From Junior Monarch to Soca Star: Exploring the World of Aaron Duncan.
Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, Aaron Duncan’s journey into the world of music began at a young age. Like most of us, Aaron was surrounded by the infectious rhythms of calypso and soca. but he was not content with just being a listener. At just three years old, Aaron's talent shone brightly as he performed as a backup singer to his sister, a moment that sparked his musical journey.
Recognizing his innate abilities, Aaron's mother entered him into several competitions, culminating in his remarkable victory as the National Junior Monarch at the age of 6. Today, Aaron’s dedication to his craft is evident in his music and work ethic. His recent viral moment on TikTok with the song “Single” is a testament to his growing popularity and universal appeal, solidifying his position as a rising star in Soca.
In this interview, we delve into Aaron's early beginnings, his experiences balancing school and his burgeoning music career, and the lessons he's learned along the way. We'll also explore his creative process and his reflections on working with calypso legends. Join us as we uncover the story behind this young soca star and his vision for the future of the genre.
Can you take us back to the beginning and share some insights into your upbringing? How did your early life and surroundings shape your passion for music and ultimately lead you to pursue a career as a Soca artist?
Aaron: I was brought up by my parents, Sylvester & Lydia Duncan. My dad, (Sylvester) wasn’t involved in the music industry in any way; my mom, however, loved the art form. Through her, I was introduced to the music of our culture, starting with calypso and I have fallen in love with it ever since.
Building on your upbringing, can you share some of your earliest musical experiences? Were there any songs, artists, or performances that left a lasting impression on you during your formative years?
Aaron: In 2010, I sang a track called ‘Doh Waste It,’ a song that crowned me TT’s National Junior Calypso Monarch of that year, making me the youngest ever to win such a competition. That song is what started the whole Aaron Duncan conversation, and it is still relevant to my career to this day.
Tell us about your school days. Were there any specific teachers or experiences that fostered your love for music? Additionally, were you part of any musical groups or activities while at school that helped shape your musical journey?
Aaron: My school days were unlike any other, solely because I was barely there. There would have been times when I missed months of school due to performing/traveling, therefore I never built a connection/bond with any of my schoolmates.
There also weren’t any teachers who fostered my love for music. Teachers were more likely to try to discourage me from my career and encourage me to focus solely on my academics. Fortunately, my love for music came from within, therefore I never needed encouragement from outside forces. I was able to balance both my career and education in equal vigor.
Can we explore your introduction to performing? Can you take us back to the moment when you first stepped onto a stage to perform? What was going through your mind, and how did it feel to share your music with an audience for the very first time?
Aaron: Unfortunately, I can't remember what went through my mind the first time I performed because I was only 5 years old at the time. However, I do recall never being a shy person and always being excited to hit the stage. My sister was the original singer in the family before I came along; I used to be her background vocalist. But even then, I always preferred the spotlight to being behind the scenes.
Let’s talk about your victory in the Junior Soca Monarch competition back in 2010. Can you share with us the process of creating the winning song, from its inception to the performance itself?
Aaron: The 2010 Junior Calypso Monarch Competition began my journey to the top. A journey that I’m still climbing bit by bit to this day. The winning song, ‘Doh Waste It’ that I spoke about earlier was written by legendary Calypso writer, Mr. Larry Harewood. I can’t tell you how I felt winning that competition because I was six years old at the time but from watching photos and videos of the moment, I looked pretty happy!
When the moment finally arrived and you found out that you won, how did you feel? Can you describe the emotions you felt at that very moment of realizing you were the Junior Soca Monarch champion?
Aaron: After winning the competition, life changed for everyone involved in my career as we know it. Everyone, except me; it was honestly just another day because singing has been something I’ve been doing my whole life. Yes, I was happy, but ask yourself this: Would a six-year-old boy really and truly understand the depths of what happened? I think not. I guess I was living in the moment with my best friend at the time, my 3Ds!
