Couva-based music producer Stephon Gabriel has successfully transitioned from behind-the-scenes sound engineering to center stage as a recording artist, marking a significant career evolution with his debut single release. The accomplished sound technician unveiled his original composition “Soft Touch” on November 17th, representing a personal and professional milestone in his fifteen-year music industry journey.
Gabriel’s musical transformation began unexpectedly earlier this year when his reimagined cover of Kes’ “Cocoa Tea” garnered substantial online engagement. The innovative rendition, featuring completely reworked instrumentation, demonstrated his creative vision and convinced him to pursue original music production more seriously.
The Trinidadian creative’s path to music professionalism took a decisive turn after winning the World Bank’s Voices4Climate competition in 2013. This achievement prompted him to leave his position at Microsoft TT—despite holding a computer science degree from the University of Southern Caribbean—to fully commit to his musical aspirations. That same year, he established Gabriel Creative Studios, solidifying his dedication to audio production.
Reflecting on his origins, Gabriel recalled his early fascination with music: “From the age of 14, I knew music lived in me. I was the guy at school everyone would come to, to record love songs for their girlfriends.” His passion was ignited upon receiving a guitar for his fourteenth birthday, eventually expanding to include work on feature films such as “Home” and “Again” produced in Trinidad.
“Soft Touch” emerged from a collaborative creative process with producers Jumaane, Jaydot, and Amiel Duncan, with mastering handled by Andre Stewart. The track represents both personal expression and broader professional ambitions. Gabriel explained its genesis: “It started with one of my producers I work with—Jumaane, who sent me a couple tracks and I put aside a particular one and then, on one random night, I listened to it and got to writing.”
Beyond his artistic pursuits, Gabriel operates a publishing division called Just In Time Music, designed to connect Caribbean creatives with international opportunities in Hollywood and global markets. He has secured several music placement deals for films and television shows, though specific projects remain confidential during ongoing negotiations.
Recognizing educational gaps within the local music community, Gabriel has launched an educational TikTok account (@StephanGabrial868) to share crucial information about royalties, music publishing, and masters ownership—empowering fellow Trinidadian artists with industry knowledge essential for professional success.