- Antiguan soca star Ricardo Drue has died
- Antigua in disbelief after news of death of soca artiste
Trinidadian soca star Patrice Roberts received devastating news on Tuesday regarding the loss of her fiancé and the father of her 7-year-old daughter, 34-year-old Ricardo Drue.
Roberts received the heartbreaking news as she was discussing her struggle with anxiety.
ABS Antigua stated that Drue was discovered in a state of unconsciousness at his residence and was promptly transported to the primary medical institution on the island, where he was officially declared deceased.
Acquaintances of Roberts utilised social media to convey messages of sympathy and emphasise that this is the period when Patrice will require the support of all her friends.
Anxiety, as defined by the American Psychological Association (APA), is an emotional state typified by feelings of tension, worrisome thoughts, and physiological alterations such as elevated blood pressure.
On her Facebook page last Friday, Roberts made the following statement:
“My recent battle with ANXIETY has been an uphill battle, to say the least. If you are living through something that can be mostly tumultuous, then you totally understand. I also get that some people would not understand and may think that it’s no big deal. Living with anxiety has not been easy for me, but I have been fighting through it daily.”
On December 8th, the renowned Soca artist unveiled a Soca track at a tempo of 160 beats per minute, inspired by her personal battle with anxiety.
For numerous individuals grappling with mental health issues, the discussion surrounding this topic, which is still considered socially unacceptable, is rarely broached in music, particularly in the genre of Soca music. Patrice is leveraging her passion for music to recognise the shared difficulties faced by many people worldwide, even if engaging in conversation might be intimidating.
Last week, Drue shared a photo on Instagram featuring Roberts, which sparked speculation among fans about the possibility of the Trinidadian soca artist being pregnant.
Drue and Roberts became engaged in July 2022, at his annual Druesday show in Antigua.
The concert is a prominent event on the island preceding Carnival. Recorded film from the concert held last year captures the moment when Drue gracefully lowers himself down one knee, causing a profound sense of astonishment in Roberts.
After experiencing an episodic relationship for several years, the couple’s bond became more substantial following the birth of their daughter, Lily, in 2016.
During the past three years, the singers of “Toxic Love” have publicly announced and confirmed their relationship on social media.
Had Roberts and Drue married, they would have joined the ranks of Soca couples, following the precedent set by Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons.
As per the national broadcaster of Antigua/Barbuda, ABS TV/Radio, Drue was declared deceased at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre at approximately noon today (Tuesday).
Ricardo Drue exerted a significant influence over the Soca Monarch and Road March domains in Antigua and Barbuda, garnering a substantial following throughout the region. Notable soca hits by him include Vagabond and Professional.
