We have all witnessed the amazing talent that emanates from Barbadian songstress Kareen Clarke who is a household name in the music industry.
However, her daughter Trinity Clarke has also become a vocal sensation and recently received the keys to Plainfield New Jersey from the Mayor of the city Adrian O Mapp who proclaimed Sunday, August 19, 2018, as a day of recognition and celebration or Clarke.
Bajan Vibes sat down and spoke with the dynamic mother and daughter duo about their recent successes and about what’s next for the young dynamic superstar Trinity.
Q: At what age did you realize that your daughter Trinity had such a powerful and moving voice?
A: When she was three I realized that she had the gift. Her voice developed over time.
Q: How has the journey been being Trinity’s mom, coach, and manager?
A: The journey has been testing and full of much success and joy at the same time. My priority to her is first as a mother; it trumps everything; then a coach and a manager. As a manager, I am still learning. As her coach, I am now considering her having another vocal coach. In the meantime, she is learning to play an instrument and is a student of Praise Academy of Dance where she is starting ballet, starting hip-hop dancing and CXC music. As a mother, I have the joy and privilege of watching my daughter become a spirited pre-teen and develop in all areas of her life as an artiste. As a recording artiste, she is made for the studio, so her studio experiences have been wonderful. Her next single release will be called Champion.
Q: Did Trinity ever do a performance that left you speechless?
A: Yes, they were many! But a memorable performance was when she won the 6-12 Richard Stoute Teen Talent in 2017. Trinity sang through hoarseness caused by a viral infection and an allergic reaction from the medication that she was taking while having an incessant cough. She demonstrated faith and the true meaning of musicianship as she manoeuvred from hitting the top notes to her lower register with exceptional skill and craftsmanship. All of which was unrehearsed.
The next performance that left me speechless was when she sang at Mahalia’s Corner as a spotlight artist backed by the 2 Mile Hill Band. She was just phenomenal. A standing ovation followed. Usually, when she performs, I am in coach mode. On these occasions, I was in Mummy mode.
Q: What was the experience like touring on the God is Good Tour with Trinity this summer?
A: I was in coach and manager mode and my daughter Trinity was the artiste. I served her on the tour- her comfort was my priority. As her mother, I made sure she was in good health in body, mind, and voice. The tour itself was an eye-opening experience! It was like the world is hungry for the voice and innocence and purity at this level of excellence. They were always left in awe! The reception that Trinity received before and after in every State was at a celebrity status each time we travelled.
Q: Describe the feeling you experienced when your daughter was given the keys to Plainfield, New Jersey.
A: Well, let’s say that I had to google what that meant! I had to let it sink in. It was euphoric and received with much thankfulness. That experience was also symbolic of more greatness and honour that was to come from great men and women and people of influence and affluence that her gift will bring before her. I embraced it all.
Q: Last year we all watched and enjoyed Trinity as she not only won Richard Stoute, but she was able to perform for international pop star Rihanna. Looking back, how was that experience for you?
A: When it was announced in the later stage of the competition that the Richard Stoute Teen Talent competition winner would have that coveted spot to sing in front of Rihanna as part of the winning prize it was a further incentive for Trinity to work harder at winning the overall competition. Performing and singing on stage to Rihanna is an exclusive accomplishment for any young aspiring artiste. I watched one of my daughter’s dreams come to pass at 11 years old. She was almost to tears when Rihanna gave her a standing ovation while she was still singing. That night, it was ticked off her bucket list.
Q: Is it easy to work with Trinity?
A: Yes it is. She is a natural vocalist; it is inbred in her. She is still very much a work in progress but Trinity is a very active child so she becomes restless and wants to burn energy. Being still is a challenge for her.
Q: As an artiste yourself, is there anything new that we at Bajan Vibes can look forward to hearing in the not too distant future from Kareen Clarke?
