EMRAND HENRY

EMRAN HENRY

emrand His big break came when he was the first St. Lucian to win the Cable & Wireless Starquest competition. He made is big mark when he sang "What is going on?" at the Starquest show where he got a standing ovation from many persons, fans and non-fans alike. Mr. Henry continued to bless St. Lucians with his music long after Starquest as his tracks remain immortal and indestructible. Emrand Henry has become a household name and a dear friend to many individuals.

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Millet has always been a quiet little hamlet in the quarter of Anse La Raye. But not any more. Things changed for Millet from Monday, September 22, 2003, when one of their own, Twenty four year old Emrand Henry was declared the winner of the first ever Cable & Wireless Star Quest. "In Millet," Emrand said, "everybody was out on the streets after they announced I was the winner. The young people, especially, they went crazy. They came out with tamboos and they were jumping up and celebrating." Another sleepy picturesque community, Fond St. Jacques in Soufriere, also had a lot to be happy about, since that is where Emrand was born.

But perhaps he is remembered more for his mischievous antics than his singing, as he left for his father's home in Millet when he was quite young. By the time he had got to the Vide Boutielle Secondary School, Zepherinus Emrand Henry, was already an adept songwriter. He penned his first lyrics in standard two, a love song dedicated to a girl he had a crush on. At age thirteen, he dedicated his life to God and started singing seriously in church. Aware that he had to go where the secular youth are, as if he wanted to reach them, Emrand started to concentrate on writing Reggae Gospel. He gradually won over the youth of his church, who could not understand his secular thrust at first. He later gained experience singing in church in Trinidad, and other shows in St. Lucia.


By the time Emrand had come to know about Star Quest through a friend, he was ready, and confident of his chances. "I have a unique personality and approach to music," he told the Star. "Plus I write my own material. My voice is also one that people can sit and listen to and feel soothed." The unique combination indeed won the hearts of the judges at the Star Quest Finals, and the votes of 8,498 members of the public who called Cable &Wireless and sent in text messages in the days following. "What is going on?" a song penned by Emrand Henry was the more popular of the two he sang at the Star Quest Finals. It is a Gospel Reggae piece that he has recorded as part of the winning prize of Star Quest, a recording contract. Other aspects of his prize include EC $10,000, and a trip to New York where he will visit BET studios. At present Emrand works as an office assistant at the French Embassy. He released his first album, "A New Song" in the month of April 2003. In 2004, he released a single called "Revolution" and in 2005 another single called "Still Standing". Both of these songs are making an impact on the Christian community in St.Lucia. Emrand is presently working on his second album, "No Retreat, No Surrender", which is schedule to release in 2006. This diverse album will feature Emrand's vocals with hard hitting soca tunes, dancehall, hardcore reggae, roots, and raga. Emrand has ministered in many Caribbean countries, including St. Vincent, Dominica, Trinidad, Barbados, Tortola BVI, St. Kitts and Grenada. "I thank God for the many opportunities he has given to me, to impact onto other young people of the Caribbean". In his few years of ministering, Emrand has shared the stage with the likes of renowned gospel artistes Chevelle Franklyn, Christian Massive, Sherwin Gardner, Jadee, Tiko and Gita, William Paul and other artist like Kenny Rogers, Maxi Priest and Kassav. He also got an opportunity to perform live at the opening of St.Lucia's biggest music festival, Jazz Festival. More than a singer, Emrand is a young man who God is using as a Psalmist and also in the Prophetic ministry. He is a member of the Deliverance Pentecostal Church at Babonneau, a member of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies. His Pastor, Rev Robert Marquis and wife are very supportive of his ministry along with the church members. Emrand's heart is focused on spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ and seeing young people on fire for God.

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