Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lyndon Best. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lyndon , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

It all actually started back in my home country of Trinidad and Tobago, from learning to play the national instrument of my country which is the Steel Pan that was invented in the 20th century from discarded oil drums. My journey started after learning to play well enough at the age of 15 and being a player in my high school steel pan band Eldorado Secondary Comprehensive Steel Orchestra, performing and competing with other school Steel Pan Bands throughout the country carnival season. I continued playing until I transferred my playing ability over into the big band as we call it back home.

That is a larger Steel Pan Orchestra, which plays at the national Steel Pan Competitions throughout the country preparing for the National Steel Pan Championship Finals on the big stage within our carnival season which is usually in the month of February. I was a member of the Steel Band named Tropical Angel Harps at that time and seeing all those people watching, cheering and spectating or singing along while we the band is playing what a joy to see and be apart off. I also had the what we call back then the chanting style, which is an adapted Jamaican style of singing or delivering the lyrics your saying over any type of dancehall, reggae rhythm for instance like knocking on a table in a rhythmic pattern, then it’s go time for me.

My country Trinidad and Tobago is known for its Steelpan which I mentioned, definitely good food, good people and most of all we love our soca music which emerged from the original art form called Calypso which was created by Ras Shorty I with the mix of East Indian and African rhythms fused to create a slower type of rhythm played which pioneer artists and some artists todays field would sing more of social commentary topics of songs to, where as soca is a fast paced rhythm being played, a happy feel good want to dance type of music make you want to shake something, with the songs lyrics geared more for dancing and gyrating of your waistline to the music playing. We also have chutney music that is a style of the East Indian diaspora of my country singing in their native Hindi language infused with blends of different instruments, but we definitely listen to all genres of music, but soca for us in the caribbean is the everyday music.

I have been known while growing up amongst my peers within my neighborhood of El Dorado Gardens Tunapuna. From teenage years to be singing/ chanting while hanging out on the corner yes a literal corner where cars drive pass and we would be there liming (hanging out) having fun, plus also had some lyrical fun rivalry with school friends at lunch or when no teacher was present and surely Best Blender the name I gave myself back then, I was in the mix of the chanting. That went on along with me still playing pan and getting more serious about the singing aspect as years went on.

I had the privilege of being on stage number of times at soca events with my friends/neighbours Vaughn and Junior along with their father Skipper lead keyboardist of the soca band at that time Atlantic. I got the opportunity to watch the soca artists of my country up close do their thing on stage and I kept telling myself one day I will be in front with those bright lights shining on me with audience singing my music while I’m performing, years went by and I kept at it. I then emigrated to the United States and my journey as well passion for music was never left behind. I started off doing odd jobs here and there for eg: worked as a mover, had restaurant jobs, also did the New York City hustle worked as Taxi/Livery Cab Driver to get that American dollar.

Myself along with two other friends was part of a DJ Group called Trinity Sounds International, where I was the Microphone MC while Brother B was playing the music and Chinee was the organizer of the venues at times. From this I started calling myself Best Fire and starting to build my brand. Brother B and I continued playing at private party gigs and some clubs, while we both were writhing music, creating songs and getting studio time to work on my craft. Time keeps moving and so do I. I began learning how to upload my music to streaming media platforms on my own for eg: Youtube, MySpace, Reverbnation, Apple Music, Soundcloud, Spotify and the list goes on, all this time I have been networking myself via the internet, booking my own gigs in and around Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Howard University, Canada.

I then started linking up with masquerade bands that take part in the West Indian day Parade that is part of the Labor Day Celebrations in NYC and to be part of the band and be on their music trucks to perform, I definitely love the networking aspect of getting myself out there. I had the privilege to be part of Gemz Konnection Masquerade Band ran by Ava been with Sugar Candy Masquerade Band ran by Sugita and getting the opportunity to sing on the trucks for the actual parade also performed at Staten Island Carnival celebrations, wow what great accomplishments for myself while navigating my musical journey.

I keep networking and building myself, my brand and my craft while navigating the internet world, networking with DJ’s worldwide and producers of different genres, getting radio interviews on my own throughout Brooklyn NY on different internet radio stations. I have always been eager on learning and teaching myself more of the business aspect of the music industry, and keep investing in myself and my craft till I achieve my goal of performing and making a living of from my craft.
As an independent artist I got myself better musical security after I signed up with a publishing and distribution music society called Elite Music Embassies, the Operations Manager Miss Christina Grand who is my music advisor/consultant and music industry friend she taught me a whole lot of the business side and boy am I happy with the knowledge I gained into the music industry, and now my full catalog of songs is definitely streamable and searchable on all digital platforms worldwide.

