Entertainment

H5 member makes solo debut

By NATHELIE TAYLOR, STAR Writer

Horatio Flowers -contributed

FOR SOME, REJECTION exudes a stench which is utterly unbearable. For others though, that word produces the sweet aroma of future opportunities, a gift of time and a second chance to reassess themselves, their skills and pursue their dreams again. Horatio Flowers is one such person.

Last year, Flowers was a member of H5, the harmonic five-member male group that entered the first season of the Digicel-sponsored talent show. Thrilling judges and voters with choreographed movements and a pleasing sound, H5 made it all the way to the studio finals - then were voted off.

But, Flowers' budding musical ambitions were not wilted and this year, he sprouted fresh, and with renewed zeal auditioned in 'Ochi', singing Richie Spice's Grooving My Girl.

Soon after his Rising Stars experience last year, Flowers decided that going solo might actually be best for him.

"There wasn't any fuss between us," he explains of the members of H5. "We talk fi a while and mi mek dem know seh mi a go do my own ting. Mi feel like sey wid di group, mi nah get fi reach too far. Musically, is a next level mi waan reach and right now mi caan do that wid them. Mi affi do that alone," he adds.

So strong is Flowers' faith in his abilities that he thinks his chances last year would have been better had he been a solo act. "It's a possibility I could have had a better chance last year as a solo act, cause last year mi never see nutten too extraordinary, so mi woulda probably stand a better chance on mi own."

This year, Flowers, age 24, made good as a solo contestant, reaching the top ten in Ocho Rios and going on to place in the top four as announced at the Results Show at the Knutsford Court Hotel in St. Andrew last Friday evening. However, his ambitions were once again nipped in the bud as he failed cop one of the top two spots that would have guaranteed him a place in the studio finals later this year, a chance at a recording contract and a share in the $1million cash prize.

Growing concern

Interestingly, this latest setback has got Flowers thinking about the growing concern that Jamaicans do not necessarily vote for the most talented contestants. "Well, a Jamaicans decide what dem want still and if dem did want me up there, I guess I would be there. Or probably, there is more to it than that." He also believes that some entrants adopt a "certain type of vibe" to get the crowd's attention. "Nuff people nuh real to demself. Dem know sey dem haffi look how di people dem want dem fi look. Cause you know sometimes is not about the best singer; is about the best appearance."

Flowers' reason for entering Rising Stars again this year is a universal one: he just wants a break. "Mi a look a chance. You see, a music so mi a go look fi every door and mi a go look fi di best. So, right now, mi feel sey Rising Stars a one of the best ways fi Jamaica see you, y'know. I want to be recognised for my talent; I want people to know that I can do this."

Incidentally, it seems he's been 'doing it' for as long as he can remember. From the pulsating rhythms of dancehall tracks pounding from a sound system in his St. Johns Road yard in Spanish Town, to belting out spirituals in the youth fellowship choir at church, Flowers' involvement with music is an intimately special one - and to hear him speak, it's almost a matter of life and death. "Mi realise sey when mi nah do music, mi nah live. Mi haffi live, so mi haffi do music. If not music, then I'll die."

Flowers, who states that he climbs to different musical levels as the years pass, may have no concrete plans just yet, but he will continue his musical pursuits. "I really don't know but it's just music; it's always music. Plus, mi a plan fi expand wid it. Mi nuh plan fi just sing, mi waan fi do the whole works."