Trinidad Soca sensation Denise Belfon last performed at the Avalanche in Guyana four years ago but has been vacationing here as she says “on numerous occasions”.
The proud full-figured mother of four says from firsthand experience, she loves the Guyanese hospitality and while some cause stereotyping of the country through negative actions, she still admires the determination of Guyanese and says, “Guyanese people are hard workers and are willing to make sacrifices.” Expanding she said “given that Trinidad is becoming like the New York of the Caribbean I see Guyana as a natural heaven where the indigenous culture is still evident.”
To her, seeing a horse drawn cart on the road is a classic, as is seeing a father ferrying his children to school on a bicycle. She’s outspoken on issues that put full-figured women in a bad light and is not opposed to instilling values in children as she does to her three daughters and one son.
She began her birthday celebrations on Monday November 23 in the Twin Island Republic and will continue tonight at the Friends.com Expressions party, Duke Lodge as a guest performer.
She is currently vacationing in Guyana with friends and performed at the Duke Lodge as part of her birthday celebrations with friends on Friday night where despite some technical difficulty she proved that she’s worth every bit of the title of being ‘saucy wow.’
Singing professionally since age 19, she is working feverishly to complete her first full fledge album for release by June of 2010. It will feature two of her three daughters Cassandra and Isabella as well as collaborations with Sizzla, Maka Diamond, Ghetto Flex and 10-year-old budding artiste Zebbie. “I like to deal with youths to encourage them along a positive road. She says she will be continuing her yearly drive of reaching out to the less fortunate children of Trinidad as part of her birthday celebrations.
From age seven she said she knew she wanted to be star and was always involved in everything to do with the arts.
As long as she is alive, she assures fans that she will be singing to make lives merrier and worthwhile living. Belfon came to prominence as an artiste with hits such as Kaka lay lay, De’ Jammette, Indian man, Garage, Lohtelah, Bicycle Wine, Hard Wuk and Saucy Baby as well as Panic. To budding artistes and full figured women she said, “Believe in you and love you, and people will see that you are a positive person and it will radiate in your interest”.
Using her self as an example she said, as a mother, I love all of my children and I’m proud of them but I do not spoil them and they respect me for that. I don’t spare the rod and I’m a sticker for education.”
To aspiring artistes she advises that “You need to believe in you, do you and remain determined, developing yourself as is necessary and eventually if it’s God’s will you will succeed in the fullness of time.” She also advised that “even though God has blessed you with talent you will sometimes stumble but that should not deter you. However God has a way of getting your attention especially when you get too caught up in what you need as opposed to what you are seeking after.”
Especially for full-figured woman she said “fat is unhealthy if you let it be that way. We can’t all be like the skinny girl next door, so eat healthy, dress appropriately and carry yourself with respect, caring your body and being full-figured wouldn’t be an unhealthy look.”
“Don’t give up on yourself, you are the size you are for a purpose. Not every one can be the same size I believe that I am special and you should know that you are too.”
By – Mondale Smith