The West Indies cricket team is arguably the most free-spirited bunch around, who never miss a chance to celebrate their success.
During the last World Cup, it was the Gangnum Style on which they danced their heart out to rejoice their on-field success. And this year, whether it was their win against India in the semi-finals of T20 Cricket World Cup 2016 or their historic triumph in the finals, the foot-tapping number Champion, made by all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, was their victory song.
Champion refers to a number of Caribbean and international figures from all arenas whom Bravo considers champions in their own right. Shot in downtown Los Angeles, the song’s video is the follow-up single to widely popular Indo-Anglo fusion song called Chalo Chalo. In a conversation with Metrolife, Bravo talks about his love for cricket, music and more.
EXCERPTS:
How was the song created?
Champion is about celebrating people who have been influential in my life, some of whom I’ve had the opportunity to play with and be friends with. Champion is also a way to encourage my fans to find their own inner champion. I always draw inspiration from whatever is going on in my life at the time. In the case of “Champion”, we had just won the T20 Cricket World Cup and the Caribbean Premier League, among other tournaments and I wanted to celebrate that.
How was your experience?
It was great fun and believe it or not, the song was originally recorded in Jamaica at Chris Gayle’s studio. The studio experience with friends and a teammate was definitely one for the books.
What does cricket mean to you?
I’m not sure how to answer this. Cricket is my life!
Which is your favourite team?
Besides West Indies, it’s India.
How did your tryst with music begin?
Music has always been my passion and interest but I never thought of taking it to an actual stage or studio. My very good friend and huge reggae artiste in Jamaica, Beenie Man encouraged me to actually pursue music seriously. I never would have done it if he hadn’t encouraged me.
Your musical philosophy?
I am a happy and a positive person and I want my music to reflect that. My fans mean a lot to me, so I want to make sure that my music is something they can relate to.
If not a cricketer and musician, what would you have been?
I honestly have no clue. Cricket has been a part of my life since I was five years old and the only other thing I am passionate about is music, and I’m doing that now. Without cricket, there is no Dwayne Bravo.
What next?
Champion has been a success and I will continue to push it. I look forward to perform in different countries but mostly at home, in Trinidad and Tobago.
There is definitely a lot more to come with my music and entertainment but for now I look forward to enjoying the success of Champion and seeing just how far it can go.
We launched the #Champion Dance campaign on my Facebook and Twitter pages where I nominated some champions to do the dance. They have to nominate three others and so on. I can’t wait to see where that goes. (By Puja Gupta, New Delhi…printed in the Deccan Herald)
