Kevoy Clarke touted as next Romain Virgo

Being compared to your biggest musical influence is a huge compliment for 18-year-old Kevoy Clarke.

The crooner said he has been getting positive feedback for his debut audiovisual release, Girl You're Mine, with some people saying he's the next Romain Virgo.

"He's actually the artiste who inspires me to write music and do music," Clarke told THE STAR. "The way how he performs and does the craft with his performance, I love that."

They met in 2019 at a studio courtesy of Clarke's guitar teacher, a moment which caught him by surprise.

"He was preparing for a stage show which was at Appleton Estate in St Ann ... . My guitar teacher told Romain Virgo that I can sing and Romain Virgo told me to sing and I start sing Dutty Man, and he said I have a great voice and I should come to the studio the other (next) day to rehearse," he said.

minor setback

Unfortunately, he was unable to make it but saw Virgo in performance at the show.

"I was vex cause I was this close to performing with my favourite artiste and only to know that I could have just asked Romain Virgo if I can perform with him on stage, but it was too late."

The opportunities are endless for the Spanish Town native who is being managed by music veteran Jack Scorpio. They were introduced through road manager Bob Knuckles during an audition this year for a project on Scorpio's record label.

"There were two DJs in the studio auditioning to be a part of the production but because they were singing about guns and stuff like that, Uncle Jack said, 'No'," Clarke said. "When I went into the studio and started singing, Uncle Jack said, 'Wow, that singer has a great voice ... I have to sign this artiste cause him bad like crazy'."

They wasted no time in getting to work, the end result of which was the love song Girl You're Mine on the Romeo & Juliet rhythm. He said he's been learning the ropes about being an artiste through Scorpio, but said he honed his talent while attending Old Harbour High School. He met two music teachers whom he said were integral to his music development, and he also joined the choir. He was part of the winning ensemble for the 2016 and 2018 editions of choir competition All Together Sing.

"After we won, we started to go places to perform and while performing, I start experiencing how nice performing can be," said Clarke.

Shortly after, he met his guitar teacher who happens to be his neighbour, and further expanded his musical skill set.

Clarke, now enrolled at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, sees Grammy certification and gospel songs in his future. Until then, fans can look out for his upcoming release, Better Days.