Rumari "King Rumer” Rogers is hoping to heat up this year’s carnival with his latest release “Permission.” The song is about a male trying to “thief ah wine” on a female, who informs him that he needs to ask permission to do so.
The musician said the song was named “Permission” because of a local online drama that occurred earlier this year. “But I also put a twist to it, whereas, you need to ask permission in order to thief ah wine on someone.”
He said the song is a mixture of many different genres of music which he referred to as a “mash up.” He called it “a road tune.” “Plain and simple (it is) for (when you are) in a fete, on the road, cleaning your house – any occasion.”
Asked why such a song at this stage, he said, “There’s never a wrong time to release a road tune. One way or the other, it will always reach the road.”
King Rumer will perform the song during this year’s 50th carnival celebrations. He will be participating in four music competitions: Senior Roadmarch, Senior Calypso and Soca Rumble (both Groovy and Power Soca).
Asked what messages he is sending in this new song, he said, “If you want a wuk up, all you have to do is ask permission.”
Permission was released and is available on Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, Amazon, Pandora, Deedzer, Soundcloud, YouTube and other music streaming platforms. Just search for King Rumer.
Asked why anyone should listen to the song, he said, “Why shouldn’t you? If you’re looking for something with energy, tempo and vibes, or just something to get you through the day, this song and majority of my music is what you should listen to – and plus, it’s local.”
Rumer comes from a family of talented and well-known musicians. He has been singing since he was four years old and participating in carnival competitions since 2009 – making this year 10 years. His father Mighty Carlix is a well-known veteran calypsonian on the island. His mother, Lady Melody, a former calypso queen of Saba and Sint Maarten, is the last monarch of the “Queen of Queens” calypso competition. His brother, who goes by the stage name “The Protégé”, is the current Calypso King in Sint Maarten.
So how does he differentiate himself from a family of successful musicians? “By adding my own style and vibe to my music and everything I do. I like to say I have a unique style that I’m still trying to master.”
Rumer loves music to the core. “Music is emotion and that’s why I love it... The fact that you cannot go a day without listening to it, singing a song in your head, or just letting music help you get through an emotional time” is what draws him to this art form.
In 2009, he competed in Junior Calypso; from 2010 to 2013, he competed in Junior Calypso and Roadmarch and placed first runner up for Roadmarch each time and second runner up for the calypso competitions in 2011 and 2012, but he snatched the Senior Roadmarch title in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and placed first runner up in 2018.
When it comes to a future in music, King Rumer is willing to go wherever the path takes him. “In 10 years, I can honestly say, I don’t know where I’ll be, because had you told me in 2009 that I would have done half of the things I’ve already done, I wouldn’t believe you. So, I will let the man above guide my path and go wherever he takes me.”
Outside of music, King Rumer co-hosts the Suppa Duppa Morning Show with Suppa and Spoon. He is also a brand ambassador for a few companies on the island and he serves as master of ceremonies for events.
What is the next project he is working on in the music industry? “That you will just have to wait and see,” he says. Fans can follow him on social media to stay updated on the latest with King Rumer: @ItsKingRumer
