CARLVIN Burnett, the Guyanese singer who took the music scene by storm in 2024 with his infectious hit, “Handy Man”, has come a long way since his humble beginnings.
The Berbician artiste first burst onto the local scene in 2009 during the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Jingle and Song Competition, where he earned the spotlight, though, like many great artistes, Carlvin’s journey began in the church, where he first honed his vocal skills.

“It was always church for me,” he recalled. “That was the only thing I knew, until I entered the competition, and everything just blossomed from there.”
Born into a family steeped in musical talent, Carlvin’s passion for music was almost instinctual, nurtured by the rhythms and melodies of his upbringing.

Recalling his rise to local fame, Carlvin remembers travelling from Berbice to Georgetown for the ‘jingles’ audition, eventually making it to the finals and finishing in second place.
“I remember them coming to Berbice; we did the auditions, and they told me I passed the rounds. Then, I got to Georgetown, and everything just kept going and going until I made it to the finals,” Carlvin reminisced.
It wasn’t until after the competition that Carlvin truly grasped the extent of his rising fame.

“That’s when I realised how well-known I had become,” he said. Fast forward to 2024, and the artiste is at the pinnacle of his career, winning the coveted Soca Monarch title with his breakout anthem, “Handy Man”. Written by Carlvin and Joel Browne, the song struck a chord with audiences, securing Carlvin’s place as one of the region’s most electrifying performers. The music video, directed by Sean Thompson and choreographed by Robert Wall, was a visual masterpiece, further cementing Carlvin’s growing influence.

Despite his success, Carlvin remains focused on what’s next. When asked about his plans for the upcoming Soca Monarch competition, Carlvin said, “I’m not sure. The reason why I’m saying that is because I did it already. I won. So, for me, there’s nothing else to prove in that area. I’d more so like to explore something different. I’d probably try Calypso or maybe the Dancehall Monarch. We’re still deciding; myself and my team, as to whether we’ll do it.”
In addition to his Soca accomplishments, Carlvin has been hard at work crafting new music. In 2023 and 2024, he released tracks like “Guide My Way”, “Broken”, “Never Had”, and “Survivor”, each showcasing his vocal prowess and versatility.

For 2025, Carlvin is already hitting the ground running, with fresh releases like “Reap What You Sow”, along with upcoming tracks such as “Diplomat”, a dancehall song, and “Party Like It’s Your Birthday”, another vibrant Soca tune. There’s also “R.I.P.”, which promises to be another crowd favourite. “There are more projects in the pipeline,” Carlvin teased, “and they will be dropping soon.”

As a testament to his growing influence, Carlvin is set to host his first major event, Overdue, on January 25, 2025, at Scotty’s Smoke House and Grill on the East Coast Demerara. “It’s going to be an unforgettable night,” he said with excitement. Tickets are available for $5,000, and Carlvin is encouraging all his fans to secure their spots early. “If you’re interested in attending, get your tickets and come out to support. You can reach out to me on any of my social media platforms: Facebook @Carlvin Burnett, Instagram @carlvin_burnett, or TikTok @officialcarlvinburnett. You can also message Chen Bo,

Selector Andre Entertainment, Joel Browne, or Marlon Jacobs (Freedom Boss) to get your tickets. We’re personally delivering them to you,” Carlvin added, ensuring that his fans will have every opportunity to be part of the celebration.
As the reigning Soca Monarch and a rising star on the Caribbean music scene, Carlvin Burnett is a name to watch in the years to come. His journey has just begun, and with his unwavering passion and talent, the best is yet to come.