Appearances

Scheduled Appearances

Contact slingshot@tropicalwaves.net for schedules, times and locations

ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS

John DrePaul receives Mayor's award
Kaieteur News: (Tues Nov 30, 2004)

US based Guyanese musician John ‘Slingshot’ DrePaul, yesterday received
the Mayor's Award of Excellence at the Mayor's office, Georgetown.
Mayor Hamilton Green gave the award on behalf of the Councilors of the
City of Georgetown, in recognition of DrePaul's outstanding achievement in
the field of music.
Meanwhile, Kaieteur News has been informed that DrePaul's collaboration
song dubbed “You Are Not Alone” has been completed and was handed over to
Desiree Edghill, head of Artistes In Direct Support. The song was compiled
by a variety of artistes in a show of support towards street children and
those afflicted by HIV/AIDS.

Other Recent Write-ups on SLINGSHOT

‘Slingshot' to defend Miami Soca Monarch crown

Internationally acclaimed Guyanese singer, John ‘Slingshot' Drepaul is preparing to participate in the 2006 Miami Carnival Calypso & Soca competitions where he will defend his 2005 Miami Soca Monarch crown.

This event will be held on Thursday, October 5 from 20:00 hrs at the Joseph Caleb Center , 5400 NW, 22nd Avenue , Miami , FL 33142 .

After placing first in the soca competition and third in the calypso segment last year, Drepaul has his sights set on acquiring both crowns.

Last year Drepaul was the first Guyanese to win the soca competition.

While in Guyana recently, the overseas-based artiste was a special guest at the Georgetown Club where on July 9 he serenaded several mothers at a Tea Party and Mothers Makeover event.

During his stay in Guyana , Slingshot was a guest on some of the local TV talk shows and radio programmes.

He also did filming for his new musical videos. From the reports reaching his fan club, the edited versions of “What Are We Fighting For?” and “Angels of Heaven” have already hit the local TV channels. Both of these videos were edited at the Brutal Tracks Studio in Waterloo Street .

On December 10, 2004, he was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation by the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce of Florida, Inc., in acknowledgement of his contribution to the 2004 hurricane relief effort.

Slingshot was very instrumental in the Guyana Flood Relief Effort, both as a performer and as the composer of the song ‘You're Not Alone', which was used during the first leg of the relief concert held in London .

In 2005 he received the “GT Lime 2005 Award for Charitable Works”, for his work with the less fortunate.

He was selected as a recipient of the 2005 Guyana Cultural Association Folk Festival Award which is offered annually to Guyanese who have made outstanding contributions to Guyana 's cultural life.

Kaieteur News, Oct. 22, 2006

'Slingshot' to play London gig in May Saturday, April 1st 2006

Stabroek News

Guyanese Soca legend John 'Slingshot' Drepaul is to make a transatlantic dash to play in the Guyana Family and Fun Day in London on Bank Holiday Monday May 29.
He will have performed as part of the 'Independence at 40' celebrations at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown just 60 hours before.
Slingshot, still fresh from having raised his 'Pirates' Masquerade Troop from the seeming dead for Mash 2006 in February is on a roll.
He plans to record in Guyana before performing and to come and wow the UK Diaspora in London.

(John Mair/London)

Unity will be the theme for Guyana Day in New York
Thursday, April 27th 2006

Stabroek News

The audience will also be entertained by popular calypso singer, John "Slingshot Drepaul", […]
Tangerine Clarke

Copyright piracy of books, recordings continues unabated, it's time to stop this lawlessness
Saturday, April 29th 2006

Stabroek News

John “Slingshot” DrePaul – A Man and His Music – Quincy Richards (Page 53-55, GEM – Guyana Entertainment Magazine - Issue 13, February/March 2006)

'Slingshot' to play London gig in May - Stabroek News, Saturday, April 1st 2006

 “… My Award for most valuable 'Exile' goes to John 'Slingshot' DrePaul - our Top Calypsonian - who has moved from his youthful days at No 63 Beach - 'Berbice River Crossing' -to entertain with his 'flag waving Calypso Commentaries - from Europe to Canada.

This last Mashramani Celebrations - he in the thick of things leading his 300 strong Pirates Costume Band.

But most significant his current calypso hit 'Pirates' brings to the forefront what 'Piracy' is doing to 'stifle, strangle and starve' our Artistes locally and abroad.  