I have done shows in the past at Howard University Washington DC at the Blackburn Hall, for a school carnival event, performed in Manhattan NYC at the Alphabet Lounge, couple showcases in and around Brooklyn, back yard party events, Canada Caribana Festival, Carnival, Detroit Boston carnival event, Long Island Carnival, Atlanta Georgia Carnival event. I’ve been performing at Sesame Flyers International Soca Tent in Brooklyn NY Soca On The Avenue the show is about showcasing your talent and craft where I met and sang alongside icons from my country, and new emerging artists within the last couple years.

All of my accomplishments till today has been achieved through my due diligence of hard work and funding all on my own work putting the almighty first in everything I do and believing in myself and pushing on with my musical journey till the world knows more about me Lyndon Best aka Best Fire.

Lyndon , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I Lyndon Best aka Best Fire independent recording/performing artist born in beautiful twin isle of Trinidad and Tobago is a versatile artist signing soca my country’s music as well as dancehall and reggae and overall making good music for the masses of the world to listen to. Now residing in Brooklyn NYC.

I started my musical journey more than 10 years ago getting my feet wet just jumping into the digital world at that time publishing my first set of lyric and moving picture slide videos which I edited myself on home computer for my first ever Youtube channel. I set my mind to accomplish anything and everything, being a virgo we tend to strive for perfection and always knowing or having the idea to do or create something. I began recording my earlier set of songs in a Staten Island home studio called Calle Productions ran by Kalomo Pierre who I was introduced to by my music partners/friends Mixsture and Barry B and never looked backed, at that studio I recorded my first ever recorded soca songs : Neva Know, Whyy, Fame.

From there I started looking for more riddims and music producers/engineers to do more musical work and artists to collaborate with. I have been on the grind while holding down a 9-5 but can’t wait to hang those socks up, and do music full-time but until then. I worked with Ahtik Studios from Long Island NY ran by DJ Future I recorded my soca songs Bam Bam, Come Gyal, worked with Hevoy Walker producer from Jamaica on my first published dancehall called Step It Out on one of his riddims also worked with Mack De Cesar producer out of Nigeria Africa I did the song Spread The Love on his riddim, I’ve worked with NyceNation producer from Trinidad and Tobago did the songs Speaker, Chikki Chong on his riddims and still growing my music catalog.

I’m driven and focused on my mission to be heard by many more people globally and regionally and performing on stages around the world. That’s one reason I network across my social media profiles, I should post a lot more but my 9-5 has priority sometimes but I keep at it.
I am on all streaming platforms from Apple Music to Pandora, Spotify, Youtube, Audiomack search the name Best Fire just me google you will find me, I’m on all social media platforms such Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/realbestfire/, TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@bestfire03,
Twitter – https://x.com/_BestFire, Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/therealbestfire, VEVO – @bestfirevevo7153 and
Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/@bestfireofficial. As an independent artist I believe what makes me stand out is that if one door is closed there are 10 more that haven’t been opened. I’m the type of artist to ask questions and like to know more into the business side other than just the artistry of performing and showing my talent. I pat myself on my back everyday for acquiring the knowledge I have obtained as I invested in myself and my career path in music.
As well as my music is produced and marketed through my own Best Fire Productions music label that is run by myself Best Fire.

I’m proud to announce that I recently started an online store through Shopify store name Rastapproved selling my own Best Fire merchandise from hats to unisex t- shirts, hoodies plus ladies apparel and home decor pillows, which you can find on Facebook, Instagram profile and on my Linktree profile.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist that writes and performs songs to new audiences, family and friends knowing that music heals every individual in their own way, and the power music has to bring people together of different all different backgrounds race and ethnicities to one common ground of loving, feeling the vibe and also gaining the message being translated through song they connect with.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

One of my goals and mission is to definitely become a household name through my music, my driving force is myself, firstly believing in myself and craft plus having that infinite hunger to accomplish and overcome whatever challenges come my way in navigating through the music business as an independent artist that started and continues building myself up as an artist that can bring joy, laughter and fond memories to people throughout the world.
And knowing that I have immortalized myself through the internet world to be heard years from today and knowing that I will live on through my music. To me that is a most humbling feeling to know that I’m also creating history with my music and I’m ever thankful to the blessings bestowed upon me from the creator to share to the world.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestfire03/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealbestfire/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bestfire/
• Twitter: https://x.com/bestfire
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bestfireofficial
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/best-fire
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@bestfire03?lang=enhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/0Cu3SReTrpkqOQvnPNngLB

  https://audiomack.com/best-fire