Garvin ‘Scrappy’ Johnson

Internationally-renowned Soca artist, Garvin ‘Scrappy’ Johnson, was born in Trinidad. He has early memories of singing along with his Montserratian mother as she listened to her favourite artists including Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Gregory Isaac and of teaching himself to play a toy piano that she bought for him. From his Trinidadian father, he was introduced to music of a different flavour, including Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis and The Mighty Sparrow. All these artists have had an influence on Scrappy’s musical style.

At 8 years old, he entered the Montserrat talent show, Star Search, and just three years later he took the Junior Calypso Crown on his first appearance in that competition. He further honed his musical skills in Antigua during his years of secondary school there and then moved to England and attended Rising Tide Music Academy where he studied Music Business and Music Production. He developed impressive technological skills useful in creating today’s music.

Two of his early compositions, West Indian and Soca in me Blood launched Scrappy onto the UK Soca music scene and with the help of Tony Tan-Tan Cumberbatch he did his debut stage show with Fyaman Hooper, Luta and DJ Tarrus. After releasing his first album, Souljah, Scrappy returned to Montserrat in 2005 and took the Soca Monarch and Road March King titles with his song Always Home – one that touched Montserratians at home and abroad. Other titles won and honours received include:

2005 – 1^st Runner Up Calypso Monarch
2006 – 1^st Runner Up Soca Monarch
2006 – 2^nd Runner Up Calypso Monarch
2008 – Soca Music Award Nominated (Best UK Male Artist)
2008 – Calabash Awards Nominated (Best UK Soca Artist)
2009 – Soca Music Awards – Best UK Male Artist
2009 – Soca Music Awards – Best UK Soca Song (Jouvert Mornin)

Scrappy is now much in demand as a performer and has shared the stage with notable artists including Edwin Yearwood, Bunji Galin, Skinny Fabulous, Arrow, Benjai, Otis, and Hero. He has four albums to his credit and plans to have his latest project S.O.C.A. – Soul of Caribbean Artform – out by the summer of 2011.

Scrappy welcomes feedback on tracks so please feel free to email him with what you think of the music or a track specifically at (info@jmusicproduction.com) and follow him on twitter @scrappyonline”.