Full name: Mischulaikah A.S.C. Richardson.
Artist name: Mischu Laikah
St. Maarten nickname: Mischu
Age: 25
City and country of residence today: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Occupation: Singer-songwriter, musician.
Recap your story:
I was born in the Netherlands, and left here when I was 12 to go to St. Maarten. My mother always wanted to go back home. I went to MPC and by the time I was finished with high school, St. Maarten had also become my home. I left for Holland to pursue my education, but after having tried different studies, I was never satisfied. In 2004/2005 I lived in Curaçao to get my VWO diploma in a year and after that moved back to Holland to go to a University to pursue medical studies. Still I wasn't happy, and just started writing music for fun with my sisters Roxxiomarah and Tsjaichmaidah and started performing for festivals and in clubs.
At the end of 2007 I met with Stone (Stonerich studios) and started recording my music there. He was impressed as I was serious about music, and we signed a management contract! I've been busy with music ever since. I also decided to pursue it 100%, which meant putting school on hold and truly giving it a shot. I haven't regretted it so far! I performed in Hungary, Austria and Germany at various reggae festivals and recently I played guitar in Eros Ramazzotti's (Italy's #1 singer) band for a European tour. We've performed in Sweden, Italy, France and Spain. The videos are also on youtube! It was an amazing experience and it taught me a lot about how it's done in the music business. And this is just the beginning!
Right now I am focusing on my album, which will be finalized at the end of the year. I'm so excited about it because it's my heart and my soul. I have a band of five and they are creating the instrumentals I will be recording on and it's so interesting because I sing reggae, but my band members hail from Canada, Aruba, Korea, Venezuela, Morocco and my drummer Elvis Morris is from St. Maarten as well. So it's their creativity blended with mine, which creates sweet Caribbean reggae with a twist! My album will be named Life.Music.Love and it's all about life and love, the ups and downs, the good things that happen and the bad. The most important thing about it is that it is real. My songs are stories in which people can identify their experiences and be consoled or scream out with me!
I am also an ambassador for IKN (Internationaal Kinderhulp Nederland), which collects funds for ICC (International Children's Care) and takes care of parentless children worldwide. I support it because I truly feel every child is entitled to food, a home and strong people to look up to!
I am happy with the decisions I've made and I am proud to have St. Maarten roots. I believe in the future, and the idea for this article St. Maarten check-me-out! I think it's great because I did the same for Teen Times in 2007/2008 for a couple of editions. My column – mainly to inspire the youngsters and show them that no matter what happens in life, no matter what decisions you've made, you can still make it – was called SXM's Finest and it focused on the students here in Holland who were finished or almost finished with their education and ready for the next step in their lives. I am happy that the people who will inspire the youngsters still get the chance to tell their stories!
What St. Maarten district are you from?
My family hails from St. Peters.
Where did you go to school on St. Maarten?
I went to Milton Peters College 1996-2003.
What is your favourite St. Maarten memory?
Going to school and being part of the Student Body (secretary). Organizing the Valentine's Day exchange (HAVO/VWO) and the annual Christmas shows at MPC! Winning the Talent Showdown 2002 and singing for Prince Willem Alexander & Princess Maxima when they visited the island.
What was your biggest surprise when you left the island? My biggest surprise was how much I missed the island and realized that the island we live on, truly is paradise!
What are your accomplishments?
My accomplishment is my passion for music. I've done a couple studies, like Biology and Medical Laboratory Research and also Environmental Sciences. It was a difficult decision, because I was taught that school should always be number one, and everything else comes after; but music is still my first love and I decided to follow my heart!
What are your goals?
My goals are simple. I want to be happy in whatever it is I do. Happiness is most important to me. I'd like to inspire people with my music, and if I can do so, then my mission is accomplished!
What makes you special?
The fact that I always smile and love helping people. I listen to them when they talk and genuinely reply. I feel that if I put enough energy into it, I can change the world. Thinking that I can do that is kind of cool, because it makes me feel unstoppable! It makes me wanna go for it 24/7. I feel the same about making music and performing. I have a story to tell and I'll tell it to anyone who wants to hear it!
Where do you get your drive?
My drive comes from the will to succeed. I've decided to pursue my music career and I won't rest until I've given it my all. God is my strength. My mother and family support me, and I have great people surrounding me with positivity. Via my management, Stonerich and Mildred Cairo, I got into contact with a young and upcoming clothing designer, Remko Sintmaartensdijk (his name is purely coincidence!) and he is sponsoring his creations for performances, interviews, photo shoots while making his name in the fashion industry here in Holland. Anything is possible and I will do my best to make it!
How long have you been gone?
I've been gone since 2003! So it's been six years! I miss St. Maarten tremendously.
Do you have any advice for the young people of St. Maarten?
Believe in yourself! If you have a gift, don't be afraid to shine. We need people to look up to. Don't be afraid to follow your dream. And when you do, give it your all!
Are you planning to return to St. Maarten in the future?
Absolutely! St. Maarten is home and I cannot stay away too long. After leaving the island, I appreciated St. Maarten even more. There's no other place like it and I want to play a role in putting the island on the map by excelling in what I do!
Additional information:
Website: www.mischulaikah.com
Ambassador of IKN www.internationalekinderhulp.nl
International children care website: http://www.forhiskids.org
Youtube video's with Eros Ramazzotti:
Spain: Spanish version of X-Factor
Sweden: TV show in an amusement park
Italy: Award show in Verona
France: Fete de la Musique with Seal, Kelly Rowland, Jason Mraz, James Morrison and more
