TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SINGER BEGINS HER SOLO JOURNEY AFTER 13 YEARS WITH THE A TEAM BAND
Trinidad and Tobago artist Kerlz has spent more than a decade building her name in the music industry. She started singing in church, explored jazz and R&B, and later found her voice in soca. After 13 years performing with the A Team Band, she is now stepping out on her own as a solo artist. In this interview, she discusses her journey, creative process, and plans for the 2026 carnival season.
You started singing in church before moving into jazz and eventually Soca. How did the journey influence where you are now?
My journey from starting in church and then doing jazz and other genres of music, to soca, I would say, was a smooth one. Because I started in church, singing in front of congregations and representing the church in gospel concerts and similar events, it has helped me perform in front of large crowds. And then with the jazz, having started in church and doing jazz, and obviously R&B as well, those genres helped groom me vocally.
Some of the things I learned at that time I was able to apply while singing soca, but with some things I had to learn when it came to soca because I could not R&B soca. I have to lavway de soca, that way put de bacchanal in soca and stuff like that.
So that was something I had to adapt to, learn, and gravitate to very quickly. It’s safe to say that is how it influenced my journey to where I’m at now.
Can you share more about the moment Ziggy introduced you to soca and what drew you into the genre?
When I met Ziggy, I had actually posted a video of me singing At Last by Etta James on Facebook, and that is when Ziggy contacted me. We started talking. He asked me if I had ever auditioned for a live band before. I told him no. He asked me if I sing soca. No, I never sang soca professionally before; it was just at home. And I told him yes, and he invited me to audition for the band. I went, auditioned for the band, and the rest was history. I got the seal of approval, and everything was a go from that moment. So, I still want to say thanks to Ziggy for opening that door for me back in 2012.
After 13 years with the A Team Band, what inspired your decision to embark on a solo journey at this stage in your career?
I decided to embark on my solo career because I reached a point where I wanted to create my own story, my own brand as an artist and not just as a band member. This way, now, would give me a bigger opening to work on my own story and do what I want. So that was the main reason I decided to make that change: focus on me, focus on my brand, and get people to know me as Kerlz the artist. So they’ll know that hey, this girl has been releasing music since 2012. A lot of people don’t know that, because they see me in a band, so they can look at my crafts now.
Looking back, what moments or performances with the A Team Band do you cherish most, and how have those experiences shaped you as an artist?
I have had many great experiences and moments with the A Team Band. It’s hard to narrow down to just one, but I had some really great times, and those times helped me become the artist I am today because we drilled a lot, we practised a lot, and we had constructive criticism, and those constructive criticisms helped groom me to be the artist that I am today.
Tell us about your track Always. Will you consider that as your hit song?
I fell in love with that song from the first time I heard the demo. Shouts to Kit Israel, who wrote the song, and also to Smilus from Antigua. With
Always, the message was very well received because a lot of people loved the song from the moment I released it. So yes, Always, was definitely a hit song. It did pretty well on the airwaves. It did pretty well getting to the listeners as well.
Your recent single Medicine features Ding Dong and Salty. Can you walk us through the creative process behind the track and what message you hope listeners take away from it?
Yes, Medicine. Shout-out to Ding Dong for putting me on the project. The creative process wasn’t hard. Being in the room with the writer, Emmanuel Rudder, and the producer as well. Shout out to Richard Gosine of Golden Era Productions. We all sat down and started talking about how I should sing the song and how people were supposed to feel when they heard it. So it was really nice, well expressive, and fun when we were in the studio.
By the time I had to put the vocals on, it was chalk and cheese: even though the key was a bit lower than what I was accustomed to, I was still able to make it sound the way it was supposed to. With the help of Emmanuel Rudder, who told me, “Kerlz, sing it a little more laid back, sing it a little softer.” He basically was guiding me as well.
Now, the message people could take away from the song “Medicine” is that medicine can be anything you desire. And to narrow it down to carnival time, soca is the medicine that is needed. We need the medicine. That could be the message there. Whatever you desire that makes you happy, makes you joyous, especially when it comes to carnival time. People have rum as medicine, soca, and liming. Anything that makes you feel you need to have a good time, that is your medicine.
What challenges have you faced as a female soca artist in Trinidad and Tobago’s evolving music landscape?
One challenge that I experience, I have a few, but one thing is balancing my regular life with the life of an artist. That is something, especially when you have to be at more than one place at the same time. That is a challenge. Balancing motherhood and my career was definitely a challenge, but my family’s support was invaluable.
Who has been your biggest musical influence, both locally and regionally?
Locally, I would say Machel Montano and Destra. Fay-Ann as well. And internationally, I look at a lot of artists, coming from R&B to Afro. For example, Lauryn Hill, Ciara, Beyoncé, Teyana Taylor. Afro is Tems and Tiwa Savage, so the list goes on.
With Medicine already gaining momentum, what can fans expect next as you prepare for the 2026 Trinidad Carnival season?
Fans can expect more appearances from me as I prepare for the 2026 carnival season, because now I have to let them see me as a solo artist, definitely. More visuals, I am going to be releasing more music as well. It might be one song or two, I’m not too sure as yet, based on the vibes. So fans can look forward to that and seeing me in some events as well.
What are your hopes for the next chapter of your musical career, and how do you envision your growth as a solo act regionally and globally?
My hope for this next chapter is to step fully into my voice as a solo artist. Create music that is my vibe, keep doing music that is my vibe, and let people see me for who I am as an artist. I also want to do some more collaborations, both in Trinidad and throughout the Caribbean. Also expanding my reach through visuals and more performances.
What advice would you offer to other artists facing a big transition or considering pursuing a solo career?
My advice to other artists facing a big transition or considering a solo career is to go for it! Do what your heart desires, what your gut is telling you to do. Sometimes you may question it, but as the saying goes, there’s no risk without reward. Use your own instincts.
Also, there was a quote I heard a couple of years ago. It said that if you remain in your comfort zone, you will not go any further. Sometimes you have to get uncomfortable when you’re pursuing something. If you’re going to be comfortable, chances are you’ll never reach it. So sometimes you have to take a leap of faith towards something that you really want to achieve and go at it. Please put in the extra work and stay at it. That is the advice I would give to someone making a change like that. No risk, no reward.
Where can our readers connect with you on social media?
Readers can connect with me via Instagram. That is Ms_Kerlz. Facebook is Kerlz Music as well. X is Ms_kerlz. For bookings, they can contact +1 868 309 3985 or email [email protected].
