Music is life and the sky is the limit.
He is Chad Bowen, known by virtually everyone as Sir Ruel, a sweet-singing calypsonian from the House of Soca.
He credits the tent with shaping his musical prowess, and for that he expressed profound gratitude.
“I’ve reached the Pic O De Crop finals five times, and in 2024, I placed second with a selfpenned piece titled A Single Bullet, written in memory of my brother who lost his life to gun violence [last year],” Sir Ruel told the DAILY NATION from his home in Elephant and Castle, in South East London.
He vividly recalled when the phone rang and his cousin gave him the heart-wrenching news that his 32-year-old brother had been gunned down.
“My gran then confirmed it . . . I could hear her saying, ‘he is dead, he is dead, he is dead’. It was devastating. The feeling was awful . . . very, very painful and being so far away made it even more difficult.”
Conscious of the escalating gun violence, Sir Ruel said a concerted effort has to be made by those so quick to the draw to settle disputes differently.
Pointing to an angrier society, he suggested “talking it out or walking away, listening to music and approaching the situation in a calmer way”.
He deemed the taking of a life as selfish as the perpetrators are permanently destroying families.
Through all of his challenges, Sir Ruel said his go-to place of solace is always music.
“It has always been a natural part of who I am. I truly believe I was born with the gift,” he said.
He credits his mum with “encouraging and pushing” him in that direction because she knew it came naturally for him.
He has had the privilege of performing with the Barbados Police Service Band and the Festival Band, memories he cherishes.
His journey began with him using his sister’s skipping rope as a microphone and toilet-paper rolls as musical instruments.
At Christmas, while his brothers asked for video games, he requested musical instruments.
“As a family, we watched the Pic O De Crop calypso finals every year, and I remember saying that one day I wanted to be on that same stage with Red Plastic Bag and Mighty Gabby.”
In 2004, his mother signed him and his brother up for performing arts camp with the National Cultural Foundation. It was there he found the inspiration to enter NIFCA and the Junior Calypso Monarch Competition.
At age 14, he sang a song titled Go Light Your World, for which he was awarded a silver medal and the opportunity to perform at the gala.
“That performance was my major debut to the people of Barbados, and it was the moment I truly began making a name for myself.”
Five years later, Sir Ruel won the Junior Calypso Monarch crown, and for him it was a dream come true, especially having the opportunity to work with his idol, Red Plastic Bag.
“It was an outstanding moment in my career, he himself shed a tear when I became victorious in one of the biggest wins in that competition.”
The following year, the artiste created history by becoming the first Junior Monarch to advance to the Pic O De Crop calypso monarch finals, where he placed fourth, surpassing many seasoned performers, including former kings.
Throughout his 21 years as a professional musician, he has noted the growth of the music industry, generating more opportunities for young artists.
However, if there is one sour note for Sir Ruel, it is the feeling of being under-rated and not receiving enough opportunities to perform.
“Sometimes, I haven’t been paid what I believe I’m worth as a well-established artiste. It can be difficult to see people with less talent receive recognition and opportunities. I’m not saying I’m unhappy for them, but it can definitely affect how you feel,” he lamented.
Currently, the artiste is focusing on travelling and rebranding.
With the festive season in the air, Sir Ruel said: “ Christmas holds very special memories for me. Not having my brother, auntie, and granny around brings a sense of sadness, but it also reminds me to be grateful for the loved ones who are still here and the joy we continue to share.” (JB)
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