Erphaan Alves

Erphaan Alves was born on 23rd November, 1991 and lives in Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago. He attended Rosary Boy’s RC School in Port of Spain then went on to St. George’s College, Barataria. He began his singing career at the age of nine. He put ‘his foot’ into the calypso world of competition at primary school when he participated in 2001 and won with his upbeat rendition, “Carnival Time”.

He
went on to win that competition for three consecutive years (2001-2003). In 2002, he was the Xante Calypso Monarch. In that same year he was a finalist in the Junior Soca Monarch Competition and also copped the award, “Most Promising Calypsonian” in the Eastern Credit Union Calypso Competition. Erphaan has also entered Music Festival in the Boys Under 13 Solo Category in 2002.

Erphaan was a finalist in the last of the Twelve and Under Series in 2003 and was awarded the Special Prize. In 2004, he was the 1st runner-up in T&T Idol Calypso Competition and was again a finalist in the Junior Soca Monarch Competition. He was a finalist in TV6 Sound Stage Competition where he won the People’s Choice at the semi-final leg.

2005 had been a great year for Erphaan. He won the Is We Community Developers Calypso Competition and his song was adjudged the best party song. He was the 1st runner-up in TUCO National Junior Calypso Monarch Competition. His song, “One Caribbean” was also adjudged the best party song. Additionally, he won best East Zone performer and best secondary male performer at that competition. Erphaan placed 2nd and was awarded the prize for most original calypso at the Chaguanas Borough, Secondary Schools Calypso Monarch Competition.

In August 2005, he participated in TSTT Party Flava Face Off Song Competition where he placed second. When Erphaan is not competing, he makes guest appearances at various functions. In 2005, he appeared as a guest at the Sweet Voices Calypso Show, Ministry of Health Community Caravan, Edinburgh 500 Community Cultural Group Fashion Show, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Junior Calypso Monarch, and Miami Junior Calypso Monarch and Junior Carnival.

To date Erphaan has attained Grade (5) Theory of Music with Distinction. He attends Music classes twice per week and is the lead male singer of his school’s Parang group. In November 2005 and 2006, the group placed 2nd in the Secondary Schools Parang Festival and he was adjudged the best lead vocalist. Additionally, in 2005, he was one of the six finalists vying for soca stardom in the Soca Star Competition hosted by Synergy TV. Although he was the youngest competitor, Erphaan won many fans from the viewing audience. The exposure from this competition created a growth in his popularity.

In 2006, Erphaan placed second in both the Sunshine Snacks National Junior Calypso Monarch Competition in which he won the prize for best lyrics; and the Junior Soca Monarch Competition. He was also a finalist in the Scholarship Competition of Talented Teenagers (SCOTT). Also, he performed at many parties for Carnival 2K6 as well as functions held in honour of the Soca Warriors.
In 2007, Erphaan was adjudged Monarch in the Trincity/Petit Juan Lyons Calypso competition. He also placed second in Junior Soca Monarch Competition and fourth in the Sunshine Snacks National Junior Calypso Monarch Competition. He has also been a member of the Sunshine Snacks Junior Calypso Roving Tent from 2005-2008.

Erphaan’s dream finally came through in 2008 as he was crowned the National Junior Soca Monarch. This victory allowed him to participate as a guest at the International Power and Groovy Soca Monarch Competitions on Carnival Friday night at the Queens Park Oval. This event was broadcasted live on the internet. He continued his winning ways as he also won the Chaguanas Calypso Monarch for the first time. He also was a guest performer at St. Vincent Junior Soca/Calypso Monarch competition in July.

Erphaan displayed his versatility, by copping the ‘Best Male Lead Singer’ in the National Schools Parang Competition on 23rd November. Indeed, it was also a well deserved birthday gift.

In January 2009, Erphaan was awarded for Excellence and Outstanding Achievement by the National Youth Action Committee in the “TOP 20 STARS OF TOMORROW AWARDS 2008.” Additionally, Erphaan was selected as a semi finalist in the International Groovy Soca Monarch and he also regained his title as the Junior Soca Monarch with his winning song, ‘Musical Journey”. Throughout the year Erphaan continues to create new music. He has already completed “Social Mobility”, “Girl You Know” and “Rain”; all positive messages directed to the youths in society.

Erphaan's track "The Way You Wiggle" was released last month, and is doing well for St. Vincent Carnival 2011. The track was produced by Megga Wattz Productions of SVG. This link was created by Soca Artiste "Problem Child" who Erphaan did a remix to his 2011 Trini Carnival song "All Over Me"(Produced by Erphaan as well). The relationship between Erphaan, Problem and other Vincentian musicians continues to positively grow,much more collaborations are surely due in the future.

Besides singing, Erphaan has recently ventured into the Songwriting business. Alothough he has been writing on his own music for quite a while, his first lyric sale was to Jr. Soca Monarch winner Timel Rivas, entitled, "We Time Again". Soca hits for Carnival 2012 like “Precision Wine sang by Kes Dieffenthaller , “Take You Home and “Doh Friad” sang by Machel Montano were also written by Erphaan. Currently he is working with top local producers preparing his songs and material for other prominent artistes in the industry. Erphaan is a well rounded musician, as is confidently on his way to taking soca to the world!