You’re, without a doubt, familiar with these aliases: Hollywood HP/DJ HP. Now we’ve got the chance to sit with the man behind the moniker, Andra Henry—born and raised in Marchand. Our chat with Andra ranged from his beginnings on the events scene during his teenage years, to his present stardom representing St. Lucia internationally, and also on Twitch! Much to our delight, he had some fascinating experiences to share.
What is the story behind the name HP?
Hollywood HP: The name HP started off when I was younger… Because I had a large head and small body, people would say I looked like the man on the Harris Paints logo. Once I started DJing it became DJ Harris Paints, then DJ HP… and now Hollywood HP.
How did you get started in the entertainment industry?
Hollywood HP: My mother was a vendor, so I was around events 24/7. Being in that environment, I’d see DJs on the hi-fi interacting with the crowd and doing their thing, and that’s where I picked up an interest in it. For a particular Marchand Day in 1999, I decided to get some hands-on experience. A guy named Peter told me “Yo, you have natural talent, you should continue,” and that’s what I did even while at school.
I did drop out of school at one point, but being encouraged by my peers I went back and finished it, all while still DJing. Around that time Marchand Sundaze started up and I gained popularity across the island amongst promoters, TV and radio station owners and so on. Dwayne Mendes was a notable one. He was opening up a radio station and wanted me to work with him. That opportunity opened lots of doors for me to do events and corporate gigs.
My first big event was an event at Gaiety when Macka Diamond performed. I couldn’t believe that DJ HP would be playing at Gaiety for the first time. I always wanted to be on that level, but I never expected to get there so soon. I was nervous during the event but I had to be myself and do my thing. The promoters had discovered me through Marchand Sundaze as well.
How did you get started as an artiste and what is your biggest song?
Hollywood HP: My journey as an artiste started with an intro I did for a song by Sir Lancelot. Following that, one day Penn walked in on me while on air and said that he thinks I have what it takes to be an artiste, so we should put a song together. So it would be myself, Iwa, Penn and Ace. I was super hesitant but they pushed me on and it went well in the end. That year (2010) we won Soca Monarch, and got 1st Runner up in Road March and Caribbean Soca Monarch. Other later achievements include us getting 2nd place in Soca Monarch in 2013. In 2015 we got a draw for 3rd place with Ezra and Green Synergy 2006 I got 2nd place.
Since then I’ve been putting out music consistently. In D Bay is the one I’d say gave me my breakthrough as an artiste, regionally and internationally… I think that’s because of the universal, relatable story to the song. Even with that song I thought I couldn’t sing it, but I was motivated to go through with it. I released Drama the following year, and that song took me places and got me paid (lol). That year, I travelled from Bermuda to Trinidad and several places in between to perform.
As for my favourite song, it’s the one that has brought about the most controversy, Panty and Bra (lol). I love controversy, but it’s not anything negative though. The song could’ve been a bigger hit if it didn’t have all the negativity surrounding it from certain bands and media personalities. It was disliked because of its lyrical content but for me it’s the truth.
Who are some of your most loyal supporters?
Hollywood HP: First of all, my mom who has been with me from the jump… she’s definitely my biggest, most loyal supporter. I have to big up Aldrin Henry as well. Back in our school days he wanted to be a DJ too but that didn’t work out. He’s also the godfather to my first daughter.
My management team deserves recognition as well. Before Dion became my manager she’d guide me along, until she officially became my manager. The reason I am where I am today as an artiste is largely down to her efforts. Dwayne Mendes, as mentioned earlier, the Blazin family, my girlfriend Zannick and her mom, the Sound City Crew. They all give me that drive to continue doing what I do. The people of Marchand for sure… just walking through the community I feel like a king. Many DJs in the industry deserve the recognition as well for how they’ve helped me. Studio 758, Yannick Plante, Migz from Vibes Production. Big up to another motivator of mine, my daughter. She always pushes me. There are so many other people that I can’t remember right now.
How has the pandemic affected your work as an entertainer?