Slingshot is our local 'Chalkdust' …” - Godfrey Chin - Nostalgia 278 - Guyanese Overseas Diaspora - March 09, 2006

`Pirates all round de place’ - Guyana Chronicle, Archives, February 4, 2006

Slingshot's ship and its buccaneers did not sail last year because the devastating floods across the coast cancelled the Republic Day float parade, but come this February 23, it will be “pirates all around de place.”

The costumes’ theme surrounds the piracy of intellectual property in Guyana and the Caribbean, and to sell the idea of sound, vision and creativity, he has brought together top costume designers Don Gomes and Derek Moore.

John `Slingshot’ Drepaul said his “pirates” theme was too good to be left to drown, and so yesterday at Le Merdien Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown, he gave members of the media a sneak peek at the costume – skeletons, eerie face masks, chains, guns, cutlasses, knives, eye patches, bandanas and more.

Slingshot and his camp are anticipating a minimum of about 500 revellers on Mash Day and will provide them with the pirate accessories.

Key to the parade would be a gigantic adventure ship being built by designer Moore, who has excelled at recent Mashramani float parades, winning top honours several years.

Gomes has taken on the task of designing a Pirate King.

With all the buzz Slingshot has been creating with his music on the radio and television in Guyana, can he mastermind stealing top honours on Mashramani Day? (NEIL MARKS)

“There was good news for a previously endangered float.

It appears that a last minute appeal for sponsorship by singer John `Slingshot' Drepaul paid off. Last week, Slingshot had sent out a press release appealing for funding for his `Pirates' float after his major sponsor had pulled out at the last minute.
 
As late as last week Thursday, the Pirate ship idea seemed to be in danger of sinking, despite partial sponsorship from GT&T.

Yesterday however, a horse-drawn cart led Drepaul and some of his crew ahead of one of the largest and most coordinated of floats.

This float arguably contained the most fully realised costuming with Slingshot's crew sporting various pirate paraphernalia, including swords, single-shot old-fashioned revolvers, daggers, eye-patches and skulls” - Guyana Chronicle

GEM – Guyana Entertainment Magazine, December/January 2006, Issue 12, pgs19, 62, 71

The Guyana Annual – 2005-2006 Issue, December 2005, pg98 

‘Slingshot’ Took Christmas Cheer To Orphans At Joshua House & St. Ann’s!; article on Caribbean Impact website.

SLINGSHOT’S ship and its buccaneers did not sail last year because the devastating floods across the coast cancelled the Republic Day float parade, but come this February 23, it will be “pirates all around de place.”

The costumes’ theme surrounds the piracy of intellectual property in Guyana and the Caribbean, and to sell the idea of sound, vision and creativity, he has brought together top costume designers Don Gomes and Derek Moore.

John `Slingshot’ Drepaul said his “pirates” theme was too good to be left to drown, and so yesterday at Le Merdien Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown, he gave members of the media a sneak peek at the costume – skeletons, eerie face masks, chains, guns, cutlasses, knives, eye patches, bandanas and more.

Slingshot and his camp are anticipating a minimum of about 500 revellers on Mash Day and will provide them with the pirate accessories.

Key to the parade would be a gigantic adventure ship being built by designer Moore, who has excelled at recent Mashramani float parades, winning top honours several years.

Gomes has taken on the task of designing a Pirate King.

‘Slingshot’ Took Christmas Cheer To Orphans At Joshua House & St. Ann’s . . . !- Caribbean Impact, Flatbush, NY

Guyanese Is New Miami 2005 Soca Monarch - Hardbeatnews.com

“… Guyanese singer John “Slingshot” DrePaul has made history by becoming the only non- Trinidadian ever to win the Miami Soca crown at the Miami 2005 Calypso and Soca competition …”

Congrats to Slingshot - Voice of Guyana International

“John Slingshot DrePaul - The Musical Icon From Guyana” – Prince De-Marthins Ojie (Page 94-95, Society Celebration Celebrity Journal Nigeria/UK Issue 17, December 2005)

“Funmi of Helena’s” – Bankole Thompson (Page 105, Society Celebration Celebrity Journal Nigeria/UK Issue 17, December 2005)

“…Guyanese singer John “Slingshot” DrePaul has made history by becoming the only non-Trinidadian ever to win the Miami Soca crown at the Miami 2005 Calypso and Soca competition …” Hardbeat News Profile

“SLINGSHOT” MAKES GUYANA PROUD AT MIAMI 2005 CALYPSO & SOCA MONARCH COMPETITION …!

