If by throwing a temper tantrum for his father to teach him to play the guitar at the age of seven doesn't define a love for music, then maybe playing in a parang band at the tender age of eight does. Shawn Noel the youngest of three boys was born in Siparia, Trinidad. While attending Siparia Boys' R.C., he learned to play the guitar and the Cuatro. By age eight he was a member of his family's parang group Dulzura Caliente where his mom, Hazel Noel, was the lead vocalist his dad, Simon, was the guitarist, his brother, Selvon, was the pannist, his other brother Shedron played the box bass and Shawn of course played the cuatro. He then joined the church choir and taught himself to play the keyboards.
At St. Benedict's College in La Romain, Shawn studied the sciences, but his love for music never wavered and by form five he joined Joseph "Joey" Rivers' band, Rhythm & Moods. At Joey's studio, Shawn learned to create his own beats, and this was when his mom, realizing her son's potential, purchased a computer and some producing programs to encourage Shawn's musical growth.
By the time he graduated, Shawn then started studying to become an electrical engineer this is where he was approached by Junior of the Censation Band, he quickly grabbed at the opportunity and became the keyboardist for the band. The Censation Band had recently teamed up with Bunji Garlin and this is where he first met his first inspiration, Daryl Braxton, who at the time was producing for the vocalist in the band. Shawn let Daryl listen to some of his earlier attempts at producing, and he encouraged him to sit in on some of his recording sessions and this inspired Shawn to take producing seriously.
In 2003, the Censation Band, now known as The Asylum, was on tour in the United States and while on tour, Bunji Garlin became aware of Shawn's talents, he was producing beats using the bands equipment, Bunji invested in a laptop and it was fuel to Shawn's producing fires.
He then hooked up with Roger "Bhudda" Munroe, a well known producer from the Producer's Coalition of America (this group is responsible for producing music for some of Hip Hop and R&B's well known artists such as Queen Latifah, Busta Rhymes, Destiny's Child, and Dr. Dre). Bhudda took Shawn under his guide and introduced him to professional producing software, giving him a crash course on it's technicalities. By the end of 2003 Shawn had produced several songs on Bunji's Graceful Vengeance album, including "Warrior Cry" (Trinidad and Tobago 's Soca Monarch 2004), The Latin beats of "Snake Oil Part 2" and the soulful rhythms of "One Family". He then went on to co-produce the Nightshift Riddim, working with Machel Montano, Benjai, Gailann, Maximus Dan, Mistah Shak (his eldest brother) and Collis Durante.
In 2005 Shawn did it again, he produced two riddims that year, the Pot O' Gold and the Nutmeg Riddims, and Bunji Garlin's song "Blaze De Fire" on the Pot O' Gold Riddim again won him 1st Place at the International Soca Monarch competition. It was also in 2005 he started his very own music production company Mastamind Productions with his wife Natasha. They also produced their very first album, Pot Of Gold, featuring the songs from the Pot O' Gold and the Nutmeg Riddims.
In 2006 Shawn pulled a hat trick and produced and composed the music behind Shurwayne Winchester's Don't Stop, which won him 1st Place in the International Groovy Soca Monarch. It was also this year that Mastamind Productions started their annual Soca compilation, Da Mastamind Project, and their Christmas compilation, A Mastamind Christmas.
In 2008 He produced and composed the music for Adrian Dutchin's No Place Like Home. Which won him 1st Place in the Guyana Soca Monarch. 2008/09 also signified the start of Mastamind's singing career. He entered the entertainment arena, releasing a Chutney Soca collaboration with Soca artiste Patch, entitled Rum and Roti.
Rum and Roti, received heavy airplay and soon was a crowd favorite. So popular was the song, it showcased Shawn's ability to sing, that he was offered and excepted a position as a frontline vocalist in Shurwayne Winchester's band Y.O.U. The track also secured Mastamind and Patch finalist positions in the Chutney Soca and Groovy Soca Monarchs. His latest release "Wuk-Up Heaven", a definite summer hit, with a heavy Bajan influence has been receiving alot of great feedback and Mastamind has been performing throughtout the U.S. and Canada.
Shawn now known to many as “Da Ma$tamind” is now responsible for 14 compilation albums, his music can be bought in just about any record store and is available digitally on Itunes, Trinidadtunes and a host of other digital stores. His company Mastamind Productions plans to continue to create music, through their many voices one sound initiative, they plan to continue to promote young and veteran soca/calypso artist worldwide. Stay tuned Da Ma$tamind has Just begun.
CLICK HERE to get a taste of 'Da Ma$tamind's' views.
Catch him on Saturday June 19 when he shares his expertise during in 'The Production Booth.'
