Orlando Octave is a Trinidadian born soca artiste (originally known as ‘D Original Rude Boy.’).

Orlando started showing interest in music at the age of three (3) performing for his family at their Rio Claro home. By age eleven (11) he entered the Junior Soca Monarch competition to test both his musical and performance skills. Although he didn’t win the title from that completion, he did win the opportunity of a lifetime. He was selected by Socarama to participate in a tour with other artistes scheduled to perform at Madison Square Garden and so his music story begins.

During his stint in the U.S.A., Orlando entered the Labour Day Soca Competition and won. Upon his return to T&T, he was chosen by NYAC/NORS as one of the Top Twenty Stars of Tomorrow. These series of events catapulted this young talent to participate in the Coca-Cola Sponsored Schools Tour across T&T for the duration of 2001 through to 2003. Once again in 2004, Orlando Octave, better known as the “D Original Rude Boy”, made an attempt at the Junior Soca Monarch and triumphantly copped the tile with his winning composition “Proud of Rude Boy”. After winning this title, Orlando was selected by the Inter-Cultural Performing Arts of T&T to be part of a one month long tour in the U.S.A. alongside other artistes. At the end of this tour, he returned to T&T and graced several Carnival fetes with his positive lyrics and conscious vibes.* (source cited).

We had the chance to talk to Orlando during his recent visit to the U.S. . Check it out!

 HOW DID YOU GET THE SOBRIQUET ‘ORIGINAL RUDE BOY?’

• The name ‘Original Rude Boy’ was a slang from his youth. His father who was also an artiste would be in the community would be with people from the neighborhood exchanging rhymes and music. It is not because of his attitude by any stretch of the imagination.

WHAT INSPIRED THE BREAK TO FINISH SCHOOL?

• Orlando’s father insisted that he have an education before he dove completely into his musical career. ‘Darkie Where Yuh from,’ is the reggae song he released after finishing O Levels. From there he went on to expand his musical range working with different producers throughout the diaspora.

HOW ARE YOU POSITIONING YOUR BRAND IN THE SOCA SPACE?

• Orlando’s goal is to create music that inspires those around him. He think if he gets that done then he has achieved his objectives.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW WE CAN PUSH SOCA GLOBALLY?

• Orlando believes that politics should be taken out of the soca music arena. In his opinion, the only way for the music to thrive to make room for fresh talent and new ideas.

WHATS NEXT FOR ORLANDO OCTAVE?

• Orlando is currently working on a still to be named album. He is also looking forward to touring with the Life of A ghetto Youth family and releasing music under that umbrella.

Source:

*https://socalyrics.net/orlando-octave/