…says singer, songwriter Romel France

SINGER and songwriter Romel France who goes by the stage name ‘Rxxdical,’ believes that it is definitely worth pursuing a career in the local entertainment industry if only Guyanese would give their own artistes 100 per cent support.

Many in the field have often expressed disappointment at how their fellow Guyanese would lend their support to regional and international artistes, but would not give the same to the local one.
But Romel doesn’t believe that this is too big a challenge to overcome. In fact, he has a great deal of confidence in himself and his fellow artistes.

“This new generation carries your music to a different level,” he told BUZZ this week, adding, “We are almost there; we just need some more support from Guyana and we are there. Guyana just needs to give us this 100 per cent support.”

Even as the country has many talented performers, Romel pointed out how the lack of certain things in place often affects the artistes negatively. “We have countries listening to our music and even stealing it but there’s nothing we can do,” he observed.

The entertainer, of Plantain Walk, West Coast Demerara (WCD), has been a big fan of music ever since he was four years old.
“My mom is an incredible singer, so listening to her and the music she played in the home contributed to my music style. I started doing ‘Dancehall’ till I was in Fourth Form and, [then decided] to write music at the age of 16,” he shared.

Romel spends most of his time writing songs and poetry, which he said comes easy for him. He is almost never at a loss for words when writing his lyrics, something he says comes from his love for reading.
And the story around why he developed such a love for reading is quite interesting. “My punishment used to be reading dictionaries and encyclopedias,” he recalled.

Furthermore, his mom would often put him to stand against a wall when he misbehaved and he thought to himself: “Why not read in the meantime?”
“I am a big fan of finding out new words. Up to now, I would read the dictionary. I did a whole lot of reading through punishment and that’s how I became a big fan of reading,” he laughed.

Romel said his music helps him feel unafraid of expressing every emotion and saying how he really feels. Although he loved being an R&B artiste, he had to adapt to other genres like Dancehall and Soca because he realised that that was what connected with the Caribbean audience more.

“In the times we’re living in, no one is interested in positive lyrics; people are into the ‘bruk out’ kind of music. So, you have to give them what they want.
“But I still release the positive ones in between,” he related. “I take my music very seriously. If I get a line wrong, we would go over and over until it’s right,” he added.

Romel, who sees himself being able to live his dream eventually, said: “I am too talented not to make it.” He enjoys working with local and international artistes, and deeply appreciates the help he receives from his producers Adrian Johnson and Jonathan Tailor.

“AJ guided me and contributed a lot to my career. He’s the best; he knows what he’s about and he knows this industry as [well as] the back of his hand. He always wants things to be perfect. He puts in the work. In the wee hours of the morning, he might be in the studio mixing someone’s song,” Romel shared about his producer.

His latest song called “Blu-Ray” on the ‘Bed Rock riddim’ by AJ Records was released last week. It features such artistes as Acidic and Naomi, Kurtlee, Jonathan Tailor, DanJahv, Azariel, Stiffy Stiff, ADDL, Gaddie G and Mud Water.