Trinibad deejay ‘Toppy Boss’ says fellow entertainers should be mindful of the path they choose. This comes on the heels of deejays losing their lives in Trinidad and elsewhere in recent months.
“It’s sensitive. It’s senseless. Everybody has an option—all the artistes and them who died pertaining to the streets had an option. (It’s either) to do music, or to live a gunman life. I have an option. I could be a gunman, you know, but I’m portraying the artist life. That is the choice I made. It’s kind of a sensitive topic. Some artists just want to be gunman and artists at the same time and I’m like, you cyah do that. Rest In Peace to those who died. It just goes to show you (that you should) stay on music and don’t stray at all”, he said.
The In Charge Deejay speaks directly to his fellow Trinidadian artists who loss their lives recently by the hands of the police.
“Some were killed by police, I don’t think the police knew who they were honestly— it was just a very strong coincidence. I’m talking about Chucky Blanco and Siah Boss. It was just a major coincidence,” he told World Music Views.
Chucky Blanco, who was 18-years-old died from gunshot wounds in September during a confrontation with the police in Mango Alley, Trinidad. Days later, Siah Boss was also killed by the police during a shootout with cops in Santa Cruz.
Chucky Blanco was known for songs like Nah Play, MURDER and Bad Up & Bully. Meanwhile, Siah Boss’ tracks included Facts, Double Drum and The Return.
Toppy Boss, whose given name is Jamal Augustine hails from the inner-city community of Laventille, Trinidad. A past student of Morvant Laventille Secondary School, he was motivated to launch a career after first hearing Vybz Kartel.
Toppy says the now incarcerated deejay inspired many other aspects of his life.
“He influenced me, he inspired me, he pushed me to do a lot of things including tattoos and growing my hair. I try to sound like him…he’s responsible for everything I have going on right now,”
the rising entertainer added.
Some of his biggest hits include Grim Team, In Charge, Destruction, Titanic and Boomland.
He credits “Boomland” for catapulting his career further.
“The chorus (is) catchy. ‘F**k dem. We don’t like chat we don’t beg fren. Yeah, cash money bling bling. Two gyal one time call me pin pin.’ It’s like, everybody can relate like, f**k dem, who gives a f**k? You talking ‘bout me? You pay my bills? Nah well f**k you, f**k dem and f**k everybody else…,”
he explained.
With an encouraging 715,000 views on YouTube Toppy believes he brings something unique to the music industry.
“My flow is unique. I love to laugh, I like to smile…just the flow overall. Like, if you listen to Boomland you could never copy a flow. You could never duplicate none of my songs. You may know it word for word but to be like a next Toppy? Nah,” he confidently stated.
As he works on his debut album “La Familia” the deejay says the first single will be a sequel for ‘Boomland’.
“In five years, (I see myself) on top of this game. I wanna be valuable, restricted, like it shouldn’t be so easy to get Toppy. That’s why I going so hard right now. I should be on top of my game. I should be king,” he predicted.
