Junior Tecla

Junior Tecla, recognizable by his dreadlocks, is a warrior for peace.

At the age of 26, the idea of becoming a musician was born. Junior’s first band was named The Juize and included another YDK artist, Giovanca Ostiana. The Juize focused on original Caribbean soul music and received a record deal offer.

Legendary Motown songwriter/producer Leon Ware, who wrote and produced for well-known artists like Marvin Gaye, The Jackson Five, Ike & Tina Turner, and many more, was captivated by Junior’s songwriting skills.

At some point, the band fell apart, but Tecla’s music career was far from over. He was offered a job in Istanbul, where he performed for years for the Turkish high society and jet set. This is where he developed his entertainment skills to the fullest.

Later, he returned to Amsterdam and set up a band that would become a huge success: The Rootsriders, a tribute to one of his favorite artists, Bob Marley. They successfully toured Europe, the Caribbean, and Africa.

Because of the success of this act, Tecla’s musical identity was overshadowed, as he could not shake off the Bob Marley and reggae stigma. He decided to move to Curaçao in between the tours three times a year to reconnect with his original musical preferences and cultural roots.

He released his first solo single called Kuid’e flor, which became a small hit on the island, giving him the well-deserved credit as a singer, songwriter, and producer. Still struggling with the reggae image, he decided to stop after an artistic disagreement with the Rootsriders’ management. This gave him the opportunity to explore new creative directions.

When interviewed by The New York Times, Junior was happily forced to describe his musical style as: Black alternative pop music with Afro-Caribbean rhythms, played by jazz cats.

As JT is a proud YDK, he now puts all his energy into nurturing young talent and preserving the musical heritage of Curaçao. The Fleur de Marie Freedom Festival gives him a unique opportunity to bring these two passions together.