Anslem Douglas

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Anslem Douglas is a Trinidad and Tobago musician and composer, most famous for the hit single "Who Let the Dogs Out?"

[edit] Biography

Anslem Douglas' musical journey took root with his admiration of the folk performers, in the local community centre in his native village of La Romain, Trinidad, along with the influences of his older sister, who impressed upon him with her talents for writing and creating poetry.^{[citation needed]}

Anslem's musical development began to flourish in the local Pentecostal Church singing in the choir. At the age of sixteen, he formed his own group called Exodus; this gave him his first real taste of stardom.^{[citation needed]} The band became popular and they were often requested to perform at various venues around Trinidad.

However, in 1984, Anslem enlisted with the National Coast Guard in Trinidad, where he served for six years.^{[citation needed]} During this time he continued to sharpen his vocal skills, performing with the Coast Guard institutional band at local venues. From there he moved on to singing various genres of music and eventually discovered the Soca music culture.^{[citation needed]}

He recorded his first song in 1988 with Fireflight, and then joined the band Atlantik giving audiences a taste of his unique, husky yet sultry sound.^{[citation needed]}

His musical influences includes such artists as Blakely and Lord Kitchener, to the honey tones of R&B greats like Peabo Bryson and Stevie Wonder.

Douglas released hits such as "Good Music to Dance" and "Who Let the Dogs Out." Other releases include "Soul Island" from the Friend CD and "Abuse" from his 2000 CD Sir Anslem Douglas.

In 2001 he was sued and lost a lawsuit with regards to full authorship for the song Who Let the Dogs Out? The chorus was originally composed by Patrick Stephenson and Leroy Williams in 1995 of Just Platinum Recording Studios/Action House Studios in Toronto, Ontario, Canada for a radio jingle. It was proven at this time Anslem was a client of the studio and used the chorus to compose the song. The lawsuit was settled with an undisclosed financial amount. He now owns a West Indian store in Whitby, Ontario.

[edit] External links

Anslem Douglas profile Canoe.ca
Anslem Douglas makes comeback - October 6 2006 (Trinidad and Tobago Newsday)
THE MAN WITH THE BARK - By Joan Rampersad; February 10, 1998: The The Independent, Pages 18,20