Introducing The Inspiring R&B-Pop Talent Kalpee

Emerging artist Kalpee is ready to take the music world by storm. The rising talent first got his start in music performing with his father at calypso competitions and national music festivals. As the years went on Kalpee became a frontman for a cover band and toured throughout Trinidad and Tobago. After graduating from univeristy he took his talents to the UK to hone his craft and release music.

Since his debut, the Trinbagonian artist has created a unique R&B sound that blends the chill sounds of reggae and smooth stylings of calypso. With over 25 million streams, a dedicated fan base, and his brand new EP ‘Feel Good Playlist Vol. 1’ making the rounds Kalpee star is showing no signs of dimming.

We were able to chat with Kalpee about everything from his latest EP, his time at university, his new music, and more. Read the full interview below.

Hey Kalpee, how’s it going? 

Hey, I’m doing great, thank you, I’m in Barbados right now, creating and refilling my energy, so I’m loving life lol, got nothing to complain about.

To start off let’s take it back a bit, when did you first start getting into music? 

I was six when I first started singing, I didn’t actually know at the time that I could sing, but I got chosen to represent my primary school class, in our annual calypso competition and from there, I never really stopped. I’d say school was a big part of me being involved in music. I was always in choir, singing in church, in a school band, I did everything musical and I loved it.

You were the lead singer of your local cover band when you were younger, fantastic by the way! Has that experience helped you as an artist today? 

I laugh every time I think of my band days because so much has changed since then, but being in that band was definitely the foundation for everything I can do today, we all individually practised our crafts and we attended the same school, which meant at every opportunity, we were writing a song or just having a jam session. I really did learn a lot during that period of time, picking up skills like video editing, music production and even how to play the guitar, all of which helps so much with the creative process.

Okay, a little off topic but we hear that you went to uni and got a degree in Marine Biology? If you weren’t doing music, what would you be doing instead?

I did actually and prior to that, I did a year of law school but I hated it lol, which is what made me change to Marine Biology, but that being said, if I weren’t doing music, I’d probably wanna be a chef and I’d work at one of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants.

Okay, we need to talk about your addictive sound! What elements make up your sound? 

Aww, thank you, I call my sound “Chilled Calypso” since calypso has been such a big part of my musical upbringing. It’s part of a larger genre known as, Island pop. The sound changes from song to song, but there are elements of calypso, soca, reggae, rock, pop and RnB that makes up the genre.

You just dropped your debut EP ‘Feel Good Playlist, Vol. 1. What was the creative process like for the record? 

The inspiration for this EP came during the lockdown in the UK, I started going through all the ideas I had on my phone and developing the ones that I thought had the most potential. The creative process for me changes all the time, but usually, I lay down a guitar part, record all the melodies that come, then arrange it. After that, I write a song to the melodies and based on the mood of the chord progression, I know what I want to talk about and how I want the vibe to feel. I like to leave the production till after the song is finished, so that I could tailor it, based on what I’m saying and what my melodies are doing because to me, the production is supposed to compliment the vocal and the song, everything needs to feel like one. I’m really proud of this EP because it’s the first time I’ve actually tailored a project together, so I get to express my ideas exactly how it’s on my mind.

What do you want music listeners to feel after listening to the EP? 

I want them to feel inspired, uplifted and hopeful. I put a lot of love into my music, all of my soul goes into it because I know how powerful music can be, it’s like a medicine. If you’re having a bad day, put on some positive music, I guarantee you, it’ll switch your mood. My music, to me, feels like being on a beach during sunset time, so if that’s your vibe, go take a listen.

With 2020 close to being over, what goals or plans do you have for the upcoming new year? 

Definitely more music, exciting collaborations and some live performances for sure. 2021 is gonna be amazing, I’m excited.

Make sure to tune in to Kalpee music video for his single ‘Put Your Record On’ and bts featurette below.