Classical (centre) with his son Davar (left) and daughter Baby Trish. - Contributed

Only nine years old and MD Entertainment recording artiste Baby Trish is already a seasoned performer with several tracks to her name, working alongside her Dave 'Classical' Gouldburn.

The artiste, whose real name is Trishna Gouldburn, attends St Aloysius Primary School and has been performing since she was two years old, and has grown before the eyes of many audiences.

Her father, Classical, explained that his musical journey started with his now deceased brother who was called Atom while he was called Little Killa. Together, they entered the Tastee Talent Trail and placed fourth on two occasions.

In 2005, he started performing with Baby Trish, and in 2006, they won the Tastee Talent Trail with a song called Rain A Fall.

However, three years ago while on tour with Baby Trish in Bahamas, tragedy struck when his brother, Atom, drowned. This further deepened a wound that was left by the death of his sister, who was raped and killed a year earlier.

Despite his grief, Classical said their deaths inspired him to work harder.

serious again

"When this happen, mi tek it up seriously. Trish did a do har ting, but since mi brother dead, mi tek it serious again and seh mi ago tek on the road with Trish," he told THE STAR.

By 2007, they started working with Beenie Man and the union has been fruitful since. In addition to numerous performances during Beenie Man's set, Trish has also collaborated with him for a song called Peep. And, in May, Classical said he got a call from Beenie Man who informed him that Swedish rock group Teddybears was interested in doing work with Trish. For them, she redid Rain A Fall.

"We can't talk anything about him (Beenie Man). Each time wi do a likkle show, we get a likkle package," he said, noting that she has done songs like Mash Up The Place, Don't Worry Be Happy and My Time Fi Buss.

Although their careers seem to be going relatively well, Classical says he has been faced with much criticism for having his daughter on stage shows.

"Some people criticise because they feel that I just take her out of her bed and put her on stage. Dem seh she suppose to inna har bed, she too likkle fi dis. But if mi did a listen to dem, you wouldn't a hear Baby Trish," he said, noting that her mother is supportive and also has a say in her career.

But Classical says they have a method. So if Trish has a show in the night, he says she has to sleep in the days. He noted that she doesn't do shows on school days either.

"We don't take night concerts in the week. If it's night, it has to be between 7 and 10 p.m.," he said.

for pleasure

For overseas shows, he said, they usually take place on a Saturday, so they leave Friday evenings and return by Sunday.

When asked if he believes he is exploiting his child, Classical explained that this is far from the truth.

"We are not in this music here for pleasure, we in this for business. Me a do this before mi even get Trish. Me and mi bredda used to do it. I don't work for anyone, I get my money through studio and stage shows," he told THE STAR.

He added that his six year old son, Davar Gouldburn, has also started to deejay.

Classical stressed that he also earns from doing promotions for artistes like G-Whizz, Stylysh, Harry Toddler, G Warren, Beenie Man, Spragga Benz and Baby Trish.

In addition to music, Classical also has a company called Bad Bull Productions. The production company also has smaller groups; Bad Bull Girls and Bad Bull Family, both of which have several deejays and singjays.