Adrian Dutchin

The name Adrian Dutchin is synonymous with soca in Guyana. In February, for the second consecutive year he was crowned Carib Soca Monarch and has been on a high since. Adrian was also crowned the Mashramani 'Road March King' for his song "One", the same song that won him the crown in the soca competition. And just a week ago, Adrian released the music video for "One".

But Adrian is more than just a soca king. He is a true entertainer and songwriter and at the young age of 24, has already made a name for himself not only in the local arena but overseas as well.

Several years ago, Adrian Dutchin entered the local music scene as part of 'Seven'. Remember them? A group of school-aged boys belting out a song called "Promises" with Adrian, maybe just around 15 years old, as the lead singer. They sang other songs but it was "Promises" that made them popular.

But as they say all good things must come to an end and the group disintegrated after the members decided they wanted different things in life.

Adrian said that from a young age he always knew what he wanted to do: sing and entertain. He said he continued to study but also focused on his singing career and his parents had no problem with this.

One former group member, Delroy Dash, collaborated with Adrian in the singing of "GT Carnival". He and Delroy parted company soon after and it was at this point that he signed on to Kross Kolor Studios as a solo performer, although from time to time he sang with other artistes.
He has belted out tunes such as "All ah We are One" and "Cry of the Nation" and has sung with Oscar B from Byron Lee and the Dragonaires among others.

Things heated up when he and Jumo began to collaborate. One afternoon he was listening to Mark Walcott's melody for the song "Crazy" and Adrian said he loved it so much that immediately he started to add lyrics to the melody. Some ten minutes after that he and Jumo came up with the melody and the next day they recorded the song. "Crazy" is still very popular in Suriname even though things have cooled around it locally, and the song may become bigger as the singers are in discussion with VP records in England for it to become the recording company's summer song in England.

Bragging rights
Last year, Adrian entered the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Soca Monarch Competition, which was held in St Lucia and placed fifth. He said the experience was rewarding and he enjoyed performing in front of what was one of the largest audiences he has entertained to date.

Later last year, he and Jumo placed second in the Caribbean Soca Search held in Antigua, winning among other things, bragging rights of being the second best in the Caribbean in the area of soca.