{"id":193633,"date":"2024-01-10T08:53:40","date_gmt":"2024-01-10T12:53:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=193633"},"modified":"2024-01-11T14:41:33","modified_gmt":"2024-01-11T18:41:33","slug":"emotional-farewell-caribbean-artists-and-dignitaries-gather-to-celebrate-the-life-of-soca-sensation-ricardo-drue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/emotional-farewell-caribbean-artists-and-dignitaries-gather-to-celebrate-the-life-of-soca-sensation-ricardo-drue\/","title":{"rendered":"Emotional Farewell: Caribbean Artists and Dignitaries Gather to Celebrate the Life of Soca Sensation Ricardo Drue"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Yesterday, artists from across the region gathered at Antigua’s Holy Family Cathedral to honor the life of Ricardo Robert Barriteau Drue.<\/p>

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Wayne Mariette photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Among them were Trinidadian soca queen Destra Garcia, Bouyon Boss Asa Banton, St Lucian soca singer Teddyson John, and Barbadian soca sensation King Bubba.<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Culture Minister Daryll Matthew added an official touch to the emotional event.<\/p>

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Prime Minister Browne shared scripture, and Minister Matthew delivered the first address, expressing the collective grief. Ricardo’s friends, affectionately known as ‘Broski\u2019s,’ delivered heartfelt tributes. Karim Harrigan praised Ricardo’s larger-than-life stage presence, while Teddyson John urged everyone to cherish their loved ones.<\/p>

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Skinny Fabulous struggled to encapsulate memories in three minutes but emphasized Ricardo’s unexpected caring nature. King Bubba promised to preserve Ricardo’s legacy, recalling their nine years of touring.<\/p>\n

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Ricardo’s sons shared touching anecdotes, and his mother, Nicola Barriteau, depicted him as a trailblazer. Nicola fondly remembered Ricardo’s childhood performances and highlighted his role as a devoted father to five children. Born in 1985, Ricardo Drue passed away at 38, leaving behind a legacy that includes three soca monarch crowns in Antigua and Barbuda.<\/p>

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