A basically unknown but gifted Simeon Joseph did two things this past month that made people sit up and take notice; he took a popular folk song and made it his own and he pretty much ruled the airwaves.
This unassuming kid from Mahaica, who has some serious vocal chords, arrived at the opportune moment (on the verge of Carifesta X) with a contagious version of “Janie Gal” that landed him on the radio almost immediately.
He went from a wannabe singer waiting for a shot at a local recording to the guy who everyone was suddenly enquiring about. And guess what, he is unfazed by the attention, thinking only of what the future holds for him and if in a short while he can add another local hit to his name.
The 16-year-old Joseph goes by the alias, ‘Little J’ which speaks to his diminutive frame, most people hardly knows his Christian name, and during his sudden rise it was the only name the public kept hearing.
Though he had a start in the music business since he was age 12 writing material for singers the likes of Mark ‘Anaconda’ Batson and reigning Junior Calypso monarch, Ernesta Nelson; Simeon was just a fixture in his East Coast Demerara church. He played the keyboard along with another friend and got kudos for his skills.
“It was all about worship then and it felt good. I had no complaints about raising my voice song to God though I longed for a music career. I enjoyed it then and I still do because church is a big part of me, always will be,” the young man told The Scene in a recent interview.
But while he was busy on the keyboard at church Joseph kept an eye out for singer/producer Fojo. To him Fojo represents a certain standard in the business that very few could match, so if he didn’t meet Fojo then his career was never going to kick start, well at least, no time soon.
Perhaps he was lucky, but things just started happening when they were supposed to. He ended up at the National Park a year ago for the Emancipation celebrations and spotted Fojo hanging out. Simeon seized the moment and approached the singer who not only gave him a hearing, but invited him to stop by Platinum Studios.
“I laid down a tune for Fojo right there in the park because he wanted to know if I could sing. Turns out he was impressed and the rest is history,” Simeon revealed.
He joined the Platinum Family and started working hard with them. His big break came when Fojo was approached to produce two songs for Carifesta. Simeon got the nod to collaborate on one of them, and was even asked to sing it.
According to him, the decision to do the old folk song came because he grew up listening to folk music and loves it. Simeon said his grandfather exposed him to the music when he was still a toddler growing up so it is in his blood.
What he and Fojo did was write new verses but retain the chorus for “Janie Gal” then Fojo worked on the arrangement. Within a day the two had a song he felt was good enough to grab attention, particularly during Carifesta.
Simeon did not anticipate that it would be so big people would be calling him up to ask if that was his voice on the radio just now.
He described the past month as “crazy” and a new experience for him. Simeon would wake up in the mornings to hear his voice on the radio; something he still gets a kick out of and occasionally he was invited to NCN studio for interviews.
Simeon, who has kept his head together after his mother migrated a few years ago, said he also stays focused on his books and is looking forward to finishing school this year. He attends St Mary’s Secondary School.
“I would love to go places with my music and do so much, but it will only happen if that is what God has planned for me so let’s see,” he added.
Simeon’s “Janie Gal” has staying power and something about this young man says he has it too. (ianaseales@yahoo.com)
