The name Marlon Webster, aka Malo, is forever etched in the annals of Guyana’s music history as the 2007 Soca monarch who copped the title with “Give me it”. If all goes well more titles may be added in time to come.
His is one of the many popular names missing from the 2010 competition by choice but he says that he has not ruled out eventually re-entering the competition.
The 24-year-old bachelor, who hails from Sophia, returned home after his third tour of duty as a lead singer with the Caribbean Princess Cruise line “The Elements Band” and is already in the thick of Guyana’s entertainment happenings.
On February 27 and February 28 he will maintain the Mash hype in the Wild Fire Camp when they stage Konshens in Koncert in Berbice and Linden. Back in Guyana just about a week now Malo has already hit the Brutal tracks studios and with the ace producer/ arranger, Darrel Pugsley, and has recorded two singles.
On Tuesday last Malo released a Soca single titled “A feel like’ and as soon as the Soca season is over he will be releasing an RNB pop that tells the ladies ‘You are mine’.
“The Soca song basically encourages all to have a good time while the RNB is dedicated to the ladies from a man’s point of view,” he said. A video will also be released with the latter.
Three fulfilling Stints on the cruise line
The youth who struggled to make ends meet as a singer locally never imagined that he would have been on a leisure ship; let alone; singing for people, including celebrities, drawn from almost every corner of the earth. But he has and is grateful that he got the opportunity.
By April this year he might be back on ship entertaining across the Caribbean seas, in the USA and Canada as he has done during his previous three stints on board the Caribbean Princess. “The last three experiences were fulfilling.”
Talking about ship life, he said, “While I’m known in Guyana for Soca I’m versatile in my delivery on ship because I have to sing music from every genre, including country. And the patrons are very appreciative”.
As the lead singer in the band he says the job can be tedious having to entertain on an average of four shows daily from Sunday to Sunday but he gets satisfaction from seeing the leisure seekers enjoying themselves.
The soft spoken, humble singer said that as result of singing he has had many proposals from passengers for marriage et al but does not mix business with pleasure.
On a more serious note he has received job proposals and is weighing options to sing in Las Vegas and or on Broadway.
His prior stint that lasted for six months took him to places as far as Australia and he recalled that this was made possible through linkages with Guyanese Guitarist, Colwyn Michael, who plays guitar on another of the Caribbean Princess cruise line ships.
But even with the many opportunities he is enjoying, Malo categorically said, “I’m not done with recording in or representing for Guyana.”
Malo has released 22 songs to date in Guyana and is popular for hits such as ‘You girl’, ‘Jukie Jam’, ‘Wine Baby wine’ and ‘One big family.’
Of his career thus far, Malo said, “I never thought of getting a job on a cruise ship but I’ve learnt that if you want something bad enough and you develop yourself while delivering at your best always, and you remain committed to your dreams the sky is the limit”.
By Mondale Smith