Calypso
Music, chutney soca, parang soca and pop songs. Sharlene
Boodram has done it all. Sharlene who burst on the scene
at eight years old, has practically grown up in the public's
eye.
The young came into recognition when she placed second
at her school's calypso competition.
Bitten by the calypso bug, she joined Kitchener's calypso
tent in 1989. One of Sharlene's biggest performance after
she debuted was at the Kriss Kross concert when she performed
the anti-drug song "One Dope" for thousands of adolescents
and adults at the stadium. Sharlene was booed at and despite
humilation from the crowd, she performed her song to the
very end before leaving the stage. Some performances at
major tents later, Sharlene's perseverance in the artform
was recognised.
The awards followed. In 1992 she received the Caribbean
Music Award at the Apollo Theatre in New York for her
hit single "Ah Love meh Nannie" from her first CD "New
Kid In Town". Upon its release in Trinidad, the single
was banned by radio jocks and program directors who cited
that it was vulgar.
Sharlene continued her winning ways in October 93 when
she was given a Sunshine Award for Best New Female Vocalist
with her single "Party Friend". In 1994, Sharlene married
chutney and dub music to create the lissome beats in "Chutney
Time". Her work in the chutney arena was so impressive,
that she was nominated for Best Female Artist (Indo-Caribbean).
In 1997, Sharlene was signed to Sony records and her remake
of Vanessa Paradis' "Joe Le Taxi" was a big hit both her
and abroad.
