By Lakhram Bhagirat
One thing that is constant in our lives is that there is always going to be change and in order to be able to cope with those changes, we must learn to step out of our comfort zone. When we step out of our comfort zone, we are challenged by unfamiliar things and that is the only way we will be able to see what we can do and realise our true potential.
For Steven Ramphal, stepping out of his comfort zone is the only way he can effectively change what is going on around him and it is something he is more than willing to do. Pushing the boundaries of his abilities is what makes him exceptionally different from those around him. Whether it works in his favour or not, is a question that will be
answered in time.
The 26-year-old is an exceptionally talented singer, but not only does he sing, he also has a passion for photography. He was so driven by that passion that he gave up music for some time and focused on developing his photography skills. He currently lives on the East Coast of Demerara and is considered one of the most energetic performers around.
This year, however, he is officially entering the Soca Monarch race to establish himself in that arena. At the age of
seven, Steven started singing and he later began to take music classes from his uncle. He continued singing for a number of years, but only officially entered the professional singing world when he was 19. With a distinctive voice, he quickly became a favourite for those who saw him perform or listened to his music.
Eventually, he became the front man for the most popular local band, The Shakti Strings International Band and was given a recording deal with the Shakti Strings Studio as well. Cementing his place in the local music industry was a journey Steven thoroughly enjoyed. His first hit single was “Gyul Please Go” and since then, he has been blazing the Chutney scene.
In 2017, Steven placed his music aside and picked up his long-awaited dream of being a photographer. He took that
time to develop his skills and is now one of the recognised photographers on the local scene. For two years he has been out of the music industry, but it’s 2019 and he is back, returning with two massive singles all recorded in the Shakti Strings International Studio.
The two songs are his entries in the Chutney and Soca Monarch competitions as he hopes on being crowned the winner of both. The Soca track is called “Soca In Meh Vein” and the Chutney, “Rang Ke Bhare”.
“My inspiration behind the two songs is based on my strong vision for national unity, both Caribbean and country based. I want to let people know no matter what colour we are and wherever we’re from, it doesn’t matter, because, at the end of the day, we are all humans,” he said.
Steven said that this was just the beginning of great things to come and he could not wait to unleash his new music on the public. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
