Honoring Soca Mothers

Written by: Nekisha Cyrus

As popular saying goes, behind every great man is a great woman and many times that ‘great woman’ is a mother. With Mother’s Day celebrations upon us, we would like to celebrate two mothers who are responsible for two of this generation talented soca superstars. Though you may not be familiar with their names yet, we know that you are definitely familiar with their sons.

First up, we have the beautiful Ruthlyn Dickson Boxill (photo above), the mother of Nesta Boxill, who most of you may know as Trinidadian Soca artiste ‘Sekon Sta’.

When asked a series of questions about raising this talented superstar, this is what she had to share:

At what age did you notice your son was talented? It was around 5 years old. Nesta always loved singing and wanted to sing. When he was younger he would always ask his father, the late great Calypsonian ‘Merchant’ to write a song for him. In which his father would reply, ‘when I die how you would learn to write for yourself’; and encouraged him to start writing his own songs.

 What role did you play in the development of your son becoming a successful soca artiste? Nurturing his talent, sending him to vocal training, investing in his music- recording, dancers and carrying him to his shows and performances.

What are some of the challenges you faced being the mother of a young soca star? No challenges directly, however there can be favoritism in the industry and I would rather they be more real and honest with the younger artiste and also show them support.

 

 

Sekon Sta and his motherSekon Sta and his mother Ruthlyn Boxill

What has been one of your proudest moment of him to date? Outside of his musical accomplishments. As a mother, I am very proud of the way that he carries himself. Anywhere he goes other artistes are always commenting on how mannerly and respectable he is.

Any similarities between Sekon Sta and his Dad? Yes, the way that he eats…lol. And he is also a very talented songwriter. You can’t say anything around him, because he will turn it into a song. Although he is not in his father’s lane yet, but he is definitely getting there.

What advice would you give other mothers about supporting their kid’s talents and dreams? You have to be there for them, support them, cheer them on and reward them. For example, I used to bargain with Sekon Sta, if he wanted something he knew he had to work hard and do well in school then he would get what he wanted. You also have to discipline them whenever they need it. Discipline is the first thing to take you anywhere in life.

What would you like to see him accomplish in the next 5 years as a successful artiste? I would like to see his music reach a higher height and that he is given the respect that he deserves.

 

Next we chat with the beautiful Lydia Duncan, the mother of the young Trinidadian soca star Aaron Duncan and this is what she had to share.

 

Lydia Duncan, mother of Aaron Duncan

At what age did you notice your son was talented? At the tender age of 2 years old.

What role did you play in the development of your son becoming a successful soca artiste? Nurturing his talent, by making sure he did voice training, that he gets quality music, he is always well dressed and talking to him about the business and pleasing his fans.

 What are some of the challenges you faced being the mother of a young soca star? My main challenge, is to ensure that he is balanced with his school work, because education is very important.

What has been one of your proudest moment of him to date? When he was 6 years old while performing in Toronto and people started throwing money at him, He called out to me and said, ‘Mummy, come I need help’. That was amazing and it really touched me.

Lydia Duncan with son Aaron Duncan

 What advice would you give other mothers about supporting their kid’s talents and dreams? I will advise them to not force their children to do things that they don’t like instead push them in the direction of what they love and invest in them. They will reap the rewards later on in life.

What would you like to see him accomplish in the next 5 years as a successful artiste? I will like to see him open his own production studio, producing and writing his music. Traveling more, performing and touching the hearts of many all over the world.

We at Caribbean Entertainment Hub will like to take this opportunity to say a very special ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ to our two featured mothers and all mothers who make up the Caribbean music fraternity, behind the scenes grooming the talent of this generation and generations still to come.

 

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Hashtags:

#MothersDay Socamom #Socaartiste #Sekonsta #AaronDuncan #Socamusic #TrinidadandTobago

 

 

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