Drupatee Ramgoonai
Encyclopedia
Drupatee Ramgoonai is a Trinidadian
chutney
and chutney soca musician from Penal
. She had her biggest hit in 1988 when her "(Roll Up the Tassa
) Mr. Bissessar" was a Road March contender.
Drupatee Ramgoonai was born in Penal, Trinidad. She started singing alongside her mother and in the temples at a young age then went on to learn Classical at the feet of her trainer Ustad James Ramsewak, a veteran in the field. She also gained exposure on Mastana Bahar, the Indian Cultural Pageant, winning the local song category in 1983 and 1984. Her repertoire back then included local classical, bhajans, local songs and film songs. She also had some formal vocal training in Indian Classical music from classes under the acclaimed Professor Adesh.
Ramgoonai recorded her first crossover tune in 1987, entitled "Chutney Soca", and gained moderate success in the calypso tents. The following year she had her mega hit "Mr Bissessar (Roll up de Tassa)", which brought her international acclaim and served as the nursery for this genre of music called chutney soca, resulting in a commercial market being created for this type of music as well. She was consistent for many years with hits such as "Pepper", "Hotter than a Chulha", "Careless Driver", "Motilal", "Tassawalley", and "Manzalina" and even the monster hit "Real Unity" with Machel Montano. Her more recent contributions include "Mohana bina Gowna", "Doh beat yuh wife", "Parosin Maco-ing", "D wedding song", "Chutney Soca Wine", and "Violin".
She has won Nafieta awards and various trophies plus other awards for her unmatched contribution to Chutney Soca music. She almost won the Road March Title in Trinidad and Tobago in 1988, coming second in the race. She is regarded as the Chutney Soca Queen for the blending of these musical styles in some of her songs like "Chutney Soca", "Hotter than a Chulha" and Special Brew. In recent years she has even started doing soca parang at Christmas time with songs such as "Chutney Parang" and "Fruit cake".
She created history as being the first woman of East Indian descent to sing Calypso/Soca and has been one of the main targets of those who are scandalised by women and East Indians singing Chutney and Calypso/Soca.
She is well known throughout the world for her hot and spicy Chutney Soca performances. She has performed throughout the Caribbean, North America, Europe and even India alongside many internationally renowned stars. Up to this day she continues to release tasteful music and do various performances across the globe and is still a force to be reckoned with.
"Nani Wine Remix" - Drupatee & Crazy
"Curry Tabanca" - Drupatee & Mighty Trini
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
chutney
Chutney music
Chutney music is a form indigenous to the southern Caribbean, originating in Trinidad. It derives elements from traditional Indian music and popular Trinidadian Soca music.-History:...
and chutney soca musician from Penal
Penal
Peneral is a town in south Trinidad. It lies south of San Fernando and Debe, and north of Siparia. Originally a rice and cocoa producing area, Penal has grown into an important town in the past few years and is now a desirable place for corporate expansion...
. She had her biggest hit in 1988 when her "(Roll Up the Tassa
Tassa
Tassa is a form of kettle drum, presumably of Persian derivation. Tassa drums are widespread all over India. Typically, one or more tassa drums are played together with a heavy bass drum called dhol, perhaps along with brass cymbals or a metal shaker...
) Mr. Bissessar" was a Road March contender.
Drupatee Ramgoonai was born in Penal, Trinidad. She started singing alongside her mother and in the temples at a young age then went on to learn Classical at the feet of her trainer Ustad James Ramsewak, a veteran in the field. She also gained exposure on Mastana Bahar, the Indian Cultural Pageant, winning the local song category in 1983 and 1984. Her repertoire back then included local classical, bhajans, local songs and film songs. She also had some formal vocal training in Indian Classical music from classes under the acclaimed Professor Adesh.
Ramgoonai recorded her first crossover tune in 1987, entitled "Chutney Soca", and gained moderate success in the calypso tents. The following year she had her mega hit "Mr Bissessar (Roll up de Tassa)", which brought her international acclaim and served as the nursery for this genre of music called chutney soca, resulting in a commercial market being created for this type of music as well. She was consistent for many years with hits such as "Pepper", "Hotter than a Chulha", "Careless Driver", "Motilal", "Tassawalley", and "Manzalina" and even the monster hit "Real Unity" with Machel Montano. Her more recent contributions include "Mohana bina Gowna", "Doh beat yuh wife", "Parosin Maco-ing", "D wedding song", "Chutney Soca Wine", and "Violin".
She has won Nafieta awards and various trophies plus other awards for her unmatched contribution to Chutney Soca music. She almost won the Road March Title in Trinidad and Tobago in 1988, coming second in the race. She is regarded as the Chutney Soca Queen for the blending of these musical styles in some of her songs like "Chutney Soca", "Hotter than a Chulha" and Special Brew. In recent years she has even started doing soca parang at Christmas time with songs such as "Chutney Parang" and "Fruit cake".
She created history as being the first woman of East Indian descent to sing Calypso/Soca and has been one of the main targets of those who are scandalised by women and East Indians singing Chutney and Calypso/Soca.
She is well known throughout the world for her hot and spicy Chutney Soca performances. She has performed throughout the Caribbean, North America, Europe and even India alongside many internationally renowned stars. Up to this day she continues to release tasteful music and do various performances across the globe and is still a force to be reckoned with.
Collaborations
"REAL UNITY" - Drupatee & Machel Montano"Nani Wine Remix" - Drupatee & Crazy
"Curry Tabanca" - Drupatee & Mighty Trini
- "Roll Up De Tassa" -Drupatee, ft. Alison HindsAlison HindsAlison Hinds is a Bajan female soca artist based in the Caribbean island of Barbados. She is one of the most popular soca singers in the world and has been given the nickname the "Queen of Soca".-Biography:...
- "Jep Sting Naina" - Drupatee, ft. Lalchan Babwa(Hunter), Neeshan PrabhooNeeshan PrabhooNeeshan Prabhoo, also known as "The Hitman" or ,"D'Hitman" is a Trinidad and Tobago chutney musician.His first chutney song was recorded in 1997, which was the popular hit "Don't Hold Me Back"...
, Ravi BissambharRavi BissambharRavi Bissambhar is a Trinidadian chutney musician.-Personal life:Ravi started singing at the age of 13. He attended the Sangre Grande Hindu School, Sangre Grande Junior Secondary, North Eastern College, University of the West Indies and he is attempting to complete his degree in Business...
, Anil Bheem, Andy Singh