Edsel is a man of determination, using his artistic side to understand the world as a whole – not just the fake truths of what others tell you it should be. He is educated and realizes that education doesn't stop when school does; it continues throughout life. He envisions a united island, where people, whether it be government, vendors, promoters, the average high school kid or parents grow as a people to respect and appreciate one another; first off as living, breathing human beings and in the music scene, as ARTISTS!
What is your full name and where are you from?
My full name is Edsel Errol Ambrosio Monzon. I am the cofounder and CEO of Faceoff Recordz/Studioz. I was born on the island of St. Maarten on May 9, 1986.
Where did you go to school and what did you do after you finished high school?
I attended St. Dominic Primary and High schools and graduated in December 2004. I did have plans to do further studies in paediatrics but was unfortunately unable to. I then started to work as marketing rep for a company here on the island. I did and still am doing well at it, even consulting in St. Thomas, USVI, for other companies as well.
When was this CD launched?
This CD was worked on in 2010 and is gonna drop this May. Now I'm kind of a perfectionist, even though it takes practice and experience to create a masterpiece. Simpletune (co producer & CEO of Faceoff Studios) and I worked hard on this Mix/Fixtape, sometimes ending recording sessions 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning. This CD has a wide range of feelings and sounds that I want to project to the listener. It talks about love, deception, sex and the perception of the word freedom, so it has various topics that any audience can connect with. It's funny how everyone seems to have a different favourite song on the CD, and that's something I like, because that's how I wrote the songs and compiled the mix/fixtape.
What prompted you to do this particular CD/song?
I did a CD a few years before and though I liked it, it felt really young. I felt like I could do something a bit more mature, something that expressed different dimensions of not just me, but of a person in general. I got these beats, and they gave me the feelings of doing just that. This CD is a progressive in its sound alone, not to mention that it's not bound to the imaginative restraint of the Caribbean or St. Maarten. I wanted to show that like any artist in a larger country, an artist on our island can have just as much imagination, passion, and scope as any artist anywhere else. I experimented with the sounds and flows GREATLY on this CD, and I think the audience will appreciate that.
What made you get into music?
Growing up I enjoyed listening to James Brown on the television and seeing the dance he did, that was cool to me. I even tried to emulate it as a kid; I would get my Sunday shoes on and go to work (laughs). Michael Jackson was my second inspiration but also the one that really got me into actually even attempting to carry a tune but not write. I started to write music through poetry; this is common among artists. I would bebop a beat and put the words from my poetry in it. Over the years, I progressed to what you'll hear in May, and have am even progressing now as well.
What instrument do you play?
I practised the piano when I was younger; I borrowed my cousin's piano board because I didn't have one. I'm not where I want to be in it, I know I'll get there and so far I can make decent beats with the skills I have at the moment. As far as other instruments, I will be able to create a beat using any because that's what an artist does. I just need to understand the instrument.
What do you sing?
I sing generally R&B/hip hop, but that's not my limitation. I can also do pop and can definitely put it down on the mic with my rap game. I do like both, but R&B is what related to me more through my poetry at first. Recently, I've touched on soul and I like that feeling it gives people, I have an idea on future tracks of kinda mixing my style of the two and creating a hybrid. I think it'll be, but I'll let you know how it sounds when that comes or you can be the judge.
Who writes the lyrics?
For the most part, I write ALL my stuff, which I enjoy. If I work with another artist in the R&B field and I haven't already written the song, then I try to get us to work on the lyrics for our respective parts together. In this case, to me it helps the music feel more real by giving not just me but both of us a true connection to the song. I have also written songs for other R&B artists and have produced them as well.
What do you hope your future holds?
Well, the thing is I don't try to go hoping for things; I pray on it and put the work in to achieve it. I don't mind getting dirty or being tired after I put my work in, because I know it takes me one step closer to where I am going and eventually WILL be. I do have my goals and am motivated to realize them, and I want everyone whether artist of any nature, free thinkers, businessmen and women, aspiring doctors, scientists, vets, even students or just people in general who want to get somewhere or achieve something. Though the road may seem long, broken and troublesome, keep walking. You may be going at a different pace to everyone, which everyone usually is, but don't stop. Sometimes you may need to add or minus something from your journey, but the only time you're truly defeated is when you stop. As far as the music is concerned for me, the sky is the limit. "A MAN WHO WILL EXCEED HIS FAILURE IS ALREADY A GREAT MAN."
Where can it be found? Where can you buy it?
At the moment, we're currently looking into the outlets, but as far as certainty goes, you can contact Simpletune for purchase at 527-3323 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Also, you can comment on the video and song material on my facebook "Edsel Monzon."
Did you travel anywhere for the holidays or in relation to your work?
I have been travelling to St. Thomas, USVI, lately; I've also recently been to Barbados and St. John, which were pretty nice.
If you were to invite three people (living or dead) to dinner, who would they be? Why would you invite them and what would you serve?
Just three? There are so many people I would like to invite to dinner if I were to hold a special one. I can't say anyone who has passed because I believe that we'll have dinner in a much more special place than I could ever possibly provide here. As far as right here, right now goes, I would invite my mom, and I'd have to have several more than a three-person dinner to really enjoy it as a whole. I don't like to leave my people out.
