Khayne steps into local music scene

Her sophisticated nature won’t stop her from generating a Carnival buzz this season. R&B, hip-hop, reggae, techno and dance music have all been done by T&T’s sunpop sensation Krystal Khayne. But as the island’s Carnival takes focus, the world had better prepare to experience the versatility of this super talented songbird. Khayne’s vocals are presently being plastered from pillar to post alongside that of Umi Marcano in what is certainly the height of the Carnival season. To many, this may be a bit strange, as never before has the Belmont-born vocalist ventured into the soca spotlight.

On January 9, a single entitled, Bring It, alongside Marcano, was released. The track, which was produced by Trinidad-based Mad Men Productions, is just a taste of what the young vocalist will offer for the high-energy season. Soon to come is yet another soca collaboration with HD Family member, Zan. The track, which will be called So Hot, will be released within the next few weeks. Khayne’s sudden leap into the soca spotlight wasn’t planned.

However, she felt the need to answer the call of her fan base. “Many people wanted to hear just how I’d sound, and even I was a bit curious to hear the final product,” she admitted. For Khayne – the girl who’s admired big-name artistes like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Chaka Khan all her life, the decision to do “home” was certainly a big one. She knew it was necessary to show the Caribbean that no matter what, her appreciation for her roots would never dwindle. “I had to show the world that I do have a strong appreciation for soca music. I love soca music. I love listening to it and ‘wining’ to it at parties,” she said, laughing. Khayne prides herself as a strong R&B artiste.

Having opened for John Legend on his visit to Trinidad in June 2009, her talent immediately became known and embraced. Her vocal ability led to performances at the Tobago Jazz Festival last year, and the Digicel Outta Control Tour shortly after that. Just after the New Year’s weekend, Khayne returned to Trinidad from Barbados where she lit up the stage at Carib Fest 2011. Now with all sights set on Carnival, she’s turning up the heat, stepping onto the local scene with some very hot tracks that are guaranteed to make waves this season and well into the summer. 

Currently, Khayne, who works arduously at her craft, is focused on the creation of three music EPs, which she explained, will be used to shop for international consumption in the months ahead.
She explained that the EPs, which will fuse dance music with soca, will be individually produced by three producers out of T&T, among them, the reputed Richard Charsu Ahong. In the meantime, however, she’s giving just a taste of what she’s got and what the world can look forward to, both in the Carnival season and thereafter when her crossover hits are unleashed together with the her flavourful R&B, reggae and hip-hop ballads her fans eagerly await.