
Saint Crooner
Saint Crooner,.....
"Reggae from a ghetto"
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
Being the eldest in a family of four brothers, Saint is an uprising reggae artist growing and living in the slums of Githurai.Greatly inspired by the neighborhood and the reality in the music, Saint has known nothing but a life of hardship in a ghetto where people live from hand to mouth and no one is assured of their tomorrow. Born on 27th July 1984, Saint found music irresistible as he used to sneak into the dance hall where his father was then a dj playing with Commando Sounds in the 80s.The love and passion for the same increased as my father had a big collection of African music and a few reggae albums by Lucky Dube and Alpha Blondy. It wasnt easy and I had to wait until I joined High School where I became a member of the school choir and took part in several music festivals in 2001, 2002 and 2003.It was through the wonderful experience that I decided to write my own music but since I could not raise the studio fee in school, I had to wait and clear my High School education first. In Aug 2004, I pioneered the foundation of a seven member group known as Inert with the following members; G, Cecile, Ephie, Sista Carol, Terry Anne and Saint Crooner Me, but that was short lived and did not yield much. We tried to record Thank You Lord a single I had written, in vain as members were not always available when needed. I therefore had to go solo as I had to meet my hearts desire of singing. My first single Just Friends in 2005 was inspired by an international Riddim Silk Riddim that I first heard on radio in April 2005. The song was then the Exodus of a journey I found myself taking as there would be no turning back no matter what. The second single Better Life followed in early 2006.Its Better Life that gave me a little publicity as it was played for a whole two years on Coro Fm by Ras Kago I will always respect you Rasta and also entered the Homegrown Chart on Metro Fm.The song was inspired by the state of poverty that keeps blocking my way to prosperity and the suffering my people find themselves going through,.I have always felt that things will get better one day. Recording for the fist time at Point 45 Records, I had to pay my studio fee in installments as no one could support me in any way, but its been good because through that I have learned a lot. I keep hoping for the best and through the ups and downsI know that Jah will never let me down. Since then, I have recorded several singles including Streets, Live On, True Love, Bad Girl, Its You, My Prayer, Touch Meft Sophie, Tell Me Why and Election Wars,for Jah has been faithful. I am not from a rich family and only a peanut vendor on the Streets and thats how I manage to earn my little cash and save it for months to record my music. I strongly believe I will make it somewhere somedayI have to Live On say My Prayermeet Bad Girl and overcome all. Through the pains and sorrowsthere will be the light at the end of the tunnel. I wish to appeal to anyone in a position to give a helping hand to come in, help me finish my first album, promote it and sell it. I just want to give a Better Life to my family my parents and brothers May Jah bless you for taking some time on my page. One Love.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
Yes I do but through prior arrangement.
Your musical influences
Greatly inspired by reggae icons like Peter Tosh, Gregory Isaacs, Beres Hammond, Dennis Brown, Bunny Wailer,Freddie Mc Gregor, Lloyd Brown, Mutabaruka, Lord Laro, Cocoa Tea, Anthony Bishop, Sizzla, Capleton, Morgan Heritage, The Heptones, Toots &The Mytals, George Nookes, Luciano, Mighty Slaves, Marcia Griffiths, Sanchez, Misty in Roots, The Itals only to name but a few.
What equipment do you use?
Depends with the situation and event.