Rising Star Angele Smith releases first video

Paul H. Williams, Gleaner Writer

The rise to a successful singing career can be propelled through many channels, such as talent contests. Digicel Rising Stars is one such. It gives wannabe singers a chance to expose themselves to the public and a platform on which to showcase their talent.

But, over the years, after being voted off the show, that's the very end of the road for many contestants. Even some of the eventual winners are so low-keyed, you ask yourself, 'What's the point?'

However, one former contestant who has no intention of disappearing from the music scene, though only making it to the top six, is Angele Smith. After his 'un-amazing' rendition of Deniece Williams' God is Truly Amazing, he walked away from the glare of public scrutiny last summer. Lying low he was, but lazing away his life under the tree of rejection he wasn't.

Having learned much from his Rising Stars experience, Smith has been quietly perfecting his skills, sometimes rehearsing several hours a day, writing songs and planning his career under the guidance of his manager, Wayne Wright. Now, he's back with his maiden solo video for the single, I Want to Know. After making the rounds on the Internet, it made its television debut on HYPE TV last Thursday.

Shot on location in Norbrook, upper St Andrew, it was directed by Oneil 'Shac' Harris and produced by Christopher Birch of Birchill Records for Kross Ova Entertainment Limited. The idea centres on a young man's pursuit of an elusive young woman. The concept and its execution are in line with the clean-cut, likeable ladies'-man image that Smith and his manager want to project to the public.

"I want people to see Angele as being a little different from others ... at this point it's very hard because there are thousands of singers out there. I also want people to look at Angele as a great singer and a very good performer, and to like him," Wright said.

But what was it like for Smith to be starring in his own video, considering he describes himself as an emotional perfectionist? "I just went along with the flow, because if it weren't something to make me better, nobody would be telling me to do them ... Sometimes I'm singing and getting too emotional, and they would say smile, and I would smile. I had to work with it," Smith said.

Happy with the outcome

Following the cues and the instructions, he's very happy with the outcome as he said, "Words can't describe how I feel, but I will try ... I feel good to know that I come this far, knowing where I am coming from, having nothing ... When I listen back, I say it really sounds good and I am proud of myself".

While the song was co-written by Smith and Sean Welch, Smith created most of the melodies and his manager is just as pleased with the final product.

"I am very happy with it ... I must give credit to Shac, video director and editor ... When he came up with the concept I said let's go with that because other people were saying different things, the usual running on the beach, countryside driving ... We wanted to come out different ... and I had confidence that he (Smith) would deliver, based on his work ethics," Wright declared.

Smith said the high-quality video should serve notice to his fans who thought he would have gone farther in Rising Stars that he's still around, and he is ready to deliver. He's grateful for their support and love and is working very hard to bring dynamic and show-stopping performances to them.

There's no holding back this time around, he said, because he has so much to unleash. His 'wings' are no longer clipped by the strictures of a television contest. The new video says it all.

paul.williams@gleanerjm.com