Forget sex. It can wait. That was the message from soca singer Destra Garcia to a group of high school students yesterday during the Digicel Lyrics and Song exchange at the National Library, Abercromby Street, Port of Spain.
By Michael Mondezie"Sex could wait, after a while it comes like nothing so there is no need to rush," the Atlantik lead singer told the youngsters.
Garcia said she is disgusted by the high school cell phone porn ring that is circulating the island and called on the female students present and those listening to her message live on radio, on the Boom Champions 104 FM, to help bring a stop to the lewd acts.
"I can't believe what I'm seeing on cell phones. Ladies we need to respect ourselves first then the guys will respect us," she said.
A small group of students from North Eastern College, St George's College, Naparima Girls' High School and Servol Life Centre gathered in the library's amphitheatre to exchange ideas with the soca diva.
Garcia, who shared the platform with gospel singer Jadee, leveled with them about the realities of a professional music career and reiterated the importance of a sound education.
"Your education is first and foremost. Boys and books don't mix. We (are) way past the period where fellas ruling, now they have to keep up to our pace," Garcia said much to the approval of the predominantly female audience.
She said whenever the going gets too tough like anyone else she sometimes is brought to tears but encouraged the students to turn to their God in difficult times.
"Well like everyone I find a corner and cry, but seriously I pick up my Bible and ask for God's guidance," she said.
Garcia admitted to at times missing the "simpler life" .
"I do miss it, not everyday you want to be under public scrutiny. Sometimes I don't want to wear make up and put on a buss up jeans and a slipper and just be me.
"But you are always being observed even when shopping for your monthly people watching you and saying 'that is what she does use'," she joked.
Jadee, meanwhile, told of his decision to give up on a lucrative soca career to perform gospel music.
He said he was surprised, however, to face criticism from the church after making the switch.
"I got no opposition from my soca friends, but all the opposition came from people in the church.
"When you try to make a positive change in your life the Devil will use whoever he has to keep you away from your destiny," he related.
The Arima-based singer, however, says he still enjoys the genre and urged youngsters who were dreaming of a career in soca music to go right ahead.
Both artistes concluded their discussions with a performance with Garcia singing her new release "Soca or Die", "Fly" and "Independent Ladies" and Jadee performing his latest recordings "Judas" and "Recruit".
