Bajan Sun Magazine - Caribbean Entrepreneurs Vol 1 Issue 9 | Page 21

BAJAN SUN MAGAZINE NOV 2014 Lil’ Bitts - Small and Powerful T rinidadian born Shivonne Liesl-Anne Churche also known to the music world as Lil’ Bitts and named after Liesl - the oldest girl in the Sound of Music entered the world on October 31st xoxo. A lover of music from the tender age of nine, Shivonne participated in many Calypso and Soca competitions. During her primary and secondary school years Shivonne entered a number of competitions where she won and was also a finalist on numerous occasions. As Lil’ Bitts music career advanced, her performances expanded regionally and internationally to Guyana, Grenada, St. Vincent, Toronto, USA (a few of the states), Bahamas, Bermuda, Jamaica, Barbados, and Antigua. She also performed with very popular music artistes locally and regionally - namely Machel Montano, Bunji Garlin (who helped her get her foot in the door with her first hit single IN MY COUNTRY), Destra Garcia, Alison Hinds, Lil' Rick, Skinny Fabulous, and Mr. Killa. Though Lil’ Bitts have performed with the best locally and regionally as well as on major stages gaining amazing crowd responses, her most memorable performance yet was in Toronto. As she would have us know, it was memorable because it felt like when she performs at home - Trinidad. However, though a lover and performer of both Calypso and Soca music; at the age of 17 Shivonne made the transition from Calypso to Soca music with her performance in the Junior Soca Monarch competition. Well known for her energetic performances of Soca music, Shivonne aka Lil’ Bitts also has an interest in Alternative Rock music. When asked “What sparked your interest in music and more specifically your genre of music?” - Shivonne quite assuredly stated “My Father! - He noticed my talent and my mother took it from there by managing me. They both believed in me. Moreover, I love Soca music because it is our music, it is our culture.” In 2004 Lil’ Bitts made her first break through performing a song called “In My Country” featuring Bunji Garlin. As the years went by Lil’ Bitts added more hits to her name - “Crush” featuring Sean Caruth, and “Bump” two of her biggest songs to date, both of which were written by Kernal Roberts. “Crush” enabled her to make her first debut into the International Groovy Monarch competition, which was followed by “Esta Fiesta” written by Lil’ Bitts. As the years progressed she added “Hold Meh” and “Careful” both written by her brother Sherrard Churche who is also her manager. However, “Careful” enabled her to make it once again to the International Groovy Soca Monarch competition. PHOTO BY ZICO MILLER www.bajansunonline.com/MAGAZINE/ | [email protected] | @BajanSunOnline