Virgin Islands Featured Artists: Denver Straker Jr
Denver Straker Jr. is our latest featured artist, who previously went by the stage name "Nuggetz." The name originated from his time in the Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra in the summer of 2011. When he was first introduced he was on a first name basis only. It was given to him as "Nuggets" but he decided to change the "S" to a "Z." In later years while still being apart of the Rising Stars family he received the opportunity to play for various artists around the Virgin Islands. Straker then decided to take things up a notch when he was informed that many of our successful artists in the VI started of being apart of The Rising Stars. (Swanks, Pollo, Aj Ventura, Pancho, etc). In the summer of 2014 he began gathering a group of individuals to create a band (Futuristik or FAO for short). The group went through their fair share of down falls and misguidance over the years. However in 2016 they were fortunate to have encountered "Kleon Gaskin" who they referred to as pops to lead them in the right path. Soon Futuristik became a well known teen band. Every teen event offer they received they accepted the opportunity to perform. They also participated in The St.Patrick's Day Parade and the Crucian Christmas Festival Children's Parade. In 2017 we were devastated with two back to back hurricanes, and in turn majority of them band's members decided to relocate to the mainland. Denver and Lincoln "Links" Duncan Jr. were the last members standing. As their senior year passed them by, no events were being held as much until it was graduation season. Suddenly he and "Links" were invited to perform at an event. It was an unfamiliar feeling performing without the rest of the gang. They were labeled as a Duo after that performance. Later that year he "Straker" moved to the United States to full fill his military career. He was constantly asked about his music involvement from numerous fans upon moving. Denver came up with the bright idea that he should make a music group again. That's when HQ42 (Head Quarters 42) was born, he made this group, because he realized that youths his age are never given that chance to really showcase their talents. In May of 2019, the artist visited home on vacation, he and Links dropped an Ep together called #AWLWU (Ah Whole Lotta Wuk Up. This was the perfect time to introduce the HQ42 to the Virgin Islands while they were being interviewed on Bush Tea and Palm Trees. Trevor Saldana was then introduced as the manager. Davenee #DTD James was also introduced. Denver also changed his name from Nuggetz to Nuggz to fit a more sophisticated lifestyle.
On this project he had the opportunity to work with one of the former band members, Jecoix “Guzzo” Gittens, as he produced 2 of 4 songs. On this EP he had Tyriq “Riiqo” Derima (Producer) and Gilbert “Gillos” Roberts (Singer). As the year progressed, the artist worked with many off and on producers. They then presented their first single as a group “Carnival Mood” for the Crucian Christmas Festival 2019-2020 where Denver had the opportunity to perform it with SAVAGE FESTIVAL on King Street. Also, he was a part of a compilation produced by Dorian “Baby Musik” Euzebe, where he wrote a song, Too Young, portraying the message that he has behind HQ42. HQ42 is growing every day, and they can’t wait to introduce the new content and members. The best things about being an artist is being enabled to connect with fans and spreading a message that is always talked about and never executed. “Give the Youth Man them the mic.” was once said by R. City. Difficulties that he has faced as an artist is the lack of resources and guidance people are willing to give. He solely feels like whenever someone has something going for them, they tend to forget that they were in the same shoes once upon a time. Also, we as a particular age group are already looked at with the mindset that our music isn’t up to par with other artists in the Virgin Islands or shouldn’t be heard. His best performance is a hard decision between Denver's first performance ever with KM1 during a spring break play out and recently an international competition “Soca IG Star Live” where he placed 5th overall. It's very hard to choose. People the artist looks up to would have to be Pumpa, Erphaan Alves, and Teddyson John. He mostly picked up most of his clothing style from Pumpa. In May 2019 when he was traveling from home, and he came in contact with Erphaan Alves, his music is mostly from an underdog perspective which somehow defines him. Teddyson John his style of music inspired to write the way he writes because, instead of just writing nursery rhymes, he actually creates stories that people can relate. As for what inspires him would have to be his WHOLE family, because once upon a time they thought his music involvement was a joke. Hearing them now saying that they’re PROUD of what he's doing and the message he's spreading is to LIVE FOR! COVID-19 affected both my team and I,(Quotes from Denver Straker Jr.) in ways that we couldn’t expand with the plans and goals we had set for the year 2020. On the bright side, social media (Instagram) has been good to me, being a part of a Trini based Competition. The artist Placed 5th Overall and that achievement alone had a great effect on my music career. Denver was only 1 of 2 outsiders that made it pass the preliminary round. Then he was the only outsider to make it to the finals. After COVID he and the team has their eyes set for the next carnival season, starting with St. Croix. They also made connections with the 3rd place winner of the Soca IG Star Live, Sackie the Artist, down in Trinidad and they have much music on the way together. Follow them on All Social Media Platforms. Facebook: HQ42 Instagram: @hq42team Soundcloud: HQ42 STAY TUNED FOR CARNIVAL GIVEAWAYS.
Written By: Minoca A.
Information provided by: Denver Straker Jr.
Pc: Denver Straker Jr.
