In 2017, you had to be totally detached from Caribbean  entertainment not to have heard the feting anthem ‘Full Extreme’ by MX Prime which had crowds in a frenzy every time it played. So it was to no surprise that it won the Road March title in Trinidad that year. MX Prime who has also given us anthems like ‘Soca Train’, ‘Love Generation’ and ‘Fighter’ in the past had reached the pinnacle  of Soca music  with that song. 

Whether you call him ‘Magadan’, ‘Maximus Dan’ or ‘MX Prime’; Edghill Thomas continues to prove that change is inevitable and that you must always be willing to evolve.

To many true connoisseur of soca music, it is clear that MX Prime has always found a unique way to incorporate authentic calypso rhythms in his music. When asked his thoughts on soca artistes today experimenting with the Soca beat and incorporating other genres, he says that he has no problem with it, because both him and the Ultimate Rejects team have done so as well. Especially now that he is in music production and working in a variety of genres, he has experimented a lot with Soca and music in general.

MX Prime on set of  Calypso congas

When asked about his method of creating music, he explained:

“For example, while doing their 2017 Road March ‘Full Extreme’, they went back to the good old days when you would put on a record from Winston Bailey, Swallow, Kitchener and you would hear a particular vibe and the sound suited what the music was saying…that is how I write. So in building the beat the sound came and the rest was history.”

 He said that his intent is not so much to revive calypso, but to do what feels good to him. He believes that everyone’s music has an identity:

“so if we can tap into that old sound and bring back that vibe and energy, and the audience appreciates it- I think it’s a plus alongside with everything else whether Afro-beat or EDM (Electronic Dance Music)- I welcome all.”

MX Prime and the Ultimate Rejects

Most Soca enthusiasts expected that 2018 would have been as successful or even more so as 2017 was for Mx Prime and Ultimate rejects. When asked his thoughts on this, he explained:

“Well in the entertainment industry one has to manage their expectations. In 2017, we had a phenomenal year because we just did music and the people enjoyed the songs, one in particular over the top. And the following year, eyes were particularly on us to deliver and we came with some beautiful tracks- ‘Lightning Flash’ and ‘Inside the festival’ and we did receive phenomenal support from the DJs.”

And lastly, when asked what’s next on the agenda musically and what he has in store for us in the near future; he said:

“In 2019, the team is focused on working with new talent and trying to bring out much more singles during the year.”

“On a more personal level, I am just trying to become a better artiste every single day. I flip my laptop everyday with the intent to create, even if I don’t create the intent is there to get better. Music production is something that I am intrigued by so I am going to focus much more on that in 2019”.

Ultimate Rejects, Swappi & Nailah Blackman

In closing he says that he is thankful for the support of his fans, their constructive criticism, and their kind words. Also for giving him and the Ultimate Rejects that lift every time they came out to perform, because without the fans it wouldn’t be possible- so stay tuned and keep listening.

We at CEH will like to wish this Carenage native of Trinidad continued success and progress.

1. FULL EXTREME MX Prime 0:45

2. One on One Project ft. MX Prime & Nailah Blackman, Swwapi, Azaryah Ultimate Rejects 0:47

3. Inside The Festival Ultimate Rejects 0:40

4. Lightning Flash Ultimate Rejects 0:45

5. For The People Ultimate Rejects 0:45

6. Soca Train Maximus Dan 0:45

Sources includes:

Interview with Soca Artiste- MX Prime (Ultimate Rejects)

Hashtags: #MaximusDan #MXprime #UltimateRejects #RoadMarch2017 #Winner #Socamusic #Carnival2019 #TrinidadandTobago