Carnaval music and Claudius Phillips are practically one in the same—you just can’t have one without the other, or so it has been for more than 20 years. Also known by his stage name, “Mighty Talent,” he is the island’s foremost Carnaval music figure, winning the Road March King title 15 times and the Calypso King crown 19 times.
Though he is praised as a gifted musician (he studied at the Berkley School of Music in Boston), recognized as an award-winning composer (his shelves are filled with colorful awards and acknowledgments from all over the Caribbean), as a successful commercial artist (he has attained more gold records than any other artist in the Dutch Caribbean), it’s his captivating style and undeniable charisma that attract legions of fans. |
 |
 |
|
During Carnaval, Claudius and his band OREO (One Real Electronic Organization) cause a ripple effect of heads turning and craning on the sidelines to see his truck making it’s way down the parade route. Claudius’ telltale keyboard effects, combined with drums and percussion, bass and rhythm guitars, and a multitude of singers to join him on the mike, results in perhaps the richest Carnaval sound on the road. It’s a common sight to see Claudius jump off his truck and dance right alongside his fans with his trademark ear-to-ear grin.
|
|
Claudius has become so synonymous with Carnaval that he now has his very own Carnaval group—O.P.C. (Oreo Posse Carnaval) which debuted during Carnaval 53 in 2007. In just one year, the group nearly doubled in size, with some 350 participants costumed in the theme of Beijing, China—Summer Olympics. |
|
 |
|
Especially near to Claudius’s heart is his youth group, Whiz Kids, which he formed in 2003 and is now one of the largest in the various children’s parades. It was a natural step for the artist, who lends much of his time and talent to Aruba’s young community, often assisting young performers with advice and even collaborating to compose songs with them.
|
If you aren’t lucky enough to catch Claudius live during the Carnaval season or during one of his many stage performances throughout the year, several of his CD’s are available in local CD stores. In fact, Claudius has three exciting CD projects currently under production: the first is a compilation of his most popular ballads; the second is a new collection of songs with his band OREO; and the third is a CD with gospel-inspired music.
Claudius also enjoys performing abroad and travels to other islands, including Curacao, Bon Aire, and St. Maarten for concerts, as well as sharing his special brand of Caribbean music on the international stages of New York and Holland.
|
|
 |
|
Photo credit: Aruba Today/Bon Dia Aruba |
|