A: I sing but I am not just a singer anymore. I can’t just sing anymore. There is a set call for ministry in my word and song and that is the area of my life I am developing.
Q: With Trinity receiving international and local praise for her vocal ability are you concerned that it may be happening too fast as she is only 12 years old?
A: Recognition and praise are not an impeachment of excellence but a credit and a consequence of excellence. So I am not concerned at all; it comes with the territory. She is 12 but her ability is age old! Nothing new here at all.
Q: What advice are you giving to Trinity to cope with the ongoing success that she is receiving?
A: Believe it or not, Trinity is oblivious to all that is happening. The tour, for example, was more like an adventure for her- as she was travelling on the plane and a bus; meeting different people, Six Flags, shopping, their culture and way of life. Her approach and enthusiasm are very childlike and unassuming.
In light of this fact, I tell Trinity every single day to be appreciative of how God has promoted and exalted her with it at such a tender age. I admonish her to never forget who gave her the gift and where it came from and to always remember where and who her present help comes from and to make God’s praise ever glorious by putting her all in her singing when she does.
After this, the lady of the hour, Trinity Clarke, who is now a student of the Alexandra Secondary School and will be performing at City Nights this weekend, October 6-7, at the Frank Collymore Hall.
Q: At what age did you realize that you had a passion for singing and promoting God’s kingdom?
A: To be honest I really don’t know. I just know I love to sing and I love God. I feel good and happy when I sing and God is good.
Q: Is it challenging balancing your studies with your musical career?
A: No, it is not because my mummy balances it all for me. I just show up and sing and come home and do my homework and read and then practice when I have to.
Q: What is one of your biggest achievements thus far as an artiste?
A: I guess the biggest achievement for me was singing for Rihanna. But my other biggest achievement was receiving the keys to New Jersey because that meant we would be moving to the USA. My other biggest achievement was winning the Richard Stoute Teen Talent and then the Miss Junior Princess 2017. I have many trophies at home and princess crowns. But while on tour, I conquered my fear of heights and went on the world’s biggest ride at Six Flags - the Superman ride. That was an achievement for me as well.
Q: Are you looking to become an international superstar in the future?
A: I would love that but I also love athletics and I want to be a judge. So I am not sure yet.
Q: Looking back last year, you would have performed for Rihanna and she stood from her seat when you were performing. Tell us, how was that experience for you?
A: I wanted to cry. I was nervous and happy but I wanted to cry. I had to stop myself from crying in the song. I hope I can record a song with her and sing it on one of her tours.
Q: Do you think it is easier as an artiste when you have your mom as your manager?
A: I just see my mummy as my mummy but doing different things for me with my singing. My mummy is loving, funny, protective and strict and she makes sure that things get done when I have to sing.
Q: What was the experience like performing in Mahalia’s Corner as a spotlight artiste?
A: It was awesommmmmmme! I loved Aunty Mahalia and the microphone and the band sounded really good.
Q: As you grow up what genre of music would you like to sing and why?
A: I am not sure yet. What I like is good singing and something that is with any kind of music. YouTube has lots of singers and they sing all kinds of music.
Q: Do you have any local or international persons who you look up to? If so, who and why?
A: I love Nikita and Ch’an and John Yarde, they are my favourites here in Barbados. Internationally, I love Beyonce, Whitney Houston, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Sia, Mary Mary, Kierra Sheard, Yolanda Adams, Mariah Carey when she whistles high, Yebba, Alicia Keys and Rihanna and many more because they all just sing so good.
I google them a lot and listen to them. I watch The Voice a lot and The Four as well. They make singing look so easy and Yebba made me cry. Whitney Houston’s voice is just so powerful and Beyonce is amazing because she sings, she dances and she has an all-female band. Alicia Keys plays the piano and sings and I want to do that. I hope one day to be able to sing and sound as good as them all. (LG)
The post Kareen and Trinity – Vocal powerhouses! appeared first on Barbados Today.
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