Irvin Blackman - Blackie

Music Achievements

Born in his native land of Trinidad and Tobago in 1953 the 6 foot 3 inches tall multi-dynamic talented, calypsonian Irvin Blackman, otherwise known as "Blackie" has been in the scene of composing and singing calypso, Soca, and pan music since 1983. Blackie has successfully flourished this field of music since 1991 as he began competing in the in-service calypso competition and won the crown for the first two years in Trinidad and Tobago. He also participated in the pan song competitions on four occasions and earned second and third place titles twice. This was just a taste of what was to become of Blackie, as he also released his first recorded composition in 1991 called "Form a line and Wine" which became a big hit and also his most favorite song he ever record.

Over the past years Blackie's success has exploded as he made it to four Soca monarch finals and came third in the "Groovy Soca Monarch" finals.

In 1993, 1995, and 1997 "Blackie" was nominated for the Soca monarch competition and with no hesitation achieved the rank of one of the Soca finalist each time.

In 1999 "Blackie" entered the "Pan Kaiso" competition and won second place. That same year he captured the first place title of "Pan Road March" with the composition "Ting Tang Song" which was also voted the most played song at the Panorama competition, so popular that it was played 27 times by various steel bands.

At the start of the millennium year 2000 "Blackie" made a debut appearance at the "Calypso Revue Tent" in Trinidad and ranked third in the Panorama competition with the composition "Tenor Fever" which played 18 times by various steel bands. Then when 2004 hit he also placed second with the composition "Pan in meh blood".

2005 was quite a successful year for "Blackie" as he competed at the "Spectakula Calypso Tent" in Trinidad with his mega hit "Ah Hook", which led him to tour internationally. "Ah Hook" nominated him in the category of Soca Humor at the "2005 International Soca Awards" and won him the title held in the month of mid October. Remixes has already been done with permission on this song locally in Trinidad and abroad in Canada from "DJ Kutlass" of KRB Productions®. www.djkutlass.com

"Ah Hook" which was composed since Carnival Tuesday 2004, was arranged by Junior "Ibo" Joseph 2 months later in his San Fernando studio in Trinidad and tells the hilarious story of a lovesick man who would do just about anything for his woman with no care of what anyone else thinks of him, even if this means washing panties and hanging them on the line. Lovesick man quotes, "Dat is not dey business".

The mega hit (If Ah Hook (houk), I is Ah Mook (mouk) with the distinctive "up the island" accent has many people questioning where "Blackie" in really from. This full-blooded Trini deliberately composed this song to capture the attention of the rest of the Soca loving Caribbean people as he states, "We wanted to include everybody".

Career Achievements

"Blackie" was a former member of the Trinidad and Tobago coast guard for 26 years and retired in the year 2001 with the attained rank of Chief Petty Officer. Presently he is employed with the Ministry of National Security youth programs.

Education

"Blackie" has excelled in the academic field and holds a Masters Degree in Management. He is also a part-time lecturer in his field.

www.irvinblackman.com