Guyana Folk Festival 2005 Wordsworth McAndrew Award recipient John “Slingshot” DrePaul is the new Miami 2005 Soca Monarch after edging out a predominantly Trinidadian line-up at the recent Miami 2005 Calypso & Soca Monarch held at the Joseph Caleb Center in downtown Miami, on Thursday October 6th.

Slingshot is the only non-Trinidadian – and Guyanese – to ever win the Miami Soca crown. His composition “Pirates” as his Soca entry won the sincere admiration and eager applause from the audience, and the unanimous nod from the judges, to win the Miami 2005 Soca Monarch title. He also placed 3rd in the 2005 Miami Calypso Monarch competition, rendering his poignant composition “Why?” -- a song that brings to the fore-front the depraving and shocking nature of the crime-spree that is daily encroaching the very lives of Guyanese and Trinidadians at home.

During a wee-hour-morning victory dinner at Denny’s on Le Jeune Street, in Miami, Slingshot, after being congratulated by Dexter “Trini” Keene, the 2003 Miami Soca Monarch, and second-place winner of the 2005 Miami Calypso Monarch title, was asked to comment on his amazing and well-deserved victory. “I have made every Guyanese in the Diaspora, and at home, very proud with this crowning victory!” was his reply.

“The well- attended show was interspersed with performances by Guyanese entertainment icon, John `Slingshot 'Drepaul; the Republican Steel […]…”  (Guyana Chronicle - Tuesday September 20th 2005)

“The contest began with an opening dance and an introduction by the delegates and this was followed by a musical interlude by singer `Slingshot'…” (Stabroek News - Tuesday September 20th 2005)

“That opening sequence was followed by John "Slingshot" Drepaul, who preformed two of his most popular tunes, "Lazy" and "Golden locket"…” (Kaieteur News - Monday September 19th 2005)

“Those present at the big night will also get a chance to listen to singer Slingshot performing live, before partaking in a dinner and dance after the queen is crowned…” (Guyana Chronicle - Sunday September 11th 2005)

Slingshot recently returned from Guyana where he entertained at the Miss Guyana/World Pageant. In August 2005, he had performed for an all-Nigerian and Ghanaian SRO audience in London. When asked how he, an Indo-Guyanese, has managed to transcend the racial and geographic barriers, Slingshot smilingly indicated that “Entertainment is entertainment: regardless!”

Slingshot is slated to return to the UK in November 2005 to perform at two events: a dinner/dance fund-raiser for Jasmine Herzog, the recently crowned Miss Guyana/World 2005; and for the Miss Nigeria/UK 2005 Pageant, a Society Celebration Journal production under the watchful eye of publisher and CEO, Prince Ojie.

He has also indicated he is taking the opportunity to promote his latest CD release, MASH FEVER.

SLINGSHOT GETS GUYANA FOLK FESTIVAL 2005 WORDSWORTH McANDREW AWARD

From: BourdaMplace@aol.com
To: cocoreef@bellsouth.net
Sent: Monday, August 08, 2005 1:10 AM
Subject: 2005 Guyana Cultural Association Folk Festival Award - JOHN DREPAUL

Dear Mr. DrePaul:

On behalf of the Guyana Folk Festival, we are honored to tell you that you have been selected as a recipient of the 2005 Guyana Cultural Association Folk Festival Award. This Award is offered annually to Guyanese who made outstanding contributions to Guyana’s cultural life.

Please accept our invitation to attend the Award Ceremony in the evening of August 31, 2005, at the Rotunda of the Brooklyn Borough Hall, New York. Thirty-nine awards, one for every year of Guyana’s independence, will be presented at this function. In addition, we plan to acknowledge your contribution in both our Guyana Folk print magazine and on our website: http://guyfolkfest.org.

The Guyana Cultural Association Folk Festival Award is the fourth annual recognition of individuals and organizations. Each year there is a Festival theme and in 2005, it is Celebrating Guyanese Dance. Awardees are selected through an open process of call for nominations. A selection committee evaluates each nomination considering seven attributes in our selection criteria: Originality, scope, impact / influence, integration, pioneering spirit, challenges and achievements. The selected finalists represent exemplary models in their arts related accomplishments.

