While the conversation in the soca community is focused on going global, Guyanese artiste Blaze Anthonio has other plans.  The “Blow” singer overcame his surprising reticence to share his thoughts on the soca scene, Guyanese music, and why he intends to stay “local like black tea.”

Marlon Ashford Simon, known by his stage name Blaze Anthonio, knew he wanted to be a professional musician from the age of 13.  After listening to Brooklyn rappers Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur, he was inspired and began battle rapping.  In fact, after winning a battle, a young person said “yuh blaze up the place!” and thus the stage name was born. 

Now categorized as a soca dancehall artiste with Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), Anthonio is still working to perfect his own unique sound.  The 27-year-old artiste has already produced a catalog of music that shows his versatility.  Songs like “Blow” and “Red Woman” have the cheeky innuendo characteristic of soca.  Yet songs like “Guyana Our Own” and “Up Top” contain cultural references to Guyana’s history that is more like rapso or conscious reggae. Anthonio says he plans to create music in specified genres as opposed to the fusion he currently produces in order to be more recognizable.  “I want persons to be able to hear a song and say ‘Hey, that’s Blaze Anthonio!’”

It is no wonder then that he was one of the featured artistes at Brooklyn’s Guyana Day concert.  The event, held on August 25th in Coney Island, was a major triumph for New York’s Guyanese community. However, there is room for improvement.  For instance, the delayed start time caused the audience to wait hours to see the over 20 artistes on the bill.

Anthonio concedes that the concept of Guyana Day was good, yet he would advise the organizers to do better with artiste management and staying on theme.  “This is ‘Guyana’ Day and we need to stick to that theme.”  The inclusion of artistes from other islands had some attendees upset as this was our day to celebrate our culture and see Guyanese acts that rarely get bookings in New York.  “People came to see Natural Black, Adrian Dutchin, Jumo Primo, and Blaze Anthonio.  Rupee was just a plus.” Artistes were able to only perform one or two songs before being ushered off stage - and some did not go quietly. 

Allowing Guyanese artistes to showcase their talents is necessary if we intend to play on the world stage.  Collaboration is prevalent in the Caribbean music scene and Anthonio plans to work with outside producers and writers, but only to enhance his own sound.  “We are incorporating more of an international sound. We are heading there with the new generation of artistes.”

It is to those artistes that he offers this advice:

Be original. Every artiste that has been successful internationally brought something new or different to the table. Find your own sound and stay true to your Guyanese culture, even if you have to make inroads outside of the country. 

“We always say ‘Buss a yard, before you buss abroad,’ but if the yard isn’t accepting you and abroad is going to accept you, then trod abroad.”  

Hopefully, we will see this rising star trodding on more stages in New York and around the world.  For now, stay up to date with Blaze Antonio on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music.