After winning the Junior Soca Monarch competition, did you feel like a king when you returned to school and celebrated with your classmates? How did winning that competition impact your confidence and influence your interactions with your peers?
Aaron: Being in the spotlight has its ups and downs. While many were happy for me, unfortunately, some were envious of who I became. I gained a lot of admirers, but also a lot of detractors in school. My school days were a rough time, filled with both support and jealousy. It was a challenging period, balancing the highs of success with the lows of dealing with negativity from peers.
Moving from your victory, let’s delve into your transition from primary school to secondary. How did you handle the academic responsibilities of being a secondary school student while also pursuing your career as an upcoming Soca star? Can you share some insights into how you managed to balance these two important aspects of your life during that period?
Aaron: One of the rules I live by is time management. There was a time for performing, having fun, being a star; but there was even more time invested into my schoolwork. All in all, I studied just as much as I performed and I know that’s why I came out with all my qualifications.
We haven’t forgotten about your music, but we wanted to capture the essence of who you are before diving into your catalogue. With that being said, looking at the songs you’ve created, do you have any favourites that hold a special place in your heart? What makes these songs stand out to you?
Aaron: I love all my songs. I can’t choose one over the other. However, some of them were very special and impactful to my career and the household name I am today. ‘Doh Waste It’ is always resurrected when talking about my hits. ‘Can You Feel It’ brought me into the soca industry with a bang, crossing ten million views on YouTube and becoming one of my most popular songs to date.
‘Back To Basics’ became special because of the way it was born. I spent a few years away from my producer, Kitwana Israel, known as ‘AdvoKit Productions,’ and that was the song we created when reunited. Hence the name, ‘Back To Basics.’
‘Legacy,’ even though it wasn’t a mega-hit in the soca industry, is still a special song to me because of the whole experience collaborating with the King Of Calypso, Dr. Slinger Francisco, aka ‘The Mighty Sparrow.’ Collaborating with Sparrow has been a dream of mine ever since my breakthrough, and when I accomplished that dream, it was a very breathtaking and emotional moment for me.
‘Feel That’ and ‘Darlin’’ are songs that gave the public a very different side of Aaron Duncan. “The Big Man” is what they called this version of me and my music. People refused to believe that I grew up; they had, and unfortunately still have, the little boy from Juniors stuck in their heads. Kit and I decided to take the risk for Carnival 2024 and make a change.
We began the process of evolving my music from what people knew to something new! Those songs were meant to let the people know that I was no longer the six-year-old baby they saw on Savannah’s stage or the twelve-year-old boy they saw galavanting in QRC, and fortunately, it worked! ‘Feel That’ was the most viral soca song of that season, and ‘Darlin’’ was a fan favorite from the ‘Plan B Riddim.’
As you venture into adulthood and continue to make strides in your music career, how do you reflect on your journey so far? What have been some of the most significant lessons you’ve learned along the way?
Aaron: My journey so far has been a great one, filled with good times, even great times; but most importantly, it's been punctuated by challenges. These challenges have played a crucial role in shaping me into the multifaceted artist I am today.
They pushed me beyond my limits, transforming me from just an artiste into a writer, music producer/engineer, graphic designer, director, and video production editor. The valuable lesson I learned from these tough times is that what didn’t kill me only made me stronger.
Finally, as you look towards the future, what are some personal or artistic goals that you hope to achieve? How do you envision your growth and development as an artist in the coming years?
Aaron: Being a Calypso, Soca Monarch and Road March winner are some of the goals I intend to achieve shortly. I also intend to continue working on finding myself and my space in the industry. Nobody knows what’s next for Aaron Duncan, I can only hope it is greatness to come. I do know this; with God by my side, I’ll be just fine.
You can follow Aaron on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to stay updated with his latest projects and performances. His music is available for streaming on all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. Aaron's journey is far from over, and we look forward to seeing where his passion for Soca and creativity will take him next.
