Legendary calypsonian/composer, Alston Becket Cyrus, has fostered an illustrious 27-year career with nineteen albums and numerous award-winning singles to his credit. Through his achievements and distinguished musicianship Becket has earned his title as the 'ABC' of Calypso/Soca.
Born on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent, Becket's first love was the steel pan. As a teenager he realized that he also had a gift for singing and he quickly became popular as a young calypsonian. In 1972, while a member of the US Army, Becket decided that he wanted to pursue a singing career and as a result he performed in the successful US Soldier's Tour- Hawaii 1972-1974. His professional career began in 1975.
In 1977, Becket struck gold with his popular hit Coming High and followed with equally successful singles like Calypso Noel (1982) Ooh La La (1983), Teaser (1990) and Small Pin (1999). In 1991, he received the Record of the Year and Best Party Tune awards at the first ever Caribbean Music Awards held at the Apollo Theatre (NYC), he was honored three times by the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and earned an award from the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Houston for Teaser. In 1994 Ella Me Vacila (the Spanish version of Teaser) earned him a BMI Latin Award and a Billboard/Univision Award for the Salsa/Tropical Song of the Year. Cover versions of this song have been done in several other languages. During Trinidad's Carnival 2000, smash hits Small Pin and Doh Eat And Lie Down swept the Caribbean airwaves by storm. In addition to party tunes Becket creatively penned several songs related to world events, Caribbean politics and carnival such as Love is the Answer (remade in 2001 featuring post 911 lyrics), Carnival History (earning him the Calypso King of St. Vincent 1975) Legalize The Grass, Human Rights, I Am An African, Hezekiah, Mama, Oppression, Cardo, Marie-Anne, I Cry, Gal Ah Rush Me, Say No To Drugs and Laramania.
As a veteran calypsonian Becket has performed throughout the Caribbean, Europe, Canada, Spain, England, Columbia and the United States to include various college tours/festivals. In 2000 Becket made history becoming the first Caribbean artist invited to perform at the US Open and was listed as one of the 17 Outstanding Caribbean Personalities of the 20th Century. In addition, Becket has shared the stage with legends like the late Lord Kitchener, the Mighty Sparrow (Calypso King of the World), Singing Sandra, Lord Shorty, Black Stalin, Shadow, Lord Nelson (Trinidad), King Short Shirt, Burning Flames, Swallow (Antigua), Arrow (Montserrat), Gabby (Barbados), Lovindeer, Freddie McGregor, Fabulous Five, Pluto, Burning Spear, Eric Donaldson, Eddie Lovette, Third World, Inner Circle (Jamaica) and numerous R&B groups.
This prolific composer and highly revered Caribbean music icon continues to be a source of inspiration for generations to come. His style, grace and versatility leave you with an insatiable desire for more of his hypnotic melodies reflecting the musicianship of a master. Currently his new CD Love Is The Answer includes a mixture of strong lyrics and uplifting Caribbean rhythms
Discorgraph
Love Is The Answer - 2002
ABC Live - 2001
25th Anniversary - 2000
The Best Of Becket Volume 1 - 1999
Give It Up - 1999
Big Fly - 1997
All The Time - 1995
Dance Power - 1994
Fresh - 1993
Going To Come - 1992
Gal Ah Rush Me - (The Teaser album) - 1990
Soca Dance Party - 1988 +
Yuh Sweet - 1987 +
10th Anniversary - 1985 +
Mama - 1984 +
Vincy Mas - 1983 +
Coming Higher - 1979 +
Disco Calypso (Also a soundtrack in The Deep motion picture; released internationally by Casablanca Records) - 1977 +
Raw Calypso - 1976 +
+ Available on vinyl and cassette only
Appearances
Jewish Community Centre, Vancouver, B.C., Canada - October, 2002
Caribbean Gardens, Burlington, CA - March, 2002
Hollywood Park Casino, Inglewood, CA - March, 2002
The Ark, Brooklyn, New York - New Year's Eve, 2001
St. Croix & St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands - April, 2001
Le Cordon Bleu, Jamaica Queens, New York - October, 2001
The US Open, Flushing Meadows Tennis Center, New York City - September, 2000
Guvernment, Toronto, Canada - August, 2000
Paramount Theatre, Madison Square Garden, New York City - May, 2000
Theatre For The Living Arts (TLA), Philadelphia - June, 2000
Spectakula Forum, Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies - January - March, 2000
Cross Roads, Maryland - New Year's Eve, 1999
Fantazia 2000, Grenada, West Indies - September, 1999
Lincoln Center, New York City - May, 1999
Caribbean Festival, Penns Landing, Philadelphia - August, 1998
Brooklyn College, New York City - May, 1998
Radio City Music Hall, New York City - May, 1997
The Metro East Trade Centre, Pickering, Toronto, Canada - New Year's Eve, 1996
Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies - November, 1996
Caribana Festival, Toronto, Canada - August, 1995
The Garden Paramount, Madison Square Garden, New York City - May, 1995
The Howard Johnson Hotel, Toronto, Canada - July, 1994
Pickett's Locke Centre, London - September, 1993
SUNY at Oswego, New York - April, 1993
Expo '92 Sevilla, Spain - July, 1992
SUNY at Albany, New York - May, 1992
X Festival de Musica del Caribe, Cartagena, Colombia - March, 1991
The Apollo Theater in New York City, 1st Annual Caribbean Music Awards - March, 1991; August & December, 1990
VII Festival de Musica del Caribe, Cartagena, Colombia - March, 1988
The Palladium, New York City - January, 1987
Socalypso '86 West London Stadium - July, 1986
Roy Thompson Hall, Toronto, Canada - May, 1986
British Tour, Oxford University, Birmingham, Essex, Surrey, Luton - September, 1979
Carlton University, Ottawa, Canada - July, 1979
The Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn - June, 1976
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.cocoamusic.comTrack List:
1. Don't Look Down On Ah Man
2. They Dancing
3. De Persian Cat
4. Soca Show-down
5. Lara Again
6. Marie-Anne
7. Grenanda Will Rise Again
8. SVG I Love You
9. National Anthem Of SVG
10. De Persian Cat (Ragga Mix)
11. Grenanda Will Rise Again (Unplugged)
12. Don'T Look Down On Ah Man (Radio Edit)
13. Soca Show-down (Club Mix)
Suggested CDs:
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