entering the industry or females in the industry who are not as established as you?
Eddie Charles: "Think positive, anything you do think positive never think negative about yourself, you can do anything you put your mind to."

Entertainment Macco: Are you living your dream or do you think there is more you can do? If there is more do you care to share it with the macco?
Eddie Charles: "Yes I am living my dream. I wish I was the president so maybe I could make Trinidad a better place to live in."

Entertainment Macco: When you die how do you want to be remembered?
Eddie Charles: "I want an Edwin Eddie Charles Statue in the heart of Port-of-Spain, Independence Square (Laughing)"

Entertainment Macco: I know there are real life maccos out there, how do you keep your personal life off the streets and separate from you business life?
Eddie Charles: "You can't really stop maccos, somebody always hear something, you will be home all week and they will still talk."

Entertainment Macco: Yeah boi Maccos just do not give up **giggles** I eh know why some of them so!

For those who are unaware and have never heard about “Ma$tamind”, he is that sexy, tall Rastaman who had a lot of people going crazy for Carnival 2k9 with “Come fuh Roti come fuh Roti.” Wait! But a lot of allyuh think he is a “Johnny come lately” but please do not be fooled, he has been producing music for a number of years and has a well established Production company, Mastamind Productions…..So ladies is not only Sex Appeal is all kinda Appeal! Men do not hate, maybe you all can learn a thing or two about creativity and swag..lol

Alright so the people want to know about “Da Mastamind” well I got a chance to grill him, no music thing eh..we getting personal…






Entertainment Macco: So Shawn tell me, how tall are you man?
Da Ma$tamind: "Last time I checked I was around 6’6” or 6’7”."

Entertainment Macco: What is your horoscope/sign?
Da Ma$tamind: "Leo...Best set of people in de world!!"


Entertainment Macco: Anyone ever told you that you and Latapy could pass for a twin (if he still had his dreads and if he was taller?)
Da Ma$tamind: "I fed up get that especially just after we qualified for world cup in Germany. This one man stopped by my car to ask me if I was Latapy and all. I finally had the pleasure of meeting him a lil while back though."


Entertainment Macco: Are you the sporty type? How do you keep in shape?
Da Ma$tamind: "To be honest, I have really always been into music and stuff. I think the more appropriate question would be, "Do you keep in shape?" Hahaha. When I get time I do some biking and stuff, lil exercise home...nuttin major though."


Entertainment Macco: By the way...what is you favourite sport Shawn?
Da Ma$tamind: "The beautiful game... FOOTBALL."


Entertainment Macco: Are you one of those total gaming junkies? (arghhhh)
Da Ma$tamind: "I admit I can get carried away playing FIFA for a whole day straight."


Entertainment Macco: Sometimes you ask a man, what his favourite colour is and he tells you that he is not into colours, What is you colour?
Da Ma$tamind: "I'm a red kinda guy"


Entertainment Macco: Shawn what is you shoe size?
Da Ma$tamind: " I normally wear de box that the shoes came in....Hahaha. But seriously, size 13."
Entertainment Macco: LOL **dead**


Entertainment Macco: Which do you prefer, Briefs or Boxers?
Da Ma$tamind: "Dat briefs ting too confining man! Boxers fuh sure."


Entertainment Macco: Which do you prefer your lady wear, boy shorts, thongs or none?
Da Ma$tamind: "Sometimes boy shorts, sometimes thongs, sometimes none. ;)"


Entertainment Macco: Which do you prefer, Older women or younger?
Da Ma$tamind: "I have been attracted to predominantly older women."


Entertainment Macco: What is your biggest turn on…I mean what makes you quiver just from thinking about it?
Da Ma$tamind: "It kinda hard to single out one thing in particular. With different women, there is a range of attributes that I would find appealing."


Entertainment Macco: What is your irresistible temptation, other than food eh (if that is one)?
Da Ma$tamind: "That’s easy… MUSIC!"


Entertainment Macco: While we're on the topic of food...what s your favourite dish?
Da Ma$tamind: "Macaroni pie!"


Entertainment Macco: What is it like being married at such a young age and being in the spotlight?
Da Ma$tamind: "Being in the entertainment business I must admit temptation presents itself in all kinda shapes, forms and colours. However, if you really love and respect the person you with (married or not), then it ain’t dat big a deal."


Entertainment Macco: If you were not married, what would you be looking for in a woman?
Da Ma$tamind: "Ah like how yuh phrase yuh question. Hahaha. Well I’m big on personality. We must be able to sit down, lime, have serious conversation or ole talk. Sense of humor is a must too. Well these among a whole other long list of qualities."


Entertainment Macco: At what age did you lose your virginity?
Da Ma$tamind: "Dat was last month! Hahaha. I’m kiddin’. Was around 15 or 16 I think. Hmmm… cyar remember for sure nah!"


Entertainment Macco: Would you advise young men to wait until they get older to engage in sexual activites?
Da Ma$tamind: "Of course! But I know we not living in an ideal world. So, what I would advise is to be safe and use protection if you feel you have to, bound-to-must have sex. It's really out responsibility as adults to educate our youth properly about sex, so that they are able to make better and well-informed decisions on the matter.


