Story Behind The Cover: St Lucia’s Teddyson John

Our St Lucia phone directory cover star for 2023 / 2024 barely needs an introduction, as he is a well-known face and voice for many St Lucians – Teddyson John.

Teddyson, also known as TJ or Teddy, is a multi-talented musician who sings, writes songs, produces, and can also play the drums, keyboard, and bass guitar. He fell in love with music at church and his first ever recording was a gospel song called ‘Sweeter’. 

Teddyson told Yello: “I grew up with church music, singing in children’s choirs, youth choirs, and quartets so that was really my background. My first performances in front of people were at church from when I was about five or six years old.”

Teddyson realised he had a gift, and he enjoys sharing it with appreciative audiences around the world. When asked about the feeling he gets while singing on stage, Teddyson says: “I still get a little bit nervous but everywhere I’ve been I’ve felt positive vibes and energy and a real connection. 

“There’s no feeling like hearing people singing your song word for word or reacting to your song. That’s the power of music. So, I am grateful that I’m in a position to create music that people really love and enjoy because I want to bring a feel-good vibe that makes people forget about their stress or whatever they are going through in that moment.” 

Three years ago, Teddyson released an acoustic Soca album called ‘Caribbean Moscato’. He is currently working on a second EP which he says will show another side to his talent. 

He explains: “Everybody knows me for my inspirational stuff, but I wanted to show some versatility with my music, so it has a couple of collaborations on there and I have co-written and co-produced all the songs. It’s something different.”

Throughout his successful music career, Teddyson has won individual honours and recognition including an International Reggae and World Music Award in 2016 and an MBE in 2017. 

Despite those impressive achievements, Teddyson has stayed humble, and says his motivation to continue creating comes from “touching even one person.” He also takes great pride in representing St Lucia. 

Teddyson adds: “For me, the love of what I do, and seeing the effect it has on people, keeps me going. I also love going to different places and letting them know where I am from. Being St Lucian means everything to me.”