Rupee

Rupert Antonio Clarke, known professionally as Rupee, was born on September 10, 1975, in Germany to a German mother and a Barbadian father serving in the British Armed Forces. He spent his early childhood living in different countries, including England and Barbados, which exposed him to a diverse range of musical influences, from calypso to pop and rock and roll. His family often performed, and Rupee developed an interest in music. He later moved to Barbados in 1985 and had a significant early achievement when he won the Richard Stoute Teen Talent Competition in 1993 while attending Harrison College.

Rupee’s professional music career began in 1997 when he joined the Barbadian reggae group Coalishun. Although initially focused on dancehall, he transitioned to soca music. His solo career launched in 1998 with the international soca hit “Ice Cream.” This success led to three self-released solo albums in the early 2000s: “Blame It on de Music,” “Leave a Message,” and “Thisisrupee.com.” These albums blended soca with hip-hop and R&B, gaining popularity in the Caribbean, at festivals, and in clubs worldwide with tracks like “Jump” and “Tempted to Touch.” In late 2003, Atlantic Records, recognizing the commercial potential of soca, signed Rupee, following the success of fellow artist Kevin Lyttle.

His Atlantic debut, the album “1 on 1,” was released in November 2004 and featured the globally recognized track “Tempted to Touch.” This album incorporated flamenco and gospel influences into soca music. Beyond his recording career, Rupee also pursued graphic arts, earning an associate degree from the Barbados Community College and working in public relations and advertising before dedicating himself fully to music. His career is marked by consistent chart success and international collaborations, solidifying his position as a prominent figure in soca music.