Entertainment Macco: Were you always one to practice safe sex or you live/lived on impulses?
Da Ma$tamind: "Never was the impulsive type when it comes to sex!"


Entertainment Macco: Got any children or want any?
Da Ma$tamind: "No I don’t have any. The jury still out on the “wanting them” issue though. As soon as they amend laws to allow parents to return dem to sender when dey get too rude and out-of-hand, I will consider it further…"


Entertainment Macco: Mamma’s boy or Daddy shadow?
Da Ma$tamind: "I was always both."


Entertainment Macco: Are you religious or spiritual?
Da Ma$tamind: "Spiritual."


Entertainment Macco: The part of your body you love the most and why?
Da Ma$tamind: "All of it! To me that is like asking a parent which one of their children is their favourite."


Entertainment Macco: What is your pet peeve?
Da Ma$tamind: "Stupid people doing anything stupid!"


Entertainment Macco: When you want to get away from it all is there any place you run off to, where?
Da Ma$tamind: "There’s really no time to get away from it all these days. But trust me, one of these days I will pick up and disappear to somewhere and I not saying where. I don’t want anyone to find me."


Entertainment Macco: Shawn is it safe to say that you are living your dream?
Da Ma$tamind: "To a certain extent yes. I still have lots more I would love to achieve."


Entertainment Macco: Shawn, so we have noticed that since yuh start performing your pants getting smaller, does that mean that your head is getting bigger?
Da Ma$tamind: "Nah! No big head here. I always try to do my best to remain grounded and humble."
Entertainment Macco: **Breathes sigh of relief** Thank goodness!


Entertainment Macco: Rumour has it that when you was going school, you use to be beating a riddim on people desk and that now yuh still do it, is that true, and is that how you figured out that you wanted to produce?
Da Ma$tamind: "Hahaha! Firstly, hell yes we used to beat riddim on de desk in school. Big up to meh good friend and St. Benedict’s classmate, Ikechi Griffith. He was the other main culprit. But the urge to produce music came long before the desk-beating days. I was always been curious about the process that takes place with a song before I hear it on radio."


Entertainment Macco: So Mastamind while we on the topic of rumours, I keep hearing all kinds of rumours about you and this rum and roti song, like is real rum and roti politics going on here boy? So yuh want to tell us who song it is?
Da Ma$tamind: "The song is owned by two parties (Mastamind Productions and Patch). The initial idea came from Natasha Andrews-Noel and it was a collaborative effort by myself and Patch to bring the record to life. The song is also registered as being performed by Da Ma$tamind and Patch. I am in no way and have ever claimed full ownership of the song though no money exchanged hands in it's production."
Entertainment Macco: Eh heh!! no money exchanged hands in it's production? Noble are we?

T.C has been in the entertainment business for more than ten years and is known among his peers and fans as Super Jigga TC- The King of Swag. It is fair to say that he is a self made superstar who is greatly loved by the masses. Jigga wears the tightest skinny jeans in the industry, even tighter than those the sultry female artistes may attempt to wear. TC has played an instrumental role in the establishment of 91.9 – Trinibashment and the production of both Soca 4 Summer and Synergy TV Soca Star.

• Entertainment Macco: For those who do not know TC, what is your government name?
• Jigga: "My name is Terrin Callender"
  

• Entertainment Macco: When yuh born? I know some men in the public eye love to hide their age so help me out nah....
• Jigga: "Lol...Let’s just say the late 70’s"
  

• Entertainment Macco: What part of Trinidad do you hail from?
• Jigga: "San Juan"

• Entertainment Macco: What colour represents you/Favourite colour?
• Jigga: "Girl…Believe it or not I am a definite black & white person."




• Entertainment Macco: Honestly Jigga how many pairs of skinny jeans do you really own?
• Jigga: "Ha ha ha…honestly I gotta say about 40 pairs minimum…"

• Entertainment Macco: Dude what is your shoe size?
• Jigga: "I am a size 9"




• Entertainment Macco: Plus while we on the topic of shoes…how many pairs do you seriously own?
• Jigga: "The thing is I do not wear the same uptowns more then once (white)... So I have quite a few of those. Umm my airforces, I have maybe like 100 plus pairs, then I have all the colourful ones I rock. In total I have over 300 pairs of shoes."
• Entertainment Macco: That is an entire closet just for your shoes?
• Jigga: "Ha..ha.. I have a room for my shoes."

• Entertainment Macco: So we noticed the “KING OF SWAG” label on your car, some might say you are conceited but I am thinking this is your brand so you promoting, Clear it up for us nah.
• Jigga: "Honestly, I have owned so many cars in my lifetime and I am guilty of experimenting with them. I took a car that everyone is familiar with and I messed around..made it my own..my brand…. It’s doing the job right? I am getting people to talk so it is serving its purpose."
  




• Entertainment Macco: How did the name King of Swag come about?
• Jigga: "I have been using the word Swag before it was all over the place, it was an underground word in the United States for like the last 4 years and according to the Oxford Dictionary it means acquiring goods and services illegally. I thought that since I was already planning on starting my music Career I wanted to be the King of old melodies, not doing anything illegal but re-using old beats. There is much more to it than that but just condensing it a bit."

