Orlando Octave is a Trinidad and Tobago artiste whose roots are embedded in the rural Rio Claro area of the larger of the twin islands, Trinidad. Octave has been involved in music and entertainment for the past 19 years. He was born on August 6th, 1988.
The singer who is credited with numerous youth awards in music, has continued to hold his own in the field, and in early 2012, he challenged himself, agreeing to be assisted by international businessman, Richard Hope of Millionaire Records Inc, in a bid to take his music further. Orlando Octave describes himself as a ‘humble youth’. His childhood in Trinidad was filled with optimism and his father’s gentle push, accelerated his desire to be a force in the global music industry. He gives tremendous credit to his
father, Orlando Octave Snr. for molding him into the entertainer he is today. On any stage, Octave’s love for music shines through- a love that he admits was fostered from as early as the age of three. As one of six children to his parents Sharon Octave and Orlando Octave Snr., Orlando’s musical path seemed destined from a young age and so he says his parents supported his talent wholeheartedly. “My family is my life,” he utters when asked of his relationship with his siblings and parents.
Explaining that as a child he would sing on the basketball court in Mayaro, Trinidad amid adults and youths alike, Octave said there was never a time in his youth when he didn’t think he would not be a
singer. His first national appearance came in 1999 in Trinidad’s capital city, Port-of-Spain, along the Brian Lara Promenade where a local television station hosted a competition for entertainers so willing to be judged primarily by an audience of passers-by and onlookers. Orlando said it was a competition well worth his journey from the countryside into the city as he did triumph, winning himself 40 hours of recording time with a local recording studio. His musical genre of choice then was reggae, however the world was in store for a shock, as young Octave would prove that he was as versatile as he was vocally gifted.
Following that competition in 1999, 10-year-old Orlando Octave, supported by his father, entered a local Soca competition in 2010. He was however disqualified, having arrived at the venue late. He describes that occasion as one of the most disappointing moments of his young career. It was not a total loss however as Octave and his father met Soca promoter John Marcellin at the venue and the young artiste was later asked to travel to the United States. In the US, Orlando Octave entered yet another competition and won. His ability to effortlessly entertain and engage audiences of varying demographics was noticed and upon returning to Trinidad and Tobago, Octave began touring the local entertainment circuit- appearing at numerous shows and events.
In 2004, Orlando Octave, still bent on proving his capabilities as a Soca artiste, entered the Junior Soca Monarch competition in Trinidad and won the title. He had taken it with a song called, ‘Proud of Rude Boy’, which was co-written by himself and the wife of International recording artiste Ken Marlon Charles, whom he simply refers to as Carlene. He went on to take the title at another national government funded competition called Top 20 Stars of Tomorrow in 2004, and subsequently paused his music career
to focus on his education.
A student of the Rio Claro College, Orlando Octave graduated from high school with six general proficiency certificates in the field of business studies. His achievement academically would certainly
give him the initial preparation for what was to come in his life. In 2007, the young artiste- at the age of 17 resumed just where he’d left off. He penetrated hard that year, filling the local airwaves with a well promoted single called, ‘Darkie.’ It was his ‘coming out’ track- a single that made him a young idol among teenage girls and a champion in the eyes of young boys. The song was an instant hit and Orlando Octave’s reign as one of the country’s leading reggae/ dancehall crooners had begun. In nine years time,
Orlando Octave had managed to show that he was highly capable of moving between soca, reggae and dancehall seamlessly- something only few have been able to master.
Between 2007 and 2009, Octave released a number of singles, among them ‘Beautiful’, ‘Go Down Low’ with fellow artiste, D’ Angel Journey and his soon to be re-released single, ‘Disconnected.’
He subsequently teamed up with fellow artistes, Kerry John, John-Michael ‘Makamillion’ Alibocas, Jade Lopez and Trinidad producer, Mr. Spine of Holy House Production to form the Millionaire Family. His first single as a member of the Millionaire Family was called, ‘Roll Out of Control’ – a mixture of Caribbean
flavours that immediately sent listeners wild- a song that remains at the fore of Orlando’s performance, wherever and whenever he hits the stage. In 2010, Orlando Octave released a single called ‘Play Wit It/Pump It Up’. The track saw him nominated by the International Soca Awards committee for the Best New Soca Artiste award that year and while he did not win, he went on to triumph at the Top 20 Stars of Tomorrow competition that year, for yet another time.
Orlando Octave has stood his ground in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean’s music industry for quite some time. As a young entertainer in a business that proves harsh at times, he says he has suffered bruises, gotten up and is on his way to what he believes will be a true success story. In 2011, a trip to Toronto, Canada afforded a meeting with CEO of Millionaire Records Inc. and CVR Entertainment Affairs Inc., Richard Hope. Known for creating avenues for the promotion of many Caribbean entertainers, Hope approached Octave and the Millionaire Family with a plan to get them all internationally credited. Octave is the first member of the local group to be highlighted. On April 11, 2012 Octave’s line of ‘Play Wit It’ condoms will hit stores. One month later, international labels and media groups will receive the rerecorded single, ‘Disconnected’- complete with the video for the song. A full album filled with internationally produced singles and collaborations is carded to hit US, Canadian, European and Caribbean markets thereafter.
We will be speaking with Orlando live tonight at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST.
During our live interview, you have the opportunity to call in and share with us and ask questions via Skype. If you would like to do this, please call us at: doctorvibe42. If you get through, please be patient and we will get to your call as soon as possible.
All you need to do listen to the show live is to go The Dr. Vibe Show Homepage at http://thedrvibeshow.com/ tonight at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST. You can also provide your comments and questions during the event via Twitter (@drvibeshow#DrVibe) and at our Facebook Fan Page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Vibe-and-Vegas-Show/155099174532923
You can connect with Orlando via:
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God bless, peace, be well and keep the faith,
Dr. Vibe
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Orlando Octave is living his dream and with every hurdle crossed, the young artiste who holds God close to his heart, reverently gives thanks for his blessings.
