Spiffy and jauntily decked out in black, on a sun-baked Saturday afternoon, Germaine Garland Rowe (also known as G Whizz) sauntered into TEENage sporting his brand new hair-do – a clean and neat trim from his usual braids, while gazing at the lush Observer garden.
He occasionally popped out his shiny gold-looking LG Shine, and then set himself comfortable in the chair for our interview, but not before making sure to pull a copy of his unprecedented singles (She Bad and It’s Gonna Be Alright) from his sleek brown Gucci bag.
The 20-odd-year-old Aquarian spoke mellifluous words of music, getting his name into every household and not having any plans to release an album just yet, it begins with the history of his music career and ends with his singleton status.
TEENage: How would you describe your musical style?
G-Whizz: G-Whizz is a singjay, who does conscious music. My music is like a crossover between Reggae and Pop and R&B and Soul. It also has a bit of lover’s rock flavour and like Richie Stephens said, you can’t go wrong by doing songs for the ladies, so my music is mostly for the ladies and it is also popular among the TEENagers.
TEENage: I learnt that you were born in Kingston and raised in Linstead, St Catherine. What memories do you have of those childhood days?
G-Whizz: I don’t have much memories, but I grew up with both of my parents (they have been married for 30-odd years now), seven sisters and one brother. My mother was self-employed and my father was a businessman and so he was all over the place. It was a big family. We weren’t rich or poor, but we had our struggles but my dream for music kept me going throughout them all.
TEENage: When and where did you begin singing?
G-Whizz: I started singing from around seventh grade at Vauxhall High, so that’s basically where I discovered my talent. I became the lead singer on the school’s choir and after that I entered a number of talent competitions, such as the Tastee Talent competition and Track Star, where I won first and second place. I then started to perfect my craft. But before all these, I always loved listening to music because it’s just soothing and calms me down.
TEENage: How did you make your official debut into the music business?
G-Whizz: I went to do an interview on a local cable station called Cableview TV and my present manager was watching and then called the station the day after and asked for my information and they gave me the hook-up. So I am now assigned to Millionaire Inc and Fams House Production for the past four years.
TEENage: Your new single She Bad has been dominating the airwaves. What is the concept behind this song?
G-Whizz: It’s like, I am in the club and I see a girl across the floor, she comes over to me, start seducing me and start doing things and. you know she starts to move away, so me seh she bad, but I like it. I am influenced by Usher so it definitely has a good hip-hop flavour.
TEENage: How did this song come about?
G-Whizz: You know I was in Cayman and Peter and Daniel Campbell (brothers) approached me and introduced me to the rhythm called She Bad and then I penned the song after that.
TEENage: What can we expect to see in the She Bad video?
G-Whizz: She Bad has been getting crazy rotations, so we affi do a big video for it. It will be something different and unexpected coming from a Jamaican artiste. It will feature one girl, who will definitely be the talk of the town and it will be directed by a major director you know what I mean.
TEENage: What’s behind your collaboration with Junior Reid – It’s Gonna Be Alright?
G-Whizz: The song speaks about different situations in society and the struggles and all. It’s an inspirational song and it has been getting crazy review in the street, so look out for its release by early next month.
TEENage: Any upcoming tours?
G-Whizz: It’s crazy work this year. There are also some US tours in the pipeline and fans can look for my performance at Fully Loaded this summer, ATI and some school tours and barbecues.
TEENage: Is there a special lady in your life?
G-Whizz: (puts on a timid smile) My mother. She is the special lady. I am single and available, so to speak.
TEENage: What plans do you have for your birthday on January 28, 2009?
G-Whizz: Well, Junior Reid has a club called The View: The Spot, so I am just going to invite some friends over and have a private party.
TEENage: Is there anybody who you want to say thanks to?
G-Whizz: Definitely, thanks to my management, Lloyd Campbell, John GQ, Kevin Barrett – the team behind my career right now.
TEENage: Where can your fans get the latest scope on you?
G-Whizz: My booking agency in New York at www.deebozmuzik.com.