Artist description toko irie a steeldrum musician from grenada is currently living in key west florida.he plays instrumental steeldrum,reggae and calypso music for weddings, and private parties. he now plays at the conch republic seafood company every sunday from 6pm to 10pm which, in my opinion, is a show you've got to see...so if you are coming to key west, definitely check out what i call a stunning musician with a great gift... ...

Music Style steel drums, reggae, zouk, calypso

Musical Influences lucky dube, peter tosh

Similar Artists gregory isaacs, peter tosh

Artist History toko irie, born melvin newton, grew up on a small island called carriacou, grenada. he is a gifted musician who came about his talent all on his own, virtually unknown to himself how he even came about the knowledge he has accumulated because it is so natural. he plays a variety of different instruments, the guitar, and of course the steeldrum he used to play a drumkit for a steeldrum band, and at the age of 19, he was in charge of a 40 piece steeldrum band that used to play on cruiseships when they were in port. he also beat african drums in a 3 piece group that drummed for the famed winston fleary big drum dancer. as a small child he fashioned drums out of powdered milk tins, each tuned to a different note and setting up to 2 octaves of tins, he would go under his house and play for hours until he trained his brother edwin and cousin bucket to play. they played as a group together for fun. one day they were tricked into bringing their pan cups(as they are called) to school by some boys who told them that there was a competition at school, but when they found out it was a lie, they still brought out their instruments and were playing a song when the morning bell rang. they didn't hear a thing, and when they finished the song the whole school had surrounded them...the principal came out of the school and he was so impressed that he called an assembly and asked them to play the grenada national anthem for the whole grammar school. he and his friends also made 3-stringed guitars out of wood and fishing line. all the young children of the village would gather around and sing island folk music called extempo where two people sing back and forth to a rhythmn in rhyme trying to make fun of each other. it is so popular that every december the whole island comes together for the annual extempo competition. this experience is what later developed into toasting or "chatting" as some people call it which melvin and his friends as teenagers would spend alot of time doing. you will be able to hear some of it on his forthcoming reggae cd. then he entered his first calypso competition at age 19. he composed his own song and sang on stage for the first time. he placed second and the following year he placed second also. and he is now based in key west, living there for the last eight years, he makes a living playing the steeldrum but his passion lies in the creation of music and roots rock reggae...dis bwoy ya no ramp you'nuh...and faster music called soca, leaning toward a more "bajan" style...he now has his own studio where he creates everything himself. hopefully you've enjoyed his first released instrumental steeldrum cd... so check back often because he is currently working on his reggae cd and it is soooo nice you've got to hear it...one love to you all

Instruments steel drums, guitar, drums, african drums

Albums its all about you

Location key west, florida - USA

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