Claudette Peters OH

August 9, 1979 – Claudette ‘CP’ ‘The Diva’  Peters was born in Antigua to Isaline LeBlanc (Dominica) and Veron ‘Waka’ Peters.  She spent her primary years at the Mary E Pigott School and completed her secondary education at the Ottos Comprehensive School.

Claudette dipped into her love for music with the school choirs of both her primary and secondary school once she began singing at age nine (9).  Her voice training and refinement is credited to her tenure with Anglican Youth Choir under the directorship of Erna-Mae Brathwaite (then Tongue-Hurst).  She rose swiftly through the ranks of the choir to being a regular lead during the Choirs presentations with the church and on the tours which the choir participated in.

Her outstanding vocal ability and vivacious personality blended well and in 1996 representing her secondary school the Ottos Comprehensive, she won Miss Teenage Pageant, the premier youth event during her country’s annual carnival activities.

Upon leaving school, CP plunged headlong into her professional singing career on the hotel circuit.  She eventually became a member of the Ken Phoenix & Company Band.  She then moved through several well-known local bands to include the Dread & the Baldhead, High Intensity, Da Bhann and The TaxiK Band.

The Diva became a regional name in 2002 with a still well known and loved hit ‘Something’s Got A Hold on Me’ with Da Bhann.  By 2005 CP was known as a leading female vocalist in the Soca genre and she solidified this position with the release of ‘All I Know” in 2005.  That year she won the Soca Monarch title, becoming the first female winner.  In 2005 CP was named “The Best Female Artist” and captured “Song of the Year” (All I Know) at the First Annual National Vibes Star Project Awards (Antigua and Barbuda). Also in 2005, she was named “The Best Soca Artist” at the Twilight Soca Awards (New York).

In 2006 Claudette was nominated for Best Female Artist and Best Gospel Artist at the 2nd Annual National Vibes Star Project Awards (Antigua and Barbuda).  That same year, during the country’s annual Independence celebrations Claudette Peters was among the national award honourees and bestowed with the ‘Order of the Most Princely Heritage’ honour.

CP reign as Antigua and Barbuda’s Soca Monarch from 2005 through 2008 before taking a break in 2009.  By that time, she had firmly embedded herself as “Antigua and Barbuda’s Soca Darling.”

In 2010, as part of their 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day Celebrations, the Nita Barrow Unit of the Institute of Gender & Development Studies at The University of the West Indies (UWI) recognised Claudette Peters for her outstanding contributions to soca music.

In 2013, Claudette ‘CP’ Peters was named one of five Cultural Envoys named by the Ministry of Culture, Government of Antigua and Barbuda and endorsed by the Cabinet, in recognition of their invaluable contributions in the promotion of the Culture of Antigua and Barbuda regionally and internationally.

In January 2021, Claudette was a part of the Caribbean entertainment cast selected to mark the inauguration of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Claudette has remained a dominate force in the Antigua and Barbuda music scene, with a specialty, though not exclusive, soca forte.  She has 10 soca crowns to date, her most recent in the 2022 Antigua Carnival Soca Monarch Competition.

The Diva’s passion for the artform is boundless!  She immerses herself in her music, the culture and the many aspects of the music and culture of her country Antigua and Barbuda!!!

The feelings of most of Antiguans and Barbudans about Queen CP can be aptly summarized in the words of Condacey Samuel. “Claudette CP Peters is a precious Antiguan gem that should be cherished, preserved and protected. CP is talented, humble, jovial and always a vibe. She almost single-handedly increased the quality of our Party Monarch and she has groomed many artists whose music we love and groove to today. For that, she deserves ALL the flowers. My admiration for this woman and her accomplishments run deep cuz numbady dey lakka she! She’s helped to make our entertainment industry what it is today and I will always love her for that. What a woman! 

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