“One Voice” promotes unity among Guyanese

[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIh8DOuzm2E” width=”100%” height=”315″]

─ Soca artiste Vanilla’s hit resonates with viewers

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, January 23, 2019

One day after being released on her official Facebook page, Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts’ latest song “One Voice has become an instant hit with over three hundred and fifty shares and sixteen thousand views.

Seven-time Road March Queen and Soca performer Vanilla’s song tells the story of what can be achieved when Guyanese work together as a cohesive unit.

During an interview with the Department of Public Information, the versatile performer stated that the idea for the song was inspired after performing on stage and observing “nothing but unity” when looking out at the audience.

She explained that there are moments during her stage performance when “you would tell them (the audience) to say one thing, then everybody responds to that one thing, basically speaking with ‘one voice’. So, that’s how the idea for the song was birthed.”

Vanilla reflecting on the challenges faced during the production of the video, said while there were issues when it came to wardrobe, camera and even venue limitations, the end product was more than satisfactory.

“It was challenging, actually it was one of the videos I’ve had so many challenges but it goes to show that the concept of speaking with one voice is not as easy as it sounds but it is achievable.”

Roberts expressed her hope that people can take away the very clear message of unity after watching the video.

She emphasised, “we can achieve anything if we were to just speak with one voice and I am looking forward to the successes of us as a people and being able to speak as one voice and no allowing our different cultural backgrounds to separate us.”

“One Voice” is Vanilla’s entry for the 2019 Soca Monarch competition.  The piece was conceptualised after last year’s competition and was written by Burchmore Simon.

Anara Khan.

Image: Adrian Persaud.