Dani-O: Ms. Ragga Soca

By Monique Reuben

The world may not know her yet, but soca singer Dani Ollivierre, known as just “Dani-O” to her fans in her native homeland of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is ready to make a name for herself outside her homeland.

“I’m currently working on crossover music right now,” the 24-year old beauty says when Island Vibes Magazine (IVM) caught up with her for a video interview at the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL. “Really slow vibes music that is associated with Carnival but at the same time you can play it up in the clubs in America, Europe, all over the world. Something like, Kevin Lyttle ‘Turn Me On,’ that kind of vibe. I love my culture and that’s where I come from, but I really want to hit that market.”

The market she speaks of is, of course, the U.S. market, which some soca stars like Lyttle have been able to tap into.

All one has to do is listen to Dani-O on “Love Tonight,” as she holds her own with soca star Maddzart to see her potential appeal overseas. Her voice is fresh, sweet and airy, yet it has range. She can easily make hooks stand out on a track for other artists or fly solo.

Dani-O beams with gratitude as she recounts how she entered the music industry three years ago. “It all started with Miss SVG (Miss Saint Vincent and Grenadine),” she says. “I did not win, but participating in the pageant…I realized and people realized how much talent I had…that I could sing and dance. That I was multi-talented. “

Participating in the Miss SVG competition at Vincy Mas 2006 built her confidence and two years later she was ready for seconds on an SVG. Dani participated and was crowned in the SVG Ragga Soca Monarch competition and this time she was crowned Ragga Soca Queen 2008, winning for her song, “Gimme Mo.” From there she hooked up with soca producers Max Cyrus of Master Room Studios and Andrew Sutherland of After Dark Studios, who have been guiding her career ever since.

Her musical inspirations are far-reaching, covering almost every genre. Skinny Fabulous (who, along side Dani, won SVG Ragga Soca King 2008), Machel Montano, and Alicia Keys are just a few musicians that she admires. “A lot of my inspiration even comes from gospel music as well. I’m not only a soca singer. I try to hit every range of music, every genre of music—r&b, hip-hop, soca,” she explains. Her love affair with Keys is noticeable as she belts out Keys’ “Like You’ll Never See Me Again,” giggling uncontrollably during the interview. That’s what’s beautiful about newbie Dani-O, she isn’t afraid to show her fun-loving side, even with a camera in front of her.

For more info on Dani-O, visit www.myspace.com/danielleollivierre

(Monique Reuben is a contributor to Island Vibes Magazine and writes about Caribbean culture, entertainment, and social issues. For comments, please feel free to contact her at monique@islandvibesmag.com.)