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Ngozi Paul & Derek Brin at the premiere of DaKink in My Hair
http://www.myspace.com/derekbrin
Mr. Music Producer/ Engineer, and shy guy Derek Brin is Canada's
Music legacy Giant next to all the greats before him. Mr. Brin
is quite a busy man dividing his time between Atlanta, New York
and the Caribbean. His company Fierce Music Entertainment Inc.
is a soon to be force against the world (he is planning to relocate
to Atlanta soon). Derek's genre of music is geared towards R&B,
soca, soul and reggae. One of his recent tracks, 'I FELL IN LOVE
WITH THE DJ' by Che'Nelle featuring Baby Cham, is blowin' up the
charts internationally, and I had a great chance to chat with Derek
on a lovely sunday afternoon.
Tell me a bit about yourself?
I'm a music producer/ engineer. I also write music for TV and video.
I started off as a musician for various bands in Toronto. I
also write music for Film, Television & Video Games.
I have heard that you love to travel, where have you
been and what is the reason for your travel itch?
My mom was a single parent to myself and my brother, she was the
baby of 13 siblings from Trinidad. We went through a lot but we
were always taught to be fighters. "There was no incentive,
it was just expected."
I went to a private school from grade 6-13. My step dad is a lawyer
and my mom is a school principal so I was brought up with a strong
work ethic. That's one of the things I love about Caribbean people.
Why music?
Its a form of expression, when i was younger i wrote alot of poetry
that turned into songs. It reflected my mood, its an extension
of me and how I feel at the time. For example, if im in a bad mood,
instead of breaking something I will write a song.
What other forms of music interest you?
Listening to other music inspires me that includes Caribbean, hip
hop, pop, soca, some rock or things that effect people.
Faith Antoine & Derek Brin @ Ottawa Carnival
How was life growing up?
My mom was a single parent to myself and my brother, she was the
baby of 13 siblings from trinidad. We went through alot but we
were always taught to be fighters. "There was no incentive,
it was just expected."
I went to a private school from grade 6-13. My step dad is a lawyer
and my mom is a school principle. I was brought up with strong
work ethics. Thats what i love about Caribbean people.
Speaking of work ethics, do you think there's a difference work
wise between Canada and America?
Yes in America, the people brag about how much they spent on something,
and we brag about how much we saved buying the same thing. That's
why Americans excel, they want to be bigger and better. They are also
more team oriented.
The Arts in general is appreciated in the US better, socially in
Canada if your an Artist you're broke.
"They embrace music, we listen to music."
Very interesting, please go on...
Being that Americans enjoy the industry, the artist is able to earn
a living and refine their skills. In Canada, you end up making a song
a month in between your 9-5 job so it's hard to refine your skills.
What is missing with the Canadian Consumer?
We don't support our own. There is no close-ness to the industry.
In Barbados, you can walk into the radio-station at Carnival time (Cropover)
and talk about yourself, so the public feels connected to you. In Canada
its too segregated, theres little interaction with the artists and
radio. Thats another thing I love about the Caribbean.
Do you think there is an Outlet here?
Its limited. Community radio. We are not seen as a movement.
Who are some of the international talent that you have
worked with?
The O-jays, Jaheim, Kelly Price, Che'Nelle, Puya & Andreea Balan
from Romania & Soma from France.
By the way... Congrats on a new publishing deal you received!
Thanks, I was signed to Ole' from Toronto. The deal is for 3 years.
Ivan Berry offered the deal and i took it. I am there only Urban
writer. What i like about a small company is that it will give
me room to grow.
Are there any Canadian artists that you would like to work
with? & Internationally?
Jully Black, Kardi, Voyce, Siren, Snow & Glenn Lewis. Internationally,
Keisha Cole, Baby Cham again, Bryan Michael Cox (producer in Atlanta) & Alicia
Keys.
In this Music Business, what do you think is the main ingredient
an artist needs to last?
Passion, cause if you have no passion, you have no drive.
I hear that you are expanding your wings to gospel ( As
a local heavy hitter named Sharon Riley & her group are finishing
up recordings in his studio.)?
I'm talking to Sharon Lee Riley about working on a few songs but we
haven't started anything yet. If we do record something it will be
a huge collaboration with some major players I have lined up in the
US from the Gospel world.
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Bigger and better. I want to be another Timbaland mixed with Sly n'
Robbie with a little Quincy Jones.
With the DRIVE you have you will be!!!
Thanks Derek.
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