Pink Pen Project Empowers Female Performers in Crop Over's 50th Anniversary Celebrations

Among the National Cultural Foundation’s (NCF) initiatives for Crop Over’s 50th anniversary is the Pink Pen Project, spearheaded by accomplished songwriter Shana Hinds.

Speaking at the Season of Emancipation and Crop Over 2024 Media Launch at Ilaro Court on Friday night, Hinds acknowledged the uphill battle faced by women in entertainment. She said, “As female artistes in the music industry, we are expected to work 10 times harder.”

The Pink Pen Project has provided a nurturing environment for seven female performers to hone their craft, receiving coaching on songwriting fundamentals, the music business and branding. They are in the process of recording the track they co-wrote with Hinds, using beats created by Adaeze and Kimberley Inniss, specifically for the festival. The participants included Shanta Prince, Reniece Bonnett, Yahandje Daniel, Miracle Rice, Shontae Alleyne-Clarke, Summa Davis, and Kereesa Chase.

Hinds said, “I am beaming with pride at the progress of all the participants that they have made from never finishing or never writing a song at all to effectively structuring full songs and sharing their true authentic messages.” She said, “Above all else I hope that they have learned the power of understanding your craft and how that can help you to soar higher.”

She added, “This is just the beginning, not only for Pull De Trigga Records, but I see an upward trend of programmes, workshops, and all kinds of developmental things from the NCF.” She noted, “We want to empower Caribbean artistes and Bajan artistes and show them what this little rock has to offer. We are starting with the Pink Pen Project.”

Caribbean Soca Queen Alison Hinds echoed the sentiment, stressing the need for a robust support system to uplift female artists. While highlighting that she continues to make her mark on the world stage, she admitted, “When it comes to females and soca and Barbados it’s just me, and for me, I want to help to develop the female artistes coming out of Barbados in particular.” With a laugh, she added, “I want lil company man. I want somebody that is young and vibrant and exciting, and we have it. But our female artistes, they just need the material, they need the encouragement, they need whatever support that can be given.”

Alison Hinds pledged to establish her own support programme in partnership with the NCF, ensuring the success of participants. She emphasised the importance of society rallying behind these young women, providing the encouragement and resources they need to thrive. She said, “I take it as my personal vision to be able to support these female artistes and give them that encouragement, and whenever you see them give them the encouragement.”

Shanta Prince expressed her appreciation for the programme, telling Barbados TODAY, “I am truly enjoying the experience.” Prince admitted struggling with completing her own compositions. “I probably lost some confidence in my writing ability,” she confessed. “But this project has helped me to build back up that confidence, get more involved with the structure, creating different melodies, and where I want to go and how I want to tell the story.”

The vocalist found fulfilment in connecting with her fellow participants through their shared aspirations and the determination to overcome industry challenges. “The fact that we are all in a transition stage, for instance Tae is coming from Junior Monarch and she is becoming a young lady, myself I am becoming older, so just how you are embracing being a woman in this industry, how you want to be seen and how you want people to hear you.”

The music they have produced through the initiative reflects their diverse perspectives. Prince emphasised, “I am hoping that this kind of initiative will continue to help other artistes that may have difficulties or struggles with their writing process, especially when it comes to the ladies.” (STT)