(Editor’s note: Meet one of the six finalists of the Press Play Songwriter Contest. All six will perform Sept. 16 on the global stage of Arts in the Heart of Augusta)
Walter Santiago’s music can’t be placed in an all-defining box of a limited and specific genre.
With influences of his Puerto Rican roots as well as smatterings of R&B and gospel, the music of Baby Boi — as Santiago is known on stage – has its own distinct sound.
“Puerto Rico and salsa — there’s a lot of that sound,” he said. “And there’s a lot of soul and R&B, classic rock,” said the musician, who is one of the six finalists in the inaugural Press Play songwriter competition.
There’s even some marching band drum line influence.
Santiago and a heavy horn section will take the stage Friday at Arts in the Heart of Augusta for a chance to win $500.
Mostly self-taught, he did receive some musical instruction from his stepfather. He plays multiple instruments including the piano and drums.
Santiago, who works as the media and project manager for Sample Augusta, has lived a nomadic existence for much of his life. He grew up in New Jersey and Miami and traveled with his former husband who was in the military and came to the area because of Fort Gordon.
His stage name Baby Boi is two fold — it’s a targeted SEO approach with a nod to his day job, but he also pays homage to his urban roots.
Santiago said he’s used his music to get through some traumatic times and process, and his first EP brought those songs together.
His newer works reflect a different space in his life. The song he submitted into the contest is called “Black Sky.”
“’Black Sky’ — it’s about a pivotal time in my life when I was fully engaged into what I wanted to do in the creative arts,” he said.
At Arts in the Heart of Augusta, he plans to play two other pieces that will lead into “Black Sky” as his culminating number.
To learn more about his music, Santiago is on various social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook @itsreallybabyboi.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the managing editor of The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
