Michael Sparkey Drakes Biography

by Junie Webson
(New York)

Fans will tell you he has a voice that is distinctive and resonates with energy which is evident in his dancehall and ragga soca tracks. Born in Guyana, South America he started singing in his church, he could be heard on any given Sunday thrilling the congregation with his heavy baritone voice.

Michael joined the Guyana Defence Force(GDF) it was here that he received the name of Sparkey. Sparkey performed with GDF and several other bands before leaving Guyana at the behest of the Tonik Band to relocate to Antigua in 1997.

After the break-up of Tonik Band, Sparkey did stints with Vision 2000 where he wrote and recorded eleven of the twelve songs that appeared on the Vision 2000 album. One of the eleven songs, "Want Me Body" was written for Pat Raguette of the Virgin Islands and it became a mega hit for her when it was released. To quote her, "I have never had a song like that since".

In 2004 as a member of the group Da Bhann, Sparkey toured with Atlantic Recording artist Kevin Lyttle, because of his unique voice he was able to replace reggae artist Spragga Benz and Jamesy P on Kevin's songs.

Moving on is hard, but in 2006 Sparkey and Da Bhann parted, he was convinced that this was the time to pursue a solo career. In April of 2007 his first solo CD aptly titled "Sparkey & Friends Back 2 Basics", with fourteen tracks, ten soca and four reggae was released. Artists appearing on the CD are Claudette Peters of Taxik on Crazy, Mervyn Sleepy Edwards of Taxik on Best Friends and Dalton Dyer of the new Tonik Band on Ah De Vibes.


In October 2007 Sparkey & Friends Back 2 Basics was nominated for three awards by Toronto Exclusive Magazine and he was awarded "Best International World Male Artist" and "Best International World CD Album".

In March 2008 Sparkey kicked off his 2008-2009 tour in support of his CD in Japan with three shows in Osaka and one in Tokyo. Sparkey is now charting his own course on the world stage with his brand of music.

2009 AWARDS:

Best Reggae/Dancehall Artist at the 2009 Underground Music Awards.

Named one of the top 20 Independent Artist of 2009 by Internet Radio Magazine.

2008:

Signed with WOA International for distribution in India, released his song "In Your Eyes" in India in 2009.


October 6, 2007 - featured in Urban Mainstream Magazine issue # 29

2007 AWARDS:

Three award nominations and two wins from Toronto Exclusive Magazine.

1. Best International World Song...Sexy Lady
2. Best International World CD....Sparkey & Friends Back 2 Basics - Winner
3. Best International World Male Artist - Winner

End of Michael Sparkey Drakes Biography