Grenadian-born artiste Blaka Dan (Wrenroy Ogiste) grew up in the streets of Enterprise, Chaguanas, at a time when gang violence was prominent in that “hot spot” community.
The artiste, a finalist in the Ultimate Soca Champions, developed a love for soca music from a very young age. His inspiration to pursue the genre came from the late Blazer Dan who was also from that community.
“Being a ghetto youth growing up in Enterprise, the immediate role models I saw were the gangsters; never knew anything else,” he said.
“I grew up in church but when you’re young, you look at community influence. When Blazer Dan got through with soca music, it was astonishing to me, so much so that I believed I could do it as well. I took the good out of what he did in the community.”
Blaka Dan’s soca release, Blessings, is one of the biggest songs for Carnival 2025. Written by the artiste and produced by Damion “Pappy Boi” La Pompe and Joseph “Tus” Thomas of Loyalty Family, the tune has taken over the airwaves, fetes and streets.
“The song, Blessing, isn’t just about relationships but, to me, covers any situation that may be deemed a tragedy and works out for the better for you in the long run. Hard times are not the end,” he said. Read More
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