Koriq

KORIQ READY TO LAUNCH 

There are few young musicians as accomplished and talented as the youngster Courick Clarke who has impressed as a keyboard player and a brilliant beat-maker with a bright future ahead of him. 

Clarke, who is known as Koriq in music industry circles, has worked with several prominent artistes in gospel and reggae, artistes such as Judy Mowatt, Carlene Davis, Sandra Brooks, Prodigal Son, DJ Nicholas and the Grace Thrillers to secular artistes such as Queen Ifrica, Duane Stephenson, Luciano, Freddie McGregor, Toots Hibbert and the Voice 2014 Winner Tessanne Chin.

"I've always had an ear for vocals both lead and background, and that's why I started arranging harmonies for the children's choir at about 10 Years old. I was somewhat shy so I always avoided the spotlight in terms of taking the mic and going out as a lead singer but on occasion, I would find myself Front and center, and the reception has always been positive," he said.

The son of IRIE FM veteran broadcaster Bob Clarke, he was influenced by music at an early age. He grew up in Kingston, and at the behest of his father, quickly became attuned to different vocal timbres and styles of veteran stars such as Ken Boothe, Bunny Ruggs, Alton Ellis, Trevor Roper, and David Hinds.

"Growing up I was always involved in music, I started playing the keyboard at age eight and by the time I was nine,  I was playing in church," he said. 

   During his teens, he attended Ocho Rios high school in the parish of St. Ann and became instrumental in the development of the school's band. After graduation, he pursued a business studies course at Moneague College for a year, then studied jazz and classical piano at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.

In 2007, Koriq join the critically acclaimed Black Soil band, conquering his initial reservations about being a lead singer. Over the last decade, he has worked assiduously on his craft, fine-tuning his sound. 

   "I have done a lot of singing in studio, and I began working alongside the great Dean Fraser and Tarrus Riley, working on my craft and I have made great improvements over time," he said.              He has earned several rave reviews opening for Tarrus Riley and he has performed with him all over the world. At first, Koriq did covers of major reggae songs, but now, he is ready to launch out with more singles and introduce original material to the world. One of those songs is “Good Day” which was recently released, With plams to follow up with an EP which will include his cover of Meghan Trainor and John Legend’s “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” Set to be released Later this year.