Work — Masters at Work
A soca track built in Trinidad, a Louie Vega play at WMC 2000 and a Masters At Work mix: how Pupa Nas T and