Dennison -Dice -Joseph is perhaps the most magnetic artist to come out of Waitukubuli’s substantial crew of talented ones for the last 20 years. I say this with some authority, as I was the manager, solo guitarist, and producer of the Gaylords Power Union and in particular songwriter for Greg Breaker who to me is the biggest and best stage performer ever to be seen on a stage anywhere. Breaker could wow a crowd merely by standing still on stage in his bold costumes before he even opened his mouth to sing and though Dice is not yet at that level he certainly has the potential to get there. However, Breaker did not come close to winning 7 crowns but Dice has and his consistency as a performer in the calypso field is just the beginning of how far he can reach once he has the means to help find his way. Dice therefore is a celebrity who should like Trinidad’s Sparrow be the topic of UWI discussions, school essays, and generally respected and admired as a Waitukubuli icon. Someone like Dice should not be told how or what to sing rather he is expected to behave in a manner that befits his formidable rise. Make no mistake about it though the incredible writing skills of Pat Aaron provide and supply him with the songs yet those very same songs could sound absolutely unexciting if performed by another. Its the singer not just the song. An artist such as Dice should not be asked to sing other calypsonians’ songs except as part of his own preference and his own choice. He should be placed in the spotlight and given a show within the show at prime time to be himself and show himself to the world at every possible opportunity as the best and pride of our land.
On a 70’s Gaylords Power Union tour of the islands we stopped in Montserrat for a one night show and I was asked to allow that island’s favourite calypsonian The Mighty Arrow to sing accompanied by our band and my reply was the same that I had given every other artist since we had worked a tour a couple years before accompanying and opening for Jimmy Cliff and it was this, “No, whenever the GPU gets on any stage anywhere now and in the future the spotlight must be on them and them alone.” The principle that I held was what helped to make the GPU the foremost show band in the region at that time. However, none of that was possible if the members of the band were not fully behind my position -the power of one.
When Dice was asked to be a part of the WCMF without having his own one hour presentation including his stage properties, chorus section and full band a la the Calypso Monarch night and further that he should sing calypsoes listed for him which were other singers songs then he should have said exactly what I told the Arrow handlers-no and the Calypso Association should have stood with him and the others. Regardless of the money, he should have said a resounding, ‘not me, roll de dice and see. ‘
However, on the other hand it was an insult that begs for an apology for the organisers to treat the best we have on the night of the WCMF the way they did. That the monarch of calypso should not be allowed to sing his current winning songs but to be part of something manipulated to avoid his lyrics in particular, should have brought a howl of protest from the Calypso Association. It is time that the artistes make the people who use their services have respect for them. World talent is not taking it anymore, not in cricket, in other sports, in music. Too much good talent has grown like a rose in the desert only to fade away under its blistering sun heat. Every election cycle I am forced to write this same thing that politicians use the musicians and singers to bring big crowds to their campaign rallies but on their manifesto booklets nary a mention of any plans for their welfare and advancement. “What is there in it for the soul of Waitukubuli?” If the DCA and Dice had taken a stand and publicly called on the support of the multitude of fans the organisers would have to back down. It is time for our talented artistes to change their fawning attitudes, stop fighting each other because the enemy is out there and waiting to pounce on their weaknesses two of which are the need for cash and the opportunity to be on the big stage.
Dice in particular must insist on respect, and the DCA must demand that the monarch is given the same that is specified or more to the Carnival Queen, which in itself depends on who wins the Queen crown. Gospel singer Reverend James Cleveland sings, “Give me my flowers while I yet live so that I can see the beauty that they bring”. Flowers on graves quickly die and the flowery speeches are soon forgotten but what lives on immortally is your legacy. Dice is one of our land’s greatest talents so honour him. If he was from a well renowned family we would wouldn’t we? Notwithstanding he comes from us, our collective spirit, the product of we the ordinary people, our boy, our signature on world calypso music, our enduring and perennial monarch, the King Dice.
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Hello and good evening my people. Well this is a very informative article and all I have to say is that. Dice is a very talented son of our soil and anytime he’s performing in New York City I will go and see him and support him.
