“Never give up on your dreams…”

– Former Guyanese Chutney Queen reflects on challenges, successes of musical journey

Guyanese songstress Sandradai Persaud, popularly known as ‘Girley Persaud’, continues to captivate audiences in Florida, where she now resides. Whether performing on radio or stage, she consistently generates excitement.
The talented singer, known for her melodious voice, is set to take the stage once again at the Guyana Baboo’s 30th Anniversary Concert on May 10, 2025, in Toronto, Canada, before a sold-out audience.
The name ‘Girley Persaud’ resonates with the Guyanese diaspora both in the United States (US) and Canada, and is remembered in Guyana for her intriguing and pleasant personality, but more importantly, her contribution to the music industry.
While, the younger generation might not know about her, the older folks know the talent she possesses, especially the folks in Wakenaam Island, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) where she was born, and spent 19 years of her life before moving to Alexander Village in Georgetown.
At the age of 10, Persaud started to sing and play various instruments at the mandir on the small island and would have captured the hearts of the worshippers with her bhajans and religious chants. The talents she got from her father, who played drums, and her mother, who sang and danced.
She also performed at school concerts and those organised by the mandir at special holidays such as Phagwah and Diwali. In 1988, at the age of 19, she wanted to take advantage of her vocal talents and migrated to Georgetown – a move that has definitely paid off.

“I moved to Georgetown in 1988 and got a job at the Lyson Garment Factory. While working, I used to sing, and a few friends would come around me to listen… There was one special friend from Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) who encouraged me to join a band. Her name was Kamla, and she introduced me to members of Swaar Sangeet Band of Cummings Lodge,” Persaud told the Guyana Times.
This resulted in a rift between her and her parents, who were against her moving to Georgetown and more so, joining a band to sing. Things changed when she agreed to get married in 1989 – one year after moving to the city.
However, her first child – a beautiful baby girl – was born in 1991 and she had to give up singing, which was a difficult decision. “With the baby, life was different… my husband was making enough to take care of us, so I stayed at home to take care of everyone,” she recalled.
Upon the birth of her son in 1998, Persaud returned to the studios and later entered her first competition in 1999 in Essequibo, where she was successful. The competition was organised by JP Sukhu and was titled ‘Kanchan Queen’.
This led to her singing career taking off. She continued singing with several bands, including the New Melody Makers, Pete’s Caribbean Fusion, Shakti String and Guyatones, among others. Since then, there was no turning back, as her musical career blossomed to greater heights.
In 2024, she collaborated with Vishal Munesar for their first playback singing album titled, ‘Sweet Love Song’ which she recorded in the late John Alli Studio, which was the studio used by the then ‘Sugar Cake Girls’.
Her second album was done in Trinidad, after she was recommended by proprietor of King’s Jewellery World, Looknauth Persaud to the Guyatones Band, led by Rishi Gayadeen. That album was called ‘Super Hits Volume 2’.
During her career, she sang alongside Terry Gajraj, Celia Samaroo, Devindra Pooran, Omesh Singh, Danraj Balgobin, Ricki Jai, Raymond Ramnarine, Ravi B, De Hit Man, Ramraji Prabhu, Drupatee and many more.
She was also a back-up singer for Chris Garcia, when he performed for the first time at what was then Starlight Drive-In; the late Seeta Panday and Sundar Popo in Essequibo. She also performed in Canada, New York, St Maarten, British Virgin Islands, and Suriname, among other countries.
Persaud entered the Chutney competition in Guyana in 2006 and placed second. Still determined to win the title, she re-entered in 2008 and won the competition.
During her reign as Chutney Queen, she remembered it as indeed a memorable one, which led to several collaborations with then Soca King, Adrian Duchin. One year later, she migrated to the US where, for the first time, she had to opportunity to perform alongside Guyana’s Baboo, Terry Gajraj – someone she described as the humblest human being she has ever met in the music industry.
“He believed in me, and I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with him… ever since, he became my brother.” Taking every opportunity that came along her way, she performed at weddings, parties, pujas and stage shows, and was subsequently awarded with the Padma Shree Award in 2022 in Canada.
Nevertheless, migrating to Florida in 2009 was no bed of roses, but rather her life was full of struggles, which she gradually overcome.
“As a single mother, I had to work and take care of my children… sending them to school was my priority so that they can get a good education… It wasn’t easy, but I did it by the grace of God. The power of Durga Maa guided me throughout my life… I fell ill and due to that, I was unable to sing but with the necessary treatment and God Almighty, I am alive and can sing again…”
Persaud firmly recommends that singers such Terry Gajraj, Devindra Pooran, Celia Samaroo, Geeta Bisram, Soca Raja, Dhanraj Balgobin and others should be recognised by the Government of Guyana for their contribution to the musical industry, especially for keeping the culture alive.
This, she added, will not only be momentous for them but will also encourage the younger singers to carry on the tradition.
“Artistes today, should be happy for each other… they should learn to love one another instead of fighting among themselves… Be humble, be kind, be thankful, support each other, live and let others live too, life is short,” she advised.
On the other hand, she encourages young people who are in the music industry to never quit.
“Never give up on your dreams for no one… Try to make more songs about life and your country… I don’t think all songs should be about rum, for us to enjoy the lyrics, but rather, make songs that would influence the younger generation…I have seen some very talented young singers such as Vicadi Singh, Bunty Singh, Prince Arijit, Sonia Singh, AW Lyrical and Tony Cuttz among others, and they have my full support.”
Girley Persaud the singer has no intentions of retiring, she intends to continue singing as long as she has life, and plans to record some tracks in the very near future.
Come May 10, she will be performing alongside her idol, Terry Gajraj and many other exciting singers.