Chromatics tells how Outside Man video overcame covid19 and crime

HIP-HOP artiste and calypso singer Chromatics was all systems go last year to launch the video for his new single Outside Man. But then came the coronavirus which put plans on hold. And then after the video was eventually shot and edited the footage was stolen. But Chromatics persevered, culminating with the video premiere for Outside Man at Digicel IMAX.

The humorous video, which features cameos by calypso legend David Rudder and soca pioneer Carl Jacobs, has over 412,146 views on YouTube.

Richard Raj-Kumar, better known as Chromatics, began his speech on the February 26 premiere night sombrely by asking for a moment of silence for the country, the nation's women and for the world. He then noted those in attendance included, Attorney General and his "biggest fan" Faris Al-Rawi, Minister of Culture, Tourism and the Arts Randall Mitchell, FilmTT general manager Leslie Ann Wills-Caton, the media, fans, friends, his fiance and his family.

He then went into the story of Outside Man, and recalled in October 2019 he began looking for his next calypso contribution. While scouring the internet for inspiration he came across a very simple yet catchy rhythm on YouTube from a young producer in London named DJ Sly D Artist.

"I sat down in front of the computer and after listening to the beat the inspiration hit me, and the lyrics and the melody."

He then sang, "She say I is she outside man, woi!"

"I don't know where it come from. It came out my mouth."

A few minutes later after humming the melody he came up with, "You cyar come inside, you cyar come inside at all."

"And I knew I had something on my hands dey."

He wrote the first verse that night and went to the studio the following day to write the second verse and record. He met with a group of close artistic friends the next day and played what he had so far.

"And after their reaction and feedback, I knew we were good to go. It was only now to finish the third verse."

The next two stages were production work from Jabz Music, who added percussion elements, and "sweet" vocals and valued suggestions from Gerelle Forbes. Chromatics said the song was approaching the finish line.

"But still, something was missing to make the chorus bigger, larger."

His good friend Keshav Chandradath Singh then suggested live brass which was the proverbial icing on the cake. The song was released in early December 2019 in preparation for the 2020 Carnival season and the reception and immediate response were very pleasing.

He recalled in January 2020 a clip of his on-air live performance began going viral online.

"People were hitting me up from all parts of the world. Family members were stating they were receiving the clip from friends in England, Barbados, the Bahamas, and as far off as even China. The irony—the Outside Man had blown up on the outside."

He said in early March 2020, after a great Carnival season and with upcoming bookings in New York, Orlando, Atlanta, St Croix, Antigua and Guyana, "it was time to shoot the highly-requested video for the song in hopes of widening the reach of the song and garnering even more bookings."

Chromatics recalled the storyboard was finished, venues and locations booked, and the man to play the cuckold Jerry was cast.

"The first day of shooting was excellent. And then. And then corona in we mother-ah."

He said all his international bookings were cancelled and the video shoot had to be postponed indefinitely.

"But you see me? I's a man once I make up my mind to do something there is no stopping that. I will get it done by the hook or by the crook."

He said the team kept waiting for the right time to recommence the shoot and analysed all factors, including how to utilise venues under covid guidelines and the general comfort level of all involved.

"Come January 2021 and we now had the green light. Time to finish what we started nearly a year ago."

He added: "(But) when attempting anything great the Devil does kinda rear he head a kind of way."

He recalled the director Boomtown 868 Productions had completed the final edit on the video. When he stopped at a pharmacy, bandits broke into his car and stole his MacBook along with the Outside Man edit, his newly-purchased hard drive and several other projects.

"Pressure. Depression in the camp."

He said luckily the director had the foresight to backup the footage twice. And after editing by Wizzkydd for Slagiatt Productions the video was completed.

"And ladies and gentleman, despite it all, the obstacles and the conquering of those obstacles has brought us here today. And we get to show you the long-awaited music video."

The video stars Chromatics as the Outside Man, Trevor Mohammed as Jerry, and Vanita Dalipram as the adulterous wife. It opens with Chromatics under a bed and an unusually large number of pieces of lingerie falling in front of him. There are also shots of Double Palm Inn, and a scene of the wife showing the Outside Man a list of "the rules" in a car, including "cannot come inside", "no beach" and "no PDA." The video ends with some behind-the-scenes footage.

After the video aired, Chromatics performed live for the audience his soca Woi, his kaiso Lie Down, the as-yet-unreleased Break it Down (Cote ci Cote la), which breaks down various Trini slangs with rapid-fire lyrics, and Outside Man, though in this performance he swapped a reference to "MovieTowne" to "IMAX."

He told the audience their attendance meant a lot.

"The entertainment industry, the country, as a planet we've been through a lot. To share this is a blessing."

He said he had planned to put out a lot of music for the season but "life get in the way".

"I have things in the kitty to prepare for a 2022 Carnival. We will party hard but responsibly."

Chromatics also reported he had a planned collaboration with Olatunji and he planned to be back in Kaiso House next year.

"I encourage people to come in the tent. I don't think people understand the value. It is a good representation of what we have. Our culture is way bigger than jam and wine."

He added in the calypso tent there was a lot of young talent.

"So go fete. But also watch some stickfighting and go to a tent."

After he spoke the Al-Rawi expressed high praise for the artiste.

He told him: "You represent the intelligence, the talent, the old school, new school, everything. And I want to pledge my support for you publicly as you know. Randall Mitchell is here with me as well. We wouldn't miss tonight for the world. You are world-class."

He explained that what happened to Carnival this year (with the cancellation) allowed for a lot of preparation and launching.

"And if I have my way I see you in a large future, and I want to encourage you to never stop shooting for all that you shoot for. God bless you my brother. You are a star."