Who is Denis joseph to be supportive of Dice , he only commented because Dice did not choose to sing “change” so the dear Denis Joseph used this moment to express his regret not as a supporter of Dice, because Dice has been a great calypsonian for the past eight or more years and Denis Joseph has never written any commentaries about him. Why today? Let a supporter and follower of Dice like me utter such words. Can Denis Joseph recite any of Dice songs or even one of the choruses word for word? Stop using other people,s fame and name to create and demonstrate the mal function and dismay of politics and UWP poor governance. king Dice forever! Peace!!!
Medaydar I am shaking your big toe who is Dennis Joseph to talk when he dose it is always undermining
Denis thank God for you. when you write like this it brings back Nostalgia.
Denis boy, you are correct, that boy Greg Barnis (Breaker) is someone I would use a phrase such as the late Isaac Hanes used when he sang on the Album Shaft; where he said John Shaft: ” he’s a bad mother …… shut you mouth! ” Well, I would like to describe Greg as that type of entertainer.
The man was wicked on the stage, sang as a professional entertainer, but where his singing talent bust through was in the song he sang “Unforgettable Susan ” of which a line of song said I’ll take you to and island.
You know that became one of my line when I lived in Europe, and score with woman like hell using that line.
Hahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
The man could sing, and as I told you before I know all of you, guys I first met Greg while working at J. Astaphan’s & Co, I worked there for a brief period on my return to Dominica in 1964, was employed there also. I think you also who could rip a bad guitar too.
I still have the first LP you guys recorded, there is a song on that LP people used to wreak havoc in my late grand mother s life: remember that one “Ma John lava?” I think in English the song said; Ma John let go my husband outside, you know I am not a patios boy, the kid is from Wesley. Nevertheless, my grandmother thought the song was about her, until I told her how can the song be about you when the write of the song does not know. In spite the fact it was sang in patios, it was very cache. You know Castle (Arrow) is dead. He had a bout with cancer.
If Greg is still residing in England, I hope he is fine and doing well, I you are around, only aged a bit, but in we all will continue to age as long as we are breathing oxygen.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Francisco – you should google “Greg Bannis” and see how well he is doing in England. He was the former lead singer of the famous “Hot Chocolate’. I believe he goes by the name of Billy Brown. You need to check him out on You tube. Very impressive!
I have to agree with “just observing” the dice has talent but he is tainted by this political song driven by the writers that is not leading him to develop his talent , dice should demand song that would elevate him to take the Caribbean stage by storm, dice also needs to clean up his act and be a better role model like the queen Constance have to do in order to gain the respect he is looking for ,7 times king but still no respect because respect is earned not gained.
So what did he sing at the show? Dennis I must say you have me looking for more of the article….What did he sing at the show? Whose songs did he sing? Are you saying that someone dictated through the WCF what the King Dice could sing? Please explain!
A black man is never appreciated in his home land and that is a fact.
“Greg Breaker who to me is the biggest and best stage performer ever to be seen on a stage ANYWHERE”. Dennis Joseph must be losing the little of his mind that is left . Another so called intelligent one in Dominica writing even more GARBAGE.
Food for thought Dice….i see u can go places………its never too late to change your attitude young man…
Dice’s attitude is what has allowed him to win 7 crowns. It is because of him knowing who he is and not adhering to who you want him to be. One thing i like about Dice is that he doesnt waste time with a lot of critics. Many people do not know but like Machel Montano, Dice has been entertaining since he was very young. From long before he won junior monarch in SMA to Klockerz Crew in the late 90’s and early 2000’s to WCK and now holding the record for the most crowned Calypso King. This young man is barely 30 yrs of age. He loves his fans, but i doubt their negativity and opinions on how to live his life still no not matter matter much to the man if i know him well.
Good and true article.Nothing else to say
Dice need to step out from the political songs and forge a new road for himself, one that will make him an international star, one that will enable him to control the financial purse and to share it if he wants to, Pat is sucking all Dice talent, when Dice cannot sing again, he Pat will move on to another stooge, i love Dice but he needs a variety of songs to make it in the musical industry.
plawey i think that this comment is very rude and out of place
“Dice in particular must insist on respect, and the DCA must demand that the monarch is given the same that is specified or more to the Carnival Queen, which in itself depends on who wins the Queen crown.” Let us remember that “to free us from the expectations of others, to give us back to ourselves – there lies the great, singular power of self-respect”. -JD. Dice needs to show some restraints and recognize that you can’t insist on respect, you must earn it. While no one can argue that he is a talented young man, while it is important to get respect for what we do, at the same time we have to give it. I admire that young man’s talent, but he needs to realize that with great power (which he has in his voice and performances), comes great responsibility. My advise to the ‘King Dice’, “You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of”. JR. The price of greatness is responsibility. Be responsible when you represent Dominica/Waitikubuli. Do not let your legacy be, “A great calypsonian, performer and entertainer with no self respect or discipline.
One Love Dominicans!!!
Well said. I totally agree with you. From the crown of his head to the soul of his feet, he must look the part of a “gentleman”. for the young people. Not pant falling down on you and earings all over the body.
I hope Dice get this message. Amen.
Tidel,…..I am amazed and shocked by your comments and question. I am a professional, travelled and worked the world, lived outside Dominican, followed Dice on his tours to USA, UK, Caribbean and Dice , yes is a role model to my children. We even met once in New York shopping, very humble and accommodating and full of life.
I am not sure you are aware of what Dennis is saying in his brilliant written well received article but you ought to read – like Dice would sing….”again and again and again…” and get the morale of the story and message.,
My question is, ” How dare you ask such a …………question?”. Your question sounds very personal and discriminatory and its really unfortunate that you did not see the bigger picture.
That is why I pray hard for a CHANGE in Dominica…
Like Dice sings…..”Its inevitable….CHANGE IS MUST…” AND PLEASE TIDEL, LISTEN THE LYRICS, FOLLOW THE LYRICS….
THANKS DENNIS….THANKS MUCH….
THANKS DICE …THANKS MUCH FOR YOUR TALENT.
DICE is a role model for your children??????? LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL………………
Dice sang it but it was pat aaron thoughts
As usual clowning again. Sheep in wool clothing, Spewing the UWP manifesto. On a daily basis you were calling for debate and election date; now it is there you winee winning. Dice had the option to reject the invitation. The man choose his country first that’s the respect he gave. Why are you people so blind sided. Let us work towards national unity. DLP will kill the UWP with endless LOVE, LOVE LOVE
it’s “Sheep in Wolf’s clothing”, not Sheep in Wool’s clothing. Off course a sheep is going to be in wool.
Great piece again,but the biggest problem in dominica our poor and uneducated even the educated ones who do no carry a big name still has the slave master mentality,its not there fault,there grandparents thought them that these big names are masters,Dice comes from a poor family,god has brought him great talent,unless our poor people dont get this slave mentality out of there heads dominca will continue to walk the path of destruction.From a young man growing up away from dominica i have studied these land and business owners,They are all about oppressing the poor while the get richer.Look @ the Astaphans and the Nassief came from the middle east and stold all our ancestors land,but generations come and go and there demise will come.Long LIVE KING DICE,YOUR BLESSED MY BROTHER.
Good piece, food for the soul.
Mr. Dennis, Would you like your children to have a role model like dice?……….you know better……do your homework.
Tidel,…..I am amazed and shocked by your comments and question. I am a professional, travelled and worked the world, lived outside Dominican, followed Dice on his tours to USA, UK, Caribbean and Dice , yes is a role model to my children. We even met once in New York shopping, very humble and accommodating and full of life.
I am not sure you are aware of what Dennis is saying in his brilliant written well received article but you ought to read – like Dice would sing….”again and again and again…” and get the morale of the story and message.,
My question is, ” How dare you ask such a …………question?”. Your question sounds very personal and discriminatory and its really unfortunate that you did not see the bigger picture.
That is why I pray hard for a CHANGE in Dominica…
Like Dice sings…..”Its inevitable….CHANGE IS MUST…” AND PLEASE TIDEL, LISTEN THE LYRICS, FOLLOW THE LYRICS….
THANKS DENNIS….THANKS MUCH….
THANKS DICE …THANKS MUCH FOR YOUR TALENT.
I absolutely agree with you.
@ Tidel you don’t know anything about Dice.
Hi Dennis! Could you do a comprehensive historical piece on the Gaylords Power Union ? From the genesis to the rise in prominence, the challenges, successes, complexities, affiliates in the musical world, tours.
Sadly our generation is not fully apprised of the phenomenon that was Gaylords. I am only now discovering here in Barbados how popular they were in the region. I know a few songs including “Lovely Dominica” and one of my favorite “Pray for the Blackman” although I do not know all the lyrics.
While I dare not be presumptuous in telling you what to write, I am suggesting that you help all of us, including our musicians to understand the nature of projecting our culture, values and history in the way that the great bands did it in the cultural renaissance years of the 1960s & 1970s.
I try to envisage what it would possibly have been like (positive or adverse) for Gaylords, Grammax, Exile One, Midnight Groovers & others if the Internet age had started in their time.
I really hope you do write that comprehensive historical piece on the Gaylords Power Union.
Mr. Dennis, get real!! Dice can win 20 crowns……he will NEVER be respected. Food for thought.
there’s a saying about great men not be respected in their own lands. Typical.
“Dice therefore is a celebrity who should like Trinidad’s Sparrow be the topic of UWI discussions, school essays….” These are the so called intelligent people in Dominica writing total GARBAGE.
Dice undoubtedly has an exceptional talent. He is certainly the best among what we have today in Dominica. To win 7 crowns in Dominica is by no means an easy task. It took a lot of hard and dedicated work.
But Dice has a great difficulty. His repertoire of topics is unlike what “De Picky” for example has. Dice sings what is given to him by an ace calypso writer albeit with a partisan political axe to grind. So Dice is supremely popular among those who support the partisan view of that writer. Of course he also has other support. But the majority of his support at any public activity would come from those who share the song writer’s view.
But Dice also has an even bigger problem. Outside the shores of Dominica and the diaspora, Dice is not known, even with his excellent show of achievements. He is just not known outside the narrow confines of Dominica and the diaspora. This is so simply because his repertoire of topics as given to him by his handlers does not transcend anywhere besides the socio-economic issues confronting Dominica. here in lies his problem. Save for very few of his songs over the years, the vast majority are only sung at carnival time, at political rallies for general or bye-elections campaign. You will not go to St. Lucia, Trinidad, Antigua etc. and find a Dice album that the public will go mad for. Compare Dice’s name and other regionally known artists. I am aware that through LIME’s Dominica partnership arrangement with other LIME business across the region, the Dice has performed in some regional concerts e.g in St. Vincent. Has that solo performance, been transferred into other “non LIME” organized gigs? has any promoter of substance other than the Aaron brothers in Dominica been wooed by the Dice to even attempt take him on a regional tour? After all he is he seven times winner (King Dice) in Dominica. Has any other Dominican promoter seen the value in Dice’s repertoire to warrant they investing in him? The evidence to suggest that anyone is seriously looking at Dice outside the carnival season is simply non-existent. And it is not because the Dice is not full of talent. He is extremely talented on stage. It is not him rather it is his handlers who see “dollars” in him on the local political stage. I wonder how many CD’s are being sold here outside the carnival or political season. Dice deserves better than that. Perhaps, just perhaps he should begin to demand more (greater variety in song) from his handlers. Fitzroy Williams tried something with him in the area of cadence music. There is no evidence, at least not in the public domain, that this one-off effort is going anywhere too soon. So it is not Dice. His talent is just not harnessed properly. It is people like Denis Joseph who like to keep “De Dice” perpetually to perpetually deliver their annual partisan messages in song. That is Dice’s biggest problem.
You presented a valid argument but Dice nor any other artist should be victimized for the songs and or topics they choose. Dice as I see it is a calypsonian and yes he depends on one writer for his material and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that particularly when it is a wining formula or a successful partnership. After all Michael Jackson’s greatest hits were not all written by him and the mighty Sparrow also depended on writers
It is also undisputed that wherever you go calypso is umbilical to politics and just because Hunter, Scrunter or the Ghost avoided singing about the politicians in government it does not mean that they have deviated from the political theme.