Hollywood HP: Lots of things had to go on pause. I had to lay off the radio for certain periods. That ultimately led me to do Facebook and Instagram lives, which I saw as a great marketing structure. One of the products of that time was Clash of the Titans… we had Subance vs Umpa, myself vs Ezra and others. In general, I learned to adapt and use the tools I have access to for me to excel.
While protocols got stricter here, certain U.S. states started easing up. That’s where my team and I saw an opportunity to go on a mini-tour in March of 2021. What started off as five shows ended up increasing and I ended up spending six months up there. The experience was great, I did events hosted by Skinny Fabulous, Mr 758, Kevin Crown and more. After a while it started to feel overwhelming because everyone was looking up to me as the biggest DJ from St. Lucia. It never really got to my head though, because I always looked at myself as the same person. The timing was perfect too. Going to the U.S. before never got me that much exposure but this time it worked out great for myself, Dennery Segment and St. Lucia on the whole.
Tell us about some of your experiences as an artiste representing St. Lucia.
Hollywood HP: Starting with Soca Brainwash … my original plans of performing in Mexico got cancelled. So I told DJ Private Ryan on short notice that I’d be in New York for the weekend because he wanted to book me for it anyway. The Saturday morning he told me that he wouldn’t be in NY so I’d have to play his set for him. By the afternoon the schedule changed and I was moved two spots ahead. It was still great because I got to be on the mainstage and get that incredible experience. I had never performed for such a huge crowd. Every single thing we said to do, the thousands of people there did. At the time it made me feel like a professional, like I know exactly what I’m doing. After the performance Ryan called me and said that it was amazing and he’s looking forward to working with me in the future.
For Miami Carnival 2021, I also didn’t plan on being there… But my team and I decided to keep the momentum going on the big stages. I did my thing and that went well. Before the show started, I came up to connect my laptop and the crowd was already going crazy because I was about to start. Something that most people won’t know is that for Soca Brainwash my laptop froze three times during the set. Despite that, the crowd was still full of life and the experience was great. At one point I thought to myself, ”I’m a big celebrity DJ here” (laughs) but I still didn’t let it get to my head. Even now I try to bring out that same character from back then, talking on the mic, hyping up the crowd, freestyling, jumping in the crowd like I used to do before. I still see myself as that same person. I felt that St. Lucia was well represented, plus with all the flags and the people…that’s something that’s going for us; our music is being recognised and praised more on these international stages.
One of the things that people recognise about me a lot is that I bring my own energy, my own vibes. I’m a firm believer that whatever energy you give, you receive.
In the end, Ryan came on to do his thing with Kevin Crown and Riggo. I was about to leave so I gave him a shout and he said, “Nah! Take a microphone” (laughs). That viral clip on my Instagram, that’s where we got it from… They were doing their thing but I decided to step in and command the crowd myself. Thousands of people, drinks everywhere, it was just a vibe. As soon as it happened I just turned my back because I couldn’t believe what was happening. The following morning, everybody was showing massive support, it was overwhelming. Everything I did in 2021 happened at the right time, everything is just timing.
Where do you see yourself in the next two years?
Hollywood HP: I want to release an album, with lots of collaborations with other artistes. I want to start working on becoming a farmer (laughs)… But for real, during this pandemic it made me realize that one of the major needs we really have is food. We had no entertainment for a while during the pandemic but farming, for example, was still on point. You still have to provide for supermarkets and so on.
What advice would you give to someone trying to get into the entertainment industry?
Hollywood HP: After getting into the entertainment business I believe that one of the most important things is being patient. Nothing happens before its time. Also being humble, you have to invest in yourself to get to where you want to be. No matter what you want to do, you have to find your own identity so that people can look at you and say that they know you for something unique, even when they hear your voice.
One more thing is, in the entertainment business you need to have a lot of street knowledge. If you’re a TV host and you’re only ever seen on TV and no one sees you in public, you kinda lose that connection with the audience. Their word of mouth can be very helpful to you as well, so it’s important to keep that connection up.
With everything that HP has accomplished so far, we wish him even more success in his endeavours!