Congratulations on the award and please anticipate our telephone call by August 12th to confirm if you will attend or ask a representative to accept your award. We are eager to send your written invitation to you and ask that email your postal address to RHLammy@guyfolkfest.org. If you have any questions kindly contact our Cultural Director, Claire Goring at 718.209.5207

Sincerely,

Ronald H. Lammy, Tangerine Clarke,
Co-Chairs, Guyana Cultural Association Folk Festival Awards Selection Committee

Guyana Folk Festival 2005 Gets Underway
Hardbeatnews.com - Jackson Heights, NY, USA
... Winning stalwarts who have made contributions to Guyanese culture include […] John (Slingshot) DrePaul […]…”

Around Town Guide on What's Happening inthe Caribbean Community
Hardbeatnews.com

“Slingshot's latest CD, Mash Fever, is a must for every music lover. This CD breaks the boundaries of your typical jump up and wine style Caribbean music. Full of life, message and character, Mash Fever is a musical journey of celebration, love, friendship, dedication and of the socio-political struggles in Guyana. Come take the journey and enjoy the ride of musical satisfaction.” (The Caribbean Voice newspaper)

Guyana Festival creates a splash in Toronto

“…The events at the L’Amoreaux Community Centre were highly entertaining and included three top-class cultural shows, sponsored by Destiny Health & Wellness. The explosive duo Luther Hansraj and John Phillips hosted the shows, which highlighted many talented Guyanese artistes such as the famous Sling Shot from Miami and […] …” (Guyana Chronicle – Friday, July 8, 2005)

Guyana FolkFest Awards

Frankly Speaking -- A.A. Fenty, Stabroek News, Friday July 1, 2005

Tampa Concert for Guyana raises US$10,000 - Stabroek News, Saturday June 11, 2005

'Slingshot' entertains the orphans
Letter to the Editor, Stabroek News, May 26, 2005

Good things are happening

Letter to the Editor, Guyana Chronicle, May 25, 2005

Learn to love and give to others

Letter to the Editor, Kaieteur News, May 25, 2005

'Concerts for Guyana' on pause

Stabroek News, Tuesday, May 24th 2005

Barbados Concert for Guyana under patronage of Prime Minister Arthur

Republic anniversary celebrated at black-tie gala in Orlando

Concerts for Guyana

Concerts for Guyana (from Ohio University)

Splendid Republic commemoration ball in Florida

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Cultural Centre 2003 Annual Report (PDF)

Guyana Flood Relief Concerts

Concert for Guyana

Barbados Concert To Help Guyana

Hardbeatnews, Friday March 11, 2005

Barbados Concert for Guyana under patronage of Prime Minister Arthur

Letter to the Editor, Stabroek News, Saturday, March 5th 2005

Potpourri of tropical, exotic, sexy, fusion of cultures

Article first appearing on the Guyana Chronicle, Jan.09, 2005

Frankly Speaking - From Disaster to Disease, A.A. Fenty, February 4th 2005

Frankly Speaking - Grief and relief rhyme with thief, A.A. Fenty, January 28th 2005

Frankly Speaking - When calypsonians meet, A.A. Fenty, Friday, December 3rd 2004

Thanks to all who helped in making and filming 'You're not alone'

Letter to the Editor of Stabroek News

Celebrating our creative personalities Guyana and music at Christmas
Sunday Stabroek, Sunday, December 12th 2004

Europe and Africa to get glimpse Guyana's beauty Suzette’s `On the sofa’

Article appearing in the Pepperpot, Guyana Chronicle 31-10-04

"SLINGSHOT sings about his Sweet Island Woman"
– Tangerine Clarke
Extracted from a recent interview in
CARIBBEAN LIFE Brooklyn/Staten Island Edition,
September 24, 2002, p.39

SLINGSHOT: My music is very nostalgic. As you listen to the lyrics and the music, you yearn for the good times that you remember. Back when life was simple and daily existence innocent and trusting. I write about real things that happened to me. Every song that I have ever written contains something, someone, some event, just a little something about life as it was for me, and, by extension, to anyone … especially in the Caribbean and other developing countries.

For example, just listen to the lyrics of "Beautiful Island Girl"! (Guyana: Home Sweet Home CD). There are some lines that sum it all up. They go something like this:

Verse 3

SLINGSHOT: Presently, I’m promoting my Guyana: Home Sweet Home CD. I know that there are some problems back in Guyana. However, I do not give up on humanity. There is always some good that comes out of something bad. I am here to continue taking that little good and make it somewhat better. My music and lyrics reflect as such. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to express my thoughts to the fans and general readers. It is about time that people know the real SLINGSHOT…!