Hypasounds’ solo music and his productions blared on stages across the world in 2024, and he has no plans of slowing or toning it down while furthering his career and representing Barbados.
“It was a great year. I toured a lot more in 2024. This year, I will be celebrating [19] years in music, so that will be a year short of two decades and that is a big thing,” he told Weekend Buzz recently via cellphone, before taking the stage in St Kitts for Sugar Mas 53, which ended yesterday.
Hypasounds, 42, whose real name is Damian Etienne, is known for hits such as How She Like It, Sugar Rush, Dutti, Get Up And Move, So Good, Roll It and Feh Sa.
A finalist in the Sweet Soca Monarch, he also doubles as a show promoter and producer with his Boommuzik brand.
Last year, he visited several cities in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and CARICOM states such as St Lucia, Dominica and Trinidad while adding new ones Guyana and St Kitts to his list.
After the St Kitts show, the entertainer will be preparing to head back on the road.
“We have dates booked right up to Crop Over and there are others still to be confirmed,” Hypasounds said.
Touring is a critical part of the business which he says he does not take for granted, adding he ensures his music is of high quality.
“Touring is very important because you get different vibes to connect with different cultures, touch base to see how the music is actually doing. The quality of the music, relationships and groundwork are very important,” he said.
When Hypasounds is not performing solo, he’s in the background producing for other artistes.
His most recent release was Serenade, ahead of Crop Over 2024.
“I released my third riddim – Serenade – which featured me, Leadpipe, Saddis and Grateful Co, and that went absolutely great,” he said.
Leadpipe sang Water Park, Saddis did Excited and Grateful Co performed On She Way.
While he plans to release another production, Hypasounds, this year, he will be putting more effort into developing his brand.
“I’m going to release one riddim that I already started, but I will be doing more singles and I will be focusing more on Hypasounds for 2025.”
He will also be focusing on promoting his own show, Soca For Her, which he began in 2019.
Although it was not staged last year, he said this year it will allow him to showcase his extensive catalogue.
“Getting booked for events, sometimes you only get ten or 15 minutes, but because of the amount
of years that I have in the business, my catalogue has grown.
“Sometimes it is very hard for me to choose the best six or ten songs to perform when I have 40-something songs to perform and at least 25 to 30 popular songs. So promoting a concert works for the brand, because the fans get a chance to come out and hear the music and I don’t have to rush to get their favourite song. It’s a win-win for everybody,” he said.
He is aiming to stage the event in June.
