Michael Sparkey Drakes
A reggae and soca singer
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
At the age of 11 he started thrilling the congregation at his local church in his native Guyana, with his heavy baritone voice, he knew then that music was to become a major part of his life.
Michael is a former trumpeter with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), has sung with the Sheriff Deputies, Yoruba Singers, and GT Music Machine all in Guyana. He recorded a very popular single in Guyana called Wake Up Guyana that was the theme song for the Wake Up Guyana show hosted by Basil Bradshaw.
In November of 1997 Michael was brought to Antigua to perform with Tonik Band(He has since adopted Antigua as his home), after the disintegration of Tonik, Michael joined Vision 2000 and wrote and recorded 10 of the 11 songs on the Absolute Vision album, he sang with BZ Signal before joining Da Bhann in 2004.
With his strong versatile voice and great range when performing Ragga Soca, Dub, Dancehall Reggae or just belting out a catchy tune like Caught Up(that appeared on the 2005 TOSS album for Da Bhann) his stage presence and talent for writing is evident . In May of 2006 he left Da Bhann for a solo career, on June 10, 2006 he performed in New York as a solo artist on the Eastern Caribbean Legends of Music Concert, performing the opening tribute song that he penned to celebrate the OECSs 25th anniversary in accapella.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
Yes that is the only way to go. I have performed in Japan, Africa, USA, South America & the Caribbean. I performed at the Star Mega Jam in Nigeria and was really touched while in Africa.
Your musical influences
I am into reggae and soca, my voice is heavy and therefore I do dancehall, ragga soca and soca well.
What equipment do you use?
I play the trumpet, but my instrument is my mic.
Anything else?
check out my site on myspace.
http://www.myspace.com/sparkeydrakes
