Some people just have talent. A simple statement.True. Powerful. Dennison Ikes Joseph has talent. He was born with it, he was blessed with it, he has embraced it and many can't deny it.
Dennison attended the Delice Primary School where his budding talent was recognized with the Best Actor award three years in a row. He also received the Student Of The Year award, at one point. After primary school he relocated to the city of Roseau to start his secondary school education at the St Mary's Academy. The talent in him spoke to other talented youth in Roseau and he became a member of the Klockerz Crew. Back then he sang Reggae and RnB. In 1999, Dennison took part in the Junior Monarch Calypso show and won! He also won Mr. St. Mary's Acadmey that same year.
The budding talent was growing and would soon blossom into the powerhouse we now know it to be. Dennison, by then known as Dice joined the most popular band in Dominica, WCK, as one of its lead vocalists. He recorded his breakthrough hit "Chance" with the band- a reggae ballad telling the story of a man pleading to his lover to give him another chance at proving his love. It is a song still popular today as it was 10 years ago.
In 2002, Dice entered the calypso scene once again, but this time on the big stage. Performing his self-written song "The Truth," he made it as far as the quarter finals that year. Undeterred, he returned in 2003, and made it to the finals, with two songs written by Pat Aaron, "Tarzan in the Jungle" and "Check Your Politicians", and captured the 3rd place position. The following year, 2004, he won his first crown with the songs "Peace Is My Business", dedicated to world leaders, and the second round crowd pleaser "Animal Farm," which compared politicians to various farm animals.
Dice now had a winning recipe for success: An accomplished writer in Pat Aaron, determined focus, and the ever present talent. So it was rather fitting that in 2005 when he returned to the stage he would no longer be known as Dice, but rather King Dice. Perhaps a sign that he was meant for this title which he again captured. Always the voice of the "ghetto youth" Dice spoke for them through his song "Help My Brother For Me” The political satire “Puppet Master" exposed the usual clamoring for power by those in power which was especially fitting as Dominica was embroiled in heated election debate.
On February 25th 2006, King Dice made history by becoming the third but youngest calypsonian in 30 years to win 3 calypso crowns in 3 consecutive years, accomplishing what many veteran calypsonians have yet been able to do. "These Are The Days" and "I Eh Fraid Of Them" were the two songs he performed that night. In July 2006, he became a member of the Elite- Tri Peat Club. Along with the other two calypsonians who have won 3 consecutive crowns he received his blue 3 peat jacket from the University of the West Indies in Dominica and Pawol Inc. In 2006 he released his 13 track debut CD entitled A Little Higher, co produced by himself and his writer Pat Aaron, consisting of all his calypsos from as far back as 2003, the ever popular “Chance,” "Hold On To Cricket", a song for cricket fans all over the Caribbean, urging them to have faith in the west Indies cricket team, and a few other party tunes.
The night of February 17th 2007, Dice was definitely the crowd favorite at Idol City (named after the first 3 peat calypso king) in Roseau where he performed "Lights" and "Follow Your Leader." He placed 4th out of nine other calypsonians. Not breaking from the recipe that secured his prior wins, Dice with the help of Pat Aaron came back a year later to capture the crown with "Roll The Dice And See" and "On My Own," remaining the youngest and ONLY calypsonian to win four national crowns and five consecutive road march titles ("Tarzan"-2003, "Animal Farm-2004, "Puppet Master"-2005, "I Eh Fraid"-2006 and "Lights"-2007).
During October/November 2008 Dominica celebrated it's 30th anniversary of Independence, and it seemed Dice was every where-performing at the Official opening, at various fetes, Creole In The Park and World Creole Music Festival. Many were anticipating his songs for the upcoming carnival season, so it was a shock when he announced his withdrawal from the competition. This was the subject of debate throughout the island-in all media, and even with Dominicans abroad. Not one to forget his fans, he did perform his string of hits at Harlem Plaza on Feb. 19th 2009, and performed for the first time his latest release "To Kick". As for Carnival 2010 it remains to be seen if Dice will return to whet the appetite of his eager fans. As many people who may not like him, you will hardly hear a bad word about his performances. There goes that undeniable talent again! He made headlines in April 2009, not for music but for a skirmish with local police, and will be going to court this week on that matter.
King Dice is presently contracted as the face of Heineken Beer in Dominica. He has received several awards for his accomplishments in the calypso arena including A Young Achievers Award in 2004 from the Commonwealth of Dominica Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs, Sports and Human Resource Development for his contribution to culture. He also received in 2006 a Youth Ambassador Award from the National Youth Council of Dominica in recognition of his contribution to calypso art form and for his 3-peat achievement. King Dice has taken part in workshops and forums on the island, with several groups including the Optimist Club who's main focus is youth development. He has performed regionally in Barbados, Antigua, St Lucia, St Maarten, Tortola, St. Thomas and the French island of Guadeloupe, and internationally in the United States (New York, New Jersey, Houston) Canada, and England. In May 2009 he performed in the World Cup Of Calypso in St. Maarten along with current Dominica Calypso Monarch Karessah. Both qualified for the next round in Barbados in November this year.
King Dice is a proud parent. A mouthpiece of the poor and suffering. A leader to the "Ghetto Youth' He lives on planet earth with the goal of sharing his talent with the world. He has conquered calypso. What next? Hollywood? As they say talent can only get you so far and for King Dice I guess, that's the top of the world!
Talented performer, focused entertainer.....King Dice you are Lime certified!
Q&A
1. You are a great lovers' rock (reggae) singer. Why calypso?
Calypso is the way that I can reach the decision makers of the country.
2. You sing some very strong lyrics, that people sing word for word. Do you see yourself as a catalyst for change?
So far.
3. You are going to court soon. How do you feel about that and are there lessons you have learnt from the whole situation?
I wish I didn't have too. The lesson learned is to always be on the lookout.
4. Can you describe your ideal woman and have you met her?
My ideal woman is the one that doesn't exist-because you would want her to have everything. But love is sacrifice.
5. If you could have dinner with three people, who would they be-(describe the moment who, where,when etc)?
Barack Obama (President of America), Ben Bernanke (Chairman of the US Federal Reserve) Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, (President of Iran). We would have dinner in a third world country and we would discuss the current state of the world and how to change it.
6. If you were not singing calypso or performing, what else would you be doing?
Mastering the inner self.
7. You have achieved a lot of firsts in calypso. Any other records you want to break?
I never went into calypso to break records. It's a good thing, but I cannot ask to break records. I'll take all the good things Jah has for me.
8. What do you like to do when you are alone?
I like to activate the Observer in me.
9. What do you say to the people who say that your life off-stage is in conflict with your life on-stage?
They are wrong. It's perfect harmony. Water is liquid, earth is solid but they always meet.
10. If you could have any super power what would it be?
To be able to acquire all super powers.
Go With Your Gut
11. Juice or tea?
Tea.
12. Beach or river?
River.
13. Alicia Keys or India Arie?
Alicia Keys.
14. Massage or Meditation?
Both.
15. Knowledge or wisdom?
Both.
photo courtesy A. Antoine (Visual Art Society Of Dominica)Finish it....
16.I am inspired by the Energy.
17. I cry when there is injustice.
18. Condoms. yes.
19. Women are a blessing and a curse.
20. King Dice is aware!
Bonus: There are videos of you on YouTube as a cartoon character. What your take?
Answer: I've seen them. Stars and legends they make cartoons about, eh....
Listen to some of his hits" "Chance," "Leader," "On My Own,"" "Save The Universe, and "We Comin"
myspace.com/kingmandice
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