Features
Melissa Doughty
If all things go according to plan, there will be a Carnival Takeover by popular US-based Trinidadian DJ Anarchy.
The Houston, Texas DJ is planning to add an event to next year’s carnival calendar and hopes to have some of the biggest international artists there.
Alinton “DJ Anarchy” Brereton hosts the popular series Tropical Takeover which airs on US broadcaster Sirius XM.
On his recent visit to TT, DJ Anarchy told Newsday that he was in the process of finalizing a venue.
He regularly interviews many celebrities such as Nigerian singer, songwriter, producer Burna Boy.
Some of these celebrities have expressed interest in the TT carnival.
The DJ – who grew up in Princes Town and always had ambitions to become an internationally known DJ – wants to help foster and promote TT artists.
He also wants to show people that their dreams are achievable.
Not only is he working on organizing his own Carnival event, but he plans to create and produce his own music. He has already contacted a number of local artists he is interested in working with.
“I’m out there playing, listening to what’s coming up. I can say, ‘Okay guys, this is what we need to do, we can try to tweak this a little bit and try to fine-tune the song to get it to the point where we can have some Grammy Award-winning songs.’ “
He wants TT artists to top the Billboard charts too.
Through his work and doing many interviews with Afrobeat artists, DJ Anarchy began to build close relationships with major record labels such as Sony, RCA Records and Empire. These relationships earned him an invitation to the 64th Grammy Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas on April 3.
He described the experience as shocking.
Being there showed him that TT’s indigenous music has Grammy potential.
As he continues to evolve in the music industry and promote TT’s music, he hopes to build an empire for his son, five-year-old Zion.
The life and work of American DJ Khaled has inspired him.
He said that DJ Khaled was his role model not only because of his “sharp business and marketing sense” but his devotion to his family. “He has already set his sons up for a brighter future. They never have to worry.
“I’m following the same pattern with my son. I want to make sure that his future is secured and even my family’s,” he said.
DJ Anarchy will do all genres of music as he builds his music empire.
“We’re trying to mix Trinidadian artists with Afrobeats, TT artists with American artists.”
He is not afraid that TT’s music will lose its essence as it evolves.
“Everything evolves. But there is always an element in music that will preserve its essence.
“The sound we hear now is not the same sound you heard before, EDM, pop and dancehall have influenced it.” Another dream he wants to realize is creating his own playlists for major streaming services like Apple and Spotify.
But there was a special message he wanted to share with the youth of TT: “Don’t let anyone tell you, your dreams are nightmares. Don’t let anyone tell you, your dreams are out of reach,” he said.
DJ Anarchy wants them to keep dreaming big as there was a whole wide world out there. Those interested in connecting with DJ Anarchy can find him on his social media pages on Instagram and Facebook. He said that if people are interested in sending him their work or music, he’s willing to listen and give honest feedback.
