[dropcap]L[/dropcap]ashely ‘Motto’ Winter’s beats have been hot on demand for about the past five years. Winter is a native of Grace, Vieux Fort but currently resides in Brooklyn. That hasn’t stopped him from being a main player in the Dennery Segment. His Bachelor’s of Mass Communications has also helped him make a decent name in music video production. His first Trinidad Carnival this year set the tone for future growth in his career, and the 23-year-old doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon.
Dennery Segment music is the anthem for many, while being offensive to others. Either way, Motto is one of those ensuring that our creole phrases are internationally renowned. Soon he will be touring in Europe and Latin America. Recently he sat down for a few minutes with the STAR.
Tell us about your work as a producer.
Motto: Well, I’ve been in the business for about eight years. I’m one of the meccas when it comes to the whole Dennery Segment movement. I started out about 2008. When I left Saint Lucia, I was bored. Then I downloaded the Fruity Loop software. I started doing beats.
I sent them from the U.S. to Saint Lucians and so all songs like ‘Pork Sauce’, ‘Soca Bandit’ and ‘One Drop Talon’—they were all from my production.
How did you start singing?
Motto: Well I did all of this and thought: “Why don’t I try singing?” So over the years I just started doing ‘Bend Dong’ and ‘Forsay’ and others, and it was really between school, track and music for me. Music wasn’t my first choice; I was focused on sports. I wanted to be an Olympian for Saint Lucia but I got injured and stuff happened. But when I was off the track I was already into music, doing beats and so on.
How do you come up with your lyrics?
Motto: I don’t write lyrics. I vibe out. It’s basically when I’m in the studio, I have to play the music really loud and I have to dance and wine. I’m a winer. I have to catch the feeling and the recording equipment is set, and when the freestyle is stuck in my head, I record it.
Explain “one of the meccas of Dennery Segment”.
Motto: Well, what I mean is I was one of those who started the sound. I worked with a lot of other artistes. I have a select group and when I produce I just send beats to them to do their thing. Right now the one that’s buzzing is ‘The People Man’. I produced that. I also have the ‘Pim Pim Riddim’ out which features Machel Montano and Skinny Fabulous as well as myself and Lyrikal (Party Lit). I think this is one of the biggest riddims out of Saint Lucia, considering how far it’s gotten. Machel Montano had one of the top songs in Trinidad Carnival on that riddim.
So, is this “riddim” your most successful so far?
Motto: Yes. This was my first time working with Machel and it was a big accomplishment for me as a producer. Working with him was great. He helped me out by bringing me to his shows, onstage, to sing ‘Party Lit’. That really helped with promotion of myself in Trinidad.
What other soca artists have you worked with?
Motto: Well, I also have the ‘Gwadda Riddim’ out, which features Bunji Garlin, Skinny Banton, Mr Legz and Fadda Fox.
How do you think your music gained such popularity?
Motto: I would say marketing. And the history that I have and the respect people have for me, too. And being in New York City as well is advantageous for me because I’m connected to people from other islands and so many different deejays. I also use social media. Now my Youtube channel for producing Team Foxx, is one of the most popular ones from Saint Lucia, with about 76,000 subscribers.
Do you plan on coming back to live in Saint Lucia?
Motto: Well, I’ve resided in the U.S. for eight years. I wouldn’t say I don’t plan on coming back because I don’t know what the future holds. But definitely I want to start some businesses here in the future, at least in music recording or entertainment.
