BAVINA SOOKDEO
“My reign has been an incredible and successful one – a very busy one indeed. I have gained so many supporters, and the love has grown., said Chutney Soca Queen Rawytee Ramroop in an interview with Newsday.
Since capturing the crown in 2024, she has graced stages across Trinidad and Tobago Canada and Suriname, spreading joy and positivity through her music.
A highlight of her journey has been the personal growth it inspired. “This journey has taught me to remain humble, kind, and caring. A title cannot define my character. Humility and simplicity speak volumes, and I always strive to be a better version of myself each day,” she said.
Her latest single, Take One, produced by Zaheer “Big Rich” Khan, encapsulates this ethos. Released on December 27, the heartfelt track is a call to cherish life’s fleeting moments. In just days, Take One amassed over 100,000 views on West Indian Chutney Music. Its message resonates deeply with Ramroop, who lost her only brother during the covid19 pandemic.
“Life is unpredictable,” she reflected. “Take One is about spreading love, positivity, and cherishing every memory. This song has resonated with so many people and I am thankful and blessed that it has been getting so much love…I am really happy about that. There are many homes where people have lost loved ones so the lyrical content really hits homes like that – including mine. Performing that song was really emotional.”
The song features keyboardists Adesh Sahadeo and Kishore “Wizzy” Ramdath, tabla player Srishti Ramdass and background vocalist, Tanya Rawlinson.
The accompanying music video, directed by Dinesh Maharaj of Enhanced Media, features children and musical icons like Drupatee Ramgoonai, Rakesh Yankaran, Edwin “Crazy” Ayoung, along with artistes Indar Kanhai, Nigel Gobin, Satnarine Ragoo, Anuradha Hansraj, and Reehanna Gopaul.
[caption id="attachment_1130984" align="alignnone" width="727"] Rawytee Ramroop says her new song Take One is about spreading love, positivity, and cherishing every memory. -[/caption]
In true Ramroop fashion, the song veers away from the typical themes of alcohol and infidelity that often dominate the chutney soca genre.
“You won’t hear me singing about alcohol or about being unfaithful. Take One offers a different perspective – whether it’s cow’s milk, coconut water, or fresh vegetables, it’s about appreciating life’s simple pleasures. It was all about something different. With our deep lyrical content, we had to stick on that path with where we did not swerve to that alcohol concept. We don’t want to keep on that path where we are always thrown stones for negative lyrics.”
On working with so many artistes on the video, Ramroop said, “It was so phenomenal – nobody hesitated – everyone came with a good heart and we had fun on that farm – it was so beautiful. Working with icons from the industry was phenomenal – they are the legends that I look up at and who I have learnt so much from so thank you to them and all the artistes who have been part of my production
