Trinidad and Tobago's Syr Promises To Turn Things Up....

Photo by: J Hamilton Photography

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. October 31, 2011------------- He promises to stand out. He’s fresh and hungry to penetrate the Soca scene and at age 26, Syr (pronounced SY-ER) is prepared to give the feting public and even those who just like to chill out amid the hype, something to talk about. So confident is this San Juan, Trinidad native that he’s making it known off the bat that this is no hobby- it’s his career and as such, he’s not messing around.  

A first taste of what Syr’s got was unleashed on Friday, October 28th. It's a single straight out of Holy House Productions and rides the Body Riddim of which well known local producer, Mr. Spine is owed credit. The track, which is called, Pon D Body is all about a young woman’s anticipation for the Carnival season, her eagerness to let loose and enjoy the local festival. Syr, whose real name is Wackele Williams explained that the track is all soca but boasts some dance and dancehall flavour.  

With a keen ability to work with various musical genres, including reggae and dancehall, Syr who only started recording last year, says his first goal is to get the support of the radio stations. “ I need to get my music played, so it can be heard by the masses. This is no hobby- it’s what I do and I plan on doing it well enough, so that everyone appreciates it,” he said.  Looking toward the future, Syr admits that his focus is long term, so at the moment he’s 

working on music that will be released outside local shores in January and in T&T even after 

the C2K12 season has passed.  

On the topic of artistes that he enjoys, names like Bunji Garlin and the Millionaire Family pop 

up. “ I really like the Millionaire Family- there’s no surprise there. Syr admits that he is fond of 

quite a few entertainers on the local circuit, among them Benjai, 3 Suns and FayAnn Lyons. He 

didn’t shy away however from voicing his opinion on the Caribbean’s music industry, saying 

that as a burgeoning artiste he feels there is room growth and improvement. “ There are so 

many genres of music in the Caribbean and then so many sub-genres like Island Pop coming 

out of Soca. It’ll be interesting to see how we utilise all of this musical greatness to show up 

ourselves as one Caribbean people,” he said.  

As it relates to his career, Syr is preparing to do things a little different because as he 

explained- “in this biz, it’s all about who makes the strongest impact, regardless of genre, 

island or style.” 

Already, he’s doing it the right way, with professional standards being set as it relates to 

business and image. Syr’s teamed up with popular urban fashion centre, Phat’s International 

for all his wardrobe needs and his photos are all done by JHamilton Photography. “ The only 

way this can work is if I invest in it and that’s what I intend to do- wholeheartedly. I now look 

forward to the wholehearted support of the public at large,”he said.

T&T Get's It's Very Own Wen'D- Down To Earth & Culture Driven

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. October 27, 2011-------------T&T’s getting its very own 

‘Wen’D’- a fearless, energetic talk show host who promises to take local culture and arts to its pinnacle of success. Starting on November 5, Wendy Lewis will take over Saturday nights with her brand new one-on-one programme she’s dubbed, “Down To Earth With Wen’D.” Set to air on CNC3 in Trinidad and Tobago, the premise of the half hour long show is centred on straight talk in real life situations with icons and persons of prominence in local society. “ This won’t 

be the regular run of the mill culture show, I assure,” said Wen’D, expressing her determination to make the first 13 episodes, which will run into Carnival Saturday- a riveting, eye opening television experience.  

With sponsors that include Courts, designers- Heather Jones, Claudia Pegus, Dexter Jennings 

and Andrew Weekes, Sasha Cosmetics, Creation Designs, the NLCB, American Airlines, 

Statement Limos and CNC3, the show is being promoted with the highest of confidence. 

“Interviews with artistes, carnival stakeholders, radio personalities and certainly after carnival- 

politicians, entrepreneurs and religious figures will take shape based on issues of current appeal 

but with a very laid back, comfortable effect. We’re making this an off- set, real view of 

society’s prominent figures with somewhat of an international flair, something that has never 

quite been done to the standard at which we’re aiming,” said Lewis.  

Each episode will be filmed by 2 Tones Productions at locations frequented by her guests – whether it be at their homes, gyms, offices or even at the corner hot spot where the vibe is right. Whichever way, Wen’D promises she’ll be there to get the news, views and even the sudden outbursts of those 

who’re often considered to be role models in Trinidad and Tobago.  

With a launch date set for November 4, 
plans for a hit series are well underway. It’s title, 

“Down To Earth With Wen’D” epitomises the realistic approach the show’s 
producers are guaranteeing. Following the 13 episodes being filmed during the Christmas and upcoming Carnival 2012 seasons, 
Lewis assured that planning has already begun for guests outside of these culturally festive periods. “ No one will be left out. We’re touching everyone of prominence with an eye towards getting the ‘real’ feelings, emotions and characters of these people. Too often we see persons of prominence on television or on stages and we’re left bewildered by their larger than life personas. It’s time we got down to the nitty gritty. It’s time we made these people tangible- relatable,” she emphasised.

The show will air on Saturdays at 8pm with a repeat each Tuesday at 5pm on CNC3. 

According to Lewis, the concept was considered upon recognising that there was a lack of 

televised local content in a well- packaged, internationally produced format. “ Our icons are 

dying and we’re being left without an account of their history. We need to fix that and it starts 

with Down To Earth With Wen’D,” said Lewis. 

ABOUT WENDY LEWIS:   

Wendy Lewis is the CEO of Khalabash Entertainment & Promotions- an artiste and event 

management company based in San Fernando, Trinidad. She is also the former CEO of the 

Trinidad and Tobago Entertainment Company. Wendy’s career in artiste management in 

Trinidad and Tobago spans 22 years, having worked with a number of accomplished 

entertainers, among them General Grant, Inna Visionz soca band which included lead vocalist 

Kerwin Du Bois, Terri Lyons in 2008, and she now manages Heaven ‘Snakey’ Charles- an 

artiste she attests to being one of the most underrated entertainers of this time. A passion for 

culture and the arts in T&T presents Wendy as a person with an insatiable thirst to expose and 

promote everything beautiful that lies in T&T. As such, her new calling allows for yet another 

opportune moment where she will more than likely impress while garnering success for self 

and the industry that she so loves.