For years, David “D2” Davis has helped some of Barbados’ biggest soca stars shine from behind the scenes. This Crop Over, however, the creative powerhouse is stepping into the spotlight himself – and he couldn’t be more ready.
As one half of Roofdeck Symphony, alongside long-time friend Sim Simma, Davis has earned a coveted place in the Banks Party Monarch Powered By Hitz 106.7 FM finals, marking a significant milestone in a career that began not as a performer, but as a songwriter.
“Music has always been part of my life, but my journey really began as a songwriter rather than a performer,” Davis said. “I’ve always loved telling stories and expressing ideas through music.”
His pen has been behind songs for some of Barbados’ well-known entertainers, including Mr Blood, Peter Ram, Sim Simma and daughter Summa. Songwriting, he said, became the perfect outlet for his creativity before he eventually found himself on stage.
Forming Roofdeck Symphony with Sim Simma was the next natural step.
“We share a passion for Barbadian culture, music and creating something that people can genuinely connect with.”
Growing up, Davis admired artistes who had the rare ability to unite thousands of people through music.
“The ability to make thousands of people sing one song together is something special,” he said. “That’s what inspired me – not just to entertain, but to create music that people would remember long after Crop Over.”
Away from the bright lights and booming speakers, Davis wears many hats. He is a husband, father, grandfather, entrepreneur and community advocate, while also serving as creative director of Renaissance Designs.
Yet, he insists the man off stage isn’t much different from the one audiences see performing.
“The performer is simply a louder version of the person I am every day. Whether I’m speaking to young people, designing an event or performing alongside Sim Simma, my goal is always the same . . . to inspire people and leave something positive behind.”
Their Power Soca song Pass De Glass was born in the most authentically Bajan way possible – during a lime.
“A group of us were liming, enjoying ourselves, singing picong and having a few drinks when Sim Simma suddenly shouted, ‘Pass de glass wid some rum in it,’” Davis recalled.
“Everybody stopped. Someone shouted, ‘Yow! Dah is a good hook!’”
Inspired on the spot, Davis began writing immediately.
“By the time the lime was over, the song was finished. There was no plan to enter a competition. Sim Simma believed in the song and entered it into Party Monarch and today we’re standing proudly as finalists.”
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