MonCherie

St Lucia-born artiste MonChérie is in Jamaica promoting her new single, 'Billy Boom Boom'.

According to the artiste, the type of music she practises is Caribbean pop, which is a mixture of reggae, dancehall and electronic music.

MonChérie was recently a presenter at a local awards show and told The STAR she wants to get her songs popping in Jamaica, because the island is the melting pot for Caribbean music.

"I feel like the part of Africa that came to Jamaica were in charge of the music. You guys are powerful in music, Bob Marley is like a king and the appreciation for music is so real this year.

"So I told my team we had to come here, because we view Jamaica like a mecca for Caribbean music. You guys are the best when it comes to arts and I see that.

"Everything is so organised, you guys have a music industry and a lot of Caribbean people should look to Jamaica to see how they can improve their music and their country.

"I have to go to New York and other places to promote my music, but Jamaicans can 'buss' their own music. I don't know what Jamaicans have, but I think it's spiritual," she said.

The artiste was recently signed to an international label, which she says is working overtime to promote her music to a wider audience. While in Jamaica, MonChérie will also seize the opportunity to film the music video for a new reggae-influenced single, Bitter Sweet.

"I call my sound Caribbean pop because it's the new genre. Its Caribbean dancemusic (CDM). I am trying to push CDM and, so far, the reception has been great.

"It's getting airplay in the US, on Power 105 in Trinidad and other stations," she said.

She said Jamaicans should accept and support her music because St Lucians are very supportive of Jamaican music. She has already performed in Trinidad and the US, among other places; however, the Jamaican audience, she admits, is like no other.

"You can fool other people, but you can't fool Jamaican people. They will see right through the fake talent. I don't feel that I will be booed, I feel like if I perform, they will see that I love singing," she said.

She can be followed @Moncheriemusic on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.com. - Curtis Campbell

NEW YORK, USA -- Saint Lucian MonChérie continues her quest for recognition as one of this generation's most dynamic young music artistes. She is also making a statement to the world that the tiny island of Saint Lucia can no longer be ignored.

After her music debut last year, which produced her first single "No Santa," the singer has followed up that effort with an equally energetic new song, "Billy Billy Boom Boom."

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MonChérie
The Saint Lucian songstress culminated a busy 2014 campaign in which she showcased a unique musical infusion of reggae/dancehall, pop and R&B. Her persona and sultry voice has captured the attention of industry insiders across the US and the Caribbean and most have little doubt of her potential for superstardom. Just recently, she finished a tour in Trinidad where she received endorsements from many of the top DJs and radio stations on the island and they are now playing her music.

"My goal is to bring hot music and a new sound to the industry," said MonChérie, who cites Jamaican dancehall trailblazers Lady Saw and Patra as her musical influences. "But I also want to bring back the culture to Caribbean music by representing this generation. It is not old school, but it is a mixture of African and West Indian styles and sounds. You will see a lot of dancing. That is what I wanted to get across with Billy Boom."

Although “Billy Boom” has an island feel to it, MonChérie is adamant about the desire for her music to transcend the Caribbean music scene.

“My music is about pulling cultures together and taking my sound to an international level where everyone can move and vibe to it,” she said. “I believe I have a sound and message that can reach anyone, no matter where they are from. I definitely will be tackling social issues pertaining to women, relationship problems, life-problems and sharing some feel good, happy music,” she said.

Aside from her music, MonChérie is never one to leave her fans hanging. She is a constant presence on social media; updating Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages with inspirational messages, photos and behind the scenes footage of video shoots. She wants her followers to capture the full scope of who she is and to share in her musical journey.

“I want to open doors for new and even old Caribbean artistes to do the same thing I am doing here in America. It is all about inspiring and encouraging one another,” she said. “Hopefully the work that I am doing now will pave the way for others who have dreams similar to mine.”

In 2015, MonChérie plans to release new projects and she is also looking to explore possible collaborations with other big name artistes.


“Billy Billy Boom Boom” can be viewed on YouTube: - Caribbean News Now

Rising international music sensation, MonChérie, continues her quest for recognition as one of this generation’s most dynamic young music artists. After her music debut earlier this year, which unleashed the major hit single, “No Santa,” the singer has followed up that effort with her heavily awaited and equally energetic new song, “Billy Billy Boom Boom.”

The St. Lucian songstress is on the last leg of a busy 2014 campaign that showcased a unique musical infusion of reggae/dancehall, pop and R&B. Her magnetic persona and sultry voice has captured the attention of industry insiders across the U.S. and the Caribbean and most have little doubt of her potential for super stardom.

MonChérie cites Jamaican dancehall trailblazers Lady Saw and Patra as her musical influences. And indeed, there are those that say that MonChérie is this generation’s Lady Saw and Patra. When asked how she felt that she could expand and build upon what those legendary Queens of the Dancehall have accomplished she responded, “Well, I feel that what I add and bring to the table is bringing cultures together. In the past there were those who said that they couldn’t connect with Caribbean music because they didn’t understand what was being said, but now music genres like reggae, dancehall and even soca are evolving. I believe that I serve as a bridge between cultures with my different sounds where people can say, ‘Yeah, I can relate to that.’”

There is quite a variety and mixture of sounds in “Billy Billy Boom Boom.” It is not old school, but it is a mixture of African and West Indian styles and sounds. You will also see a lot of dancing. When asked if that was representative of her style as an artist? She said, “Yes. I have songs that have and R&B flavor and a Hip Hop vibe and even with that, I still wouldn’t say that that’s all I am. I believe I have a sound and message that can reach anyone, no matter where they are from.”

Although her music has an island feel to it, MonChérie is adamant about the desire for her music to transcend the Caribbean music scene. When asked how she planned on accomplishing this crossover she responded, “Well, most of my music promotions are going to be in America. I have a three-month campaign on Power 105.1. Right now, my other single, ‘No Santa’ is also getting a lot of play. It’s a major accomplishment. My music is playing in the biggest marketing area in the world, New York City, on one of the biggest music stations in the world, Power 105.1.”

In 2015, MonChérie plans to release new projects and she is also looking to explore possible collaborations with other big name artists. “Right now, I’m in the process of doing collaborations with Movado. I’m also interested in working with Shaggy and Sean Paul because what those two have in common are exactly what I’m interested in being, which is a crossover artist. I’m also interested in doing collaborations with Nicki Minaj. She’s one of the biggest Hip Hop artists in the world and she was born in Trinidad! I’m interested in collaborating with artists that can help expand my fan base, internatio­nally,” she said.

In response to the possibility of releasing an album next year she said, “That’s not my main focus right now because in the music industry, it’s wiser to build up a name first, get the people talking and then come with an album. Right now, we’re just releasing singles out there to create that buzz like Billy Billy Boom Boom.’ Also, we have other singles that we’re going to be pushing as well as shooting a video in St. Lucia.”

MonChérie has spoken about addressing social issues with her music. “I would definitely tackle issues of abuse; any form of abuse. I believe as music artists, we have a duty to spread positive and helpful messages to the community with our voices and our songs. ‘Billy Billy Boom Boom’ accomplishes that.

“Yes. You see, I like party, feel-good, happy music like ‘Billy Billy Boom Boom’ because when I’m down or sad about a situation, I like to put on a a fun song with a positive message. I want all of my songs to be able to help people is some sort of way or else I’m just doing songs for nothing. Songs such as ‘Billy Billy Boom Boom’ serves to bring a happy and light feeling to a world that can sometimes seem so full of darkness.” - Kerwin Bollers