• Entertainment Macco: Tell me! What do you think sets you apart from others in the game?
• Jigga: "I am not afraid to try new things and negativity strengths me, I mean really strengthen me, when people say things about me I will commit, commit, commit. In order to gain attention I have to be doing something right, I rather 1000 negative things said in comparison to only 5 because the negativity will make me a force to be reckoned with."

• Entertainment Macco: Rumour has it….I doh deal with rumours eh so I asking, Is it true that at one point in your life you were in the public transportation business, can u confirm or deny?
• Jigga: "Huh? What do you mean?"
• Entertainment Macco: Like Taxi driver/owner, maxi driver, conductor or owner
• Jigga: "I have always been an entrepreneur from a young age. To say I have worked taxi, maxi, bus or boat as a means of survival would be a false BUT I have had taxis on the road..I did it once or twice when I was like 18 or 19. What I can say for sureeee though is I used to sell in the market…I had a stall and thing..talk about Making Money…"
  

• Entertainment Macco: What would you say is your best/sexiest feature?
• Jigga: "I would have to go with my Eyebrows."
  

• Entertainment Macco: Biggest turn on in a woman…what makes you go damnnnn
• Jigga: "Aura and believe it… I like the bad ones….. :-)"
  

• Entertainment Macco: Biggest turn off in a woman?
• Jigga: "It has to be insecurity, I just cannot stand it."
  



• Entertainment Macco: What is your pet peeve?
• Jigga: "Definitely Ketchup on food..especially on Chinese..."
  

• Entertainment Macco: Boxers or Briefs?
• Jigga: "I love my Briefs."
  

• Entertainment Macco: Which do you prefer your lady wear, boy shorts, thongs or none?
• Jigga: "Ummm it depends but I gotta go with the thongs but I love those boy shorts too."
  

• Entertainment Macco: Are you married, If not any plans of tying the knot soon?
• Jigga: "No not yet but you never know.. it might be pretty soon."
  

• Entertainment Macco: Any baby Jiggas or want any?
• Jigga: "No none yet...maybe soonnnnn!"
  

• Entertainment Macco: What is your favourite food?
• Jigga: "Tai…Coconut Tai Curry"
  

• Entertainment Macco: Can you cook or are you one of those “eat out” every where you go kind of guy?
• Jigga: "Hell yea I can cook!"
  

• Entertainment Macco: Are you the sporty type? How do you keep in shape?
• Jigga: "It goes by my moods…I eat correct…It depends but I diet, off season when I am not doing Soca Star, I pig out but I gym out most of the times."

• Entertainment Macco: Favourite sport and can you play it?
• Jigga: "That would have to be basketball, I ain’t Jordan but I can play a little bit.. lol"

• Entertainment Macco: What is your irresistible temptation other than food…if it is one?
• Jigga: "I am addicted to television, a total movie junkie, no joke I probably own and have seen every good movie for the last 10 years, I have every possible programme to download and stream movies and videos."

• Entertainment Macco: Religious or Spiritual?
• Jigga: "Both"




• Entertainment Macco: I understand you are well travelled…what’s the best place/country you have visited thus far?
• Jigga: "The best is hard but the most interesting thus far would have to be Taiwan, the culture and off course I enjoyed the food."

• Entertainment Macco: When you want to get away from it all is there any place you run off to, where?
• Jigga: "My spot, home away from home is in Ft. Lauderdale, Broward County. When you miss me just call any Sheriff Department or Broward phone number and you are sure to find me."

• Entertainment Macco: One place you want to visit before you die?
• Jigga: "Bollywood Bollywood Bollywood!..India"




• Entertainment Macco: Really? U're serious?
• Jigga: "Yep I am...got to head up there soon!"

• Entertainment Macco: When choosing a partner what do you look for, after the first attraction?
• Jigga: "Conversation…constructive and healthy.. Lady has to know how to speak."

• Entertainment Macco: Are you into relationships or you rather a one night stand
• Jigga: "Both…."

• Entertainment Macco: How important is it for you to have sex in a relationship?
• Jigga: "Has to be 50/50 they work with each other.."

• Entertainment Macco: What is your idea of a romantic night out with your significant other
• Jigga: "Tai food, Wine and a movie."

• Entertainment Macco: Since you are the undisputed king of swag can you confirm any thoughts of dabbling in fashion?
• Jigga: "Fuh sure, I have some briefs coming out soon and the campaign is going to be off the chain, it will be mad fun..I am a fun guy so there is no other way to do it."
  

• Entertainment Macco: Honestly TC, are you living your dream?
• Jigga: "Most definitely, I am having a lot of fun and I thank god everyday for my privileges. I am doing things that so many people only dream of. I am also working on a script for a movie/play with a good friend and there are a lot of other things in the works. There is the fashion aspect, my target to complete 7 singles between now and carnival; 2 already completed(Twit-her & Hate me), there is the new season of Synergy TV Soca Star and so many more awesome stuff….."