Baron

The story so far.

Written and edited by Smokiller

Baron, known as the Sweet Soca Man, was born Timothy Watkins and grew up in Bamboo Village, La Romaine, attending Rambert EC School and later evening classes at the San Fernando Technical Institute. As a boy he sang Baptist spirituals at the church his parents led. He won the Scouting for Talent competition in the early 1970s and began his calypso career in 1971, when his friend Lord Shorty introduced him to the Original Young Brigade tent and gave him the name The Baron. Shorty also wrote his first hit, "Severe Licking". After about 13 years away, Baron returned in 1984 with the hits "The Jammer" and "Feeling It". He is also a soca parang favourite, and the calypsonian Crazy has named his "Spanish Woman" among the songs that carried the style forward. Sugar Aloes even wrote a line asking listeners not to confuse the two singers. Baron marked 40 years on stage with a concert backed by Pelham Goddard.