Dice as compared to Hunter for example is that Hunter has the distinct ability to change his act into that of a Soca artist and Dice does not or has not shown that. Daddy Chess also has the ability to be a Soca artist just as well. Now there are many other calypsonians in Dominica who are like Dice – just calypso. The scrunter,Hurrican, NC for example. That said Dice will blow up a stage and competitors wherever he sings Calypso and if dice one day decides to go with another writer he will do justice to the song whether or not the writer is of Pat Aaron caliber or not.
Your disdain for Pat Aaron is quite obvious but to even suggest that Pat Aaron can only swrite about the DLP government is quite outrageous. I am sure that Pat can speak for himself but people like Daddy Chess has not been anywhere close to the crown since the last time Pat Aaron gave him his material.
If it works well why change it for the last 7 years the Pat Aaron/Dice collaboration has been very successful why break a wining combination. The greatest calypsonian and writer King Shut shirt of Antigua was also criticized for constant chanting down corruption, victimization and injustice- the supporter of the corrupt bird administration said he was just an Antigua calypsonian yet the Trinidadians refuse to let him compete in Trinidad because they were intimidated by shut shirt.
Essentially you have your political biases and just because dice does not sing from your hym sheet or the sheet of your political party it does mean that he should be oppressed and so I agree with Denise Joseph on all counts. Whether or not Dice has only been successful in calypso that he does not deserve to be treated better.
You make a good point, but its not an original point. Dice is a gem of an artist but Pat is only a writer, not a manager or promoter of artists nor a distributor. It would be great if those like you who know what the problem is, could step up and fill in. pointing out the problem is easy, its what we are good at, but taking the bull by the horn is what we are good at shying away from. We have singers and writers, We need promoters, handlers, managers to complete our music industry. lets all play a part beyond pointing out the shortcomings.
I love this article. Let’s put politricks aside and give recognition to those who worked for and deserves it. Dice definitely deserves that respect.
Good not have written a better article Hats off to u
Dice is king of Calypso. He needs to respect himself so that the youths can look up to him as a role model and become a musical icon. He reminds me of 2Pac, who was respected in the music industry but not a role model.
How is he disrespecting himself though? Understand that you are the first role model that your children and the children around you need to look up to. 2Pac never said he he is a role model for your children, his fame like dice makes him an exceptional being. Noone is perfect. not you or I. You need to teach your children right from wrong and how to pick sense from nonsense. This is your duty. Dont put that on Dice. A lot of people dont even know that Michael Jordan smokes weed. Magic Johnson had/has HIV from adulterous relationships, great singers like Michael Jackson have had child molestation problems. They have been considered role models. Noone is perfect, not you or i or Dice. People need to stop leaving it to others to raise their children for them. Dice’s personal life shouldnt even be your business. but yes his professional career and life on stage can be emulated and admired as this is what he puts forth to the public.
I totally agree Mr. Joseph! This lack of respect and appreciation for our own talent is hindering progress. Yet still we are so proud of other Caribbean artists who reach far in their music.
I agree. However, when you need the money in a land that is sooo hard., you just let this ugly one slip by.
When you see priest stoop so low, is a message for the ordinary man to stoop lower.
We really need to hold on to the good principles and say, ‘not again’.
If I could ‘like’ this a thousand times i would.
I myself was speechless when I heard that Dice couldn’t sing his own songs.
For those who saw Breaker on stage must agree that he had something special. King Dice is also noteworthy. The fact is these two performers have one thing in common which is they have a much greater appeal to Dominicans ans than to anyone else.
Breaker was a kind of Mick Jagger with a wig and did that number well to some Caribbean audiences, but when placed on the world stage he was sadly faced with another reality.
The Dice was beaten by De Karreser in a competition St. Martin where there was no home ground advantage.
In Dominica we need to decide if we want little kings only to ourselves or if we want to develop exportable talent. This Dominican calypso business is the best way to paralyze a singing career. Let’s hope Dice can still make it otherwise than win the crown year after year and be treated as such.
Name some calypsonians that are popular regional artistsand if and when you do I am sure that any artist named will very well be a soca artist.
Almost every one of dice’s calypso is political. Put a little variety in it Dice. Talk to your writer.