The Wowski duo does it all

Hasani Walters, Gleaner Writer

Music and euntreprenuership are the watchwords for the Wowski movement.

Ricardo McCalpin and Garth Whyte, who make up the Wowski duo, have had their eyes set on music for quite a while, but they are also astute businessmen.

Wowski's latest business venture is the Wowski Jerk Centre & Bar which had a grand opening on Friday, April 1.

Among the company's other businesses are the Wowski clothing line and barber shop.

Their drive to be good musicians and good at their other businesses was developed early in their lives, according to Whyte.

"From I was a child my father was a musical person. I started out rapping at first. It was when I met with some producers that I made the switch to reggae. I was always business-oriented too," Whyte explained.

According to McCalpin, musical inspiration came from God, as well as reggae artiste Sizzla Kalonji.

Like Whyte, McCalpin also simply has a knack for business.

McCalpin said he believes that it is soon his time for stardom as he recounted his days at the Hope Valley Experimental School with The Gleaner.

"Mi remember this talent show at school, me, Assassin, and Mr Peppa mash it up. Assassin did come first, me second and Mr Peppa third, dem buss now suh a my time. The whole a wi guh di same primary school. A time now fi show seh the competition was very real," he said.

Overseas attention

Their most popular song, Solution, a collaboration with young artiste, Influential, has helped to garner the attention of overseas record labels and they are now working on their debut album New Beginnings with the Crowd Control label located in Germany.

Songs such as Praises To The Lord, Picture and Double Trouble are to be included on the 15-track album.

They have worked with several local and overseas producers such as Kamal Briscoe of Big Links Production who produced High Grade, and Italian native Alborosie who produced Political War which has been in rotation on radio stations throughout France, Germany and Italy.

The two have three music videos to their name, the last of which is being edited in Germany and is to be released soon.

They have performed at West Kingston Jamboree and have been on the roster of artistes on Newstalk 93 FM's garrison tour.

"Wherever wi perform wi know seh di people love wi. Wi guh some a di roughest garrison weh nuh fraid fi boo people and come out wid applause," said McCalpin.

On the road

They are to go to Canada in August for a few shows and European engagements are also on the cards.

A revamp of the clothing line will also be done this summer.

"Wi have a whole line designed, but the main problem is a lack of funding. Wi have everything, from suit to underwear, t-shirts, caps, wi have it all," said Whyte.

And if you think that is the ends of it, think again. McCalpin has also written a book about what it is like for a young person growing up in Jamaica's garrisons titled, Overcoming Life's Challenges, which was published in Canada.

McCalpin plans to revise the book and republish it in Jamaica soon.