The island of Grenada
has and continues to produce exceptionally talented
young Artistes and just when one thinks the talent
pool is exhausted another extraordinary figure
surprises.
In the year 1999 one such occurrence took place when
an unassuming young man from the town of Gouyave in
the parish of St. John, won the Grenada Talent
Search show with a stunning exhibition of song and
dance. Grenada and well eventually the world were
being introduced to Hollice Mapp who they would
later know as Mr. Killa.
After that phenomenal performance it would be
another two years before Mr. Killa would expose
Grenada to his special brand of entertainment. A
tune entitled “Gouyave Alone” about carnival in his
town was a hit locally and served as a warning of
things to come.
In 2002 Mr. Killa became a household name when he
released one of his biggest hits to date, “Wood
Can’t Done”, placing 7th in the finals of the
National Soca Monarch competition.
Another 7th place position in the 2003 National Soca
Monarch competition was just a platform for what was
to come. And what came in 2004 was one of the best
performances in a Soca Monarch competition in
Grenada. Battling injuries after a car crash on the
day of competition and forced to perform in a neck
brace, Mr. Killa rocked the National Stadium and the
over 10,000 witnesses to his mastery. His song
entitled “Thunder Rags” was sufficiently
instructive, soliciting unprecedented crowd reaction
while the young entertainer very calmly delivered a
sterling performance.
By then the entertainment world was put on alert and
Mr. Killa became a regular fixture on shows in New
York, London, Canada, Tortola, Barbados, St. Lucia,
Trinidad and Miami. After an unsuccessful defense of
his 2004 title, in 2005, it meant Mr. Killa had
plenty to prove during Grenada’s 2006 Carnival
season. There was no disappointing his fans as Mr.
Killa swept the Soca Monarch and Groovy Monarch
competitions. His Groovy Monarch piece has become
something of an anthem among Grenadians locally and
abroad. The tune “Spice Isle Rock” speaks to the
interaction between Mr. Killa and a tourist. The
song further delves into the interests of the
tourist giving Mr. Killa the opportunity to
highlight some of the fun spots of Grenada including
his beloved Gouyave.
The success of 2006 spurred a plethora of hits
including; Rider (a witty blend of soca and country
and western), the Cat (a song reminiscent of good
old Kaiso) Coming Down the Road, Gouyave Gone Mad,
Island Paradise and More Flames.
Blessed with a fantastic voice offering range and
versatility, it is his stage antics, however, that
mesmerizes with his trademark move being able to
wine while standing on his hands.
During the 2008 Carnival season Mr. Killa continued
his dominance of the airwaves while placing 2nd in
the National Soca Monarch competition.
In 2009 Mr. Killa delivered what is now considered
the best Soca Monarch performance in the history of
the competition in Grenada. From the video
introduction, depicting Mr. Killa in preparation for
the night of competition to his aerial excursion
over an overly excited and enthusiastic crowd, Mr.
Killa has established himself as the pre-eminent
soca performer on the Spice Isle. In 2009 he
completed the rare double winning the Road March
title along with the coveted Soca Monarch with the
hit tune “Swing It Away”
This young talent continues his pilgrimage toward
international music success and based on what has
transpired thus far, that destination is well within
his reach.