WCK feels privileged to be included on the line up of the 2022 World Creole Music Festival alongside the other local acts. We are one of the musical units that has and continues to pioneer the development of the Bouyon music genre, having produced numerous albums and hits over the years and performed at numerous events globally.
All through the existence of WCK, many artists have made their talents available and have shared in the band’s journey. Members have come and gone, and some have re-turned to the fold. Our interest has always been to keep the WCK Brand alive and to this end we, members past and present, have had to endure years of challenges, most hurtful and impactful, ones coming from within the group itself.
As a band, WCK has made several attempts to address its internal issues discreetly. Over the years we have had several interventions from Well-wishers, from Private/Public sectors such as business professionals, Attorneys, not forgetting Government and Political Party Officials who sought to provide some guidance and direction to assist the band in correcting the enduring matters among its membership. Sadly, many issues remain unresolved primarily because of behaviors and activities of a sole indi-vidual.
For some time now, we have been listening in disbelief to destructive statements and reading comments from a contributor to the WCK band and Bouyon music. We regret that after so many years the individual has and continues to launch attacks on WCK and its entire membership.
WCK was/is hoping that we never have to speak publicly on our internal issues, but instead would be able to, after many attempts through meetings, accept his return to the fold on a common ground, where we can all be on the same stage performing great music, music we produced under the WCK banner.
However, it appears that our interest to discuss our issues internally may have been taken as a sign that this individual and his public statements would be truthful, and so numerous WCK and Bouyon Music fans are making comments, without having any knowledge of what is going on in the Bouyon kitchen of WCK, the heat that the rest of us have had to quietly endure.
No one knows what we have been struggling with off stage. No one knows how difficult it has been to perform with that band member while numerous outstanding matters were left unresolved. On many occasions during the lifetime of WCK we have made difficult compromises and still took the stage all in the interest of our fans, the public, and Dominica.
His behavior within the band over the years was very undisciplined, unmanageable, untrustworthy, intolerable, and unrepentant. The result has been that we have had to endure incessant personal attacks and public embarrassment, hence the reason why there exists a strained relationship between him and most of the other band members.
After having endured so much, a collective decision was taken to cut ties. We cannot go into specifics since there is presently a matter pending before the Courts. We con-sidered the pros and the cons and at the end of it all, we had two options, either terminate the musical group known as WCK or continue without the retrogressing fac-tor. The decision was taken to continue performing for the many fans.
We have not nor are [we] in any way, disputing the contribution of the individual to Bouyon, Music and to WCK, however, WCK never was, and will never be, one man. The individual has made public that he received a letter from WCK and has misled the public on social media about the contents of that letter. We therefore call on him to make this letter in its entirety as signed by the signatories public in order to verify his allegations.
We are sure that the individual is fully aware of all the matters on the table in which he is the principal, and that he knows why the decision was taken and knows what he needs to do to restore the relationship. In all his utterances he has failed in presenting the whole truth to the public and is seeking sympathy while painting all other members as the problem within the band.
It would seem, based on his statements that there is a conspiracy against him. We were hoping that age would bring reason and adult men could sit, accept shortcomings, make restoration, and repair relationships to allow the band to keep performing music for the people.
We still hope that a man who speaks of “truth, love, and righteousness” would first demonstrate those values within the musical family he has continuously hurt so badly and for so long, before seeking to be a public advocate of such ideals.
WCK would like to thank all those who contributed to the band’s development in whatever capacity. We thank you from our hearts. We would like to ask that the public respect our decision as a unit. WCK will be putting on a memorable performance at this year’s World Creole Music Festival that the public is sure to enjoy, so don’t you miss it. We wish the individual well in his future endeavors. We really do. We did great things together.
Sincerely,
WCK
Ashton Lugay, Cornell Phillip, Keith Goddard, Irvine Phillip, Pellam Jno Baptiste.
*Editor’s note* Although his name is not mentioned in the statement, it is common knowledge that former WCK lead singer and songwriter, Derek “Rah” Peters, has for a number of years, been at loggerheads with some other members of the band. DNO has been trying to reach Peters who we’ve been told is currently overseas, for comment. We will keep trying.
All you man ego more important than all you fans… dem man is grandfather age wi, and still acting like lil children.
Do better CK, the fans want to hear balance batty and conch shell sang with all the original musicians
Dominicans what WCK mean ?
Windward Caribbean kulture
And the first first name wackers cornell and keith
Rah prefers his politics more than music. It is well known that he is a disciple of ugly Lenny and UWP. I say well done CK for cutting him loose. Forget de man and concentrate on entertaining Dominican people. Let Rah continue with his politics. You are a neutral entertainment band not tied to politics nor any political party.
That being said. Please note that most bouyon artist have tried to copy Rah’s presention style. From the “we got to go” to most of his adlibs to the way it is sung. Rah. Rah is bouyon, just like how WCK is bouyon. I dont know how else to explain it.
It is with real sadness an disappointment that I have to be reading this news article when I Heard the WCMF line up with the original WCK I was so excited but now in light of what’s going on it almost bring me to tears to be honest I don’t care who did what you guys need to fix this thing if you all say allu love D/A an appreciate your fans because trust me original wck without lead singer Derick ‘rah’ peters it’s not going to sound original an might just trunk up to be a hot mess the original burning flames did it put all there differences aside touring all over the world 🌎 doing big things for there sleeves an there country so come on guys it’s not to late let’s do it for D/A an the crying fans because at the end of the day it’s more than jus a band it a Dominica trademark
It’s time to move on and let the young people take it from there. They are doing a good job so far, except for lyrical content. You all should have copy rights to you stuff by now, now that you’re older, so move on and enjoy your jeritol.
Please if the artist have to leave the music industry in Dominica for the younger artist in five years time they will burn it down because they don’t make good music!!
I think I can smell something burning!
This is nothing other than a witch-hunt, as a structure of argument. How does one explain obvious logic, in that as a founder member of the Band one of the ‘W’ ‘C’ ‘K’ spent decades void of contributing anything to its growth, pursued studies and secured a prestigious gov’t job. Gone from the world of work into retirement on a healthy remuneration, just to make a return now and be part of a ‘cabal’ persecuting another who has played a determining role in taking the WCK Band to the highest achievement level?
What a callous world we live, it’s like making his way through a quagmire comparable to walking across quicksand. And, this is just to pave the way for one last bite at the cherry… to perform at the World Créole Music Festival 2022.
Singin Stars 50 plus years Groovers another 50 plus, Wck what ever that mean, the third senior band in Dominica guys can not patch up their differences Ego Ego Ego ,one playing calpyso , one playing Cadance, the other one playing Bouyon, man put you all self together and make the people happy. Balance party.
I just can’t seems to understand you all so call grown men. Rah is different to you all from day one. His voice and bella style drumming made bouyon. Up to this day he is still the original bouyon drummer. Just because he is a no nonsense person doesn’t make him this character
And court issues. Sometimes its best to hold thy peace and dont say to much. Wck tried it without rah remember? He brought the band together at creole in the park . Trust me life ….. up. I was looking to something like this again. But trust me this put bad taste in my mouth.
See that is our big problem in Dominica. We too soutiwere. Just because the guy was instrumental in starting bouyon music his misbehavior must be tolerated or even accepted. Real flawed way of thinking.
And what is his misbehavior ?Please tell the public
That’s not mine to tell you. Several men who worked with him confirmed his misbehavior by signing the document. Continue your soutiwaying of people. This is why I am one who don’t feel sorry for you all when you are crying after reaping the seeds of upholding wrong whether it is in politics or otherwise. Si ou creole compran.
That is all your democratic choice and you are free to do so. Best thing really. I am no fan of that bouyon music but a band can not be just one man. If the relationship sours cut the ties before it all becomes miserable and you can not stand the sight of one another anymore. That thing happens all the time and music is certainly no exception.
If the man is problem in WCK,thank him for all what he has done.And let him go.A long,long letter explaining what?If WCK believe the man is a nuisance.LET HIM GO.Do not do like UWP,Ugly Lenny is a damn nuisance,dragging UWP in the gabbage pail and he is still leader.
First bit I agree clown but what has Lennox Linton got to do with WCK, I fail to understand. Keep things separate so as not to confuse us.
Thank you
Very unprofessional from WCK. They didn’t call name but they sure roasted, toasted and baked that individual. I feel no matter what’s been posted on social media a more mature group would avoid attacking the character of their former player and if they really wanted make a statement all they should have said is inform people that they and that individual have gone their separate ways without all that character assassination.
RAH worked hard in WCK. Drummer, writer and lead vocals. RAH is serious and hardworking. The Press release is nothing more than a camouflage smear campaign.
RAH , RAH, RAH,
WCK didn’t call name, but a hit dog will holler.
Drama drama drama.. place too small for all this drama. Divorce and move on. May this be a cautionary tale for all groups. Structure is key to conflict mitigation.
All this is done to promote those who have or had nothing to do with Bouyon music. A bunch of dishonest thugs
Cutting all ties with a man who definitely boosted WCK’s notoriety and had a key finger on the pulse of Bouyon music formation. That logic just doesn’t make sense to me.
There are a few of WCK’s music that are “TIMELESS” work of musical art, down to the VOICE (a trademark) of this individual now being cast aside by the undersigned WCK band members.
Shame! Shame! Shame! on you WCK band members….. that’s it, my patronage has gone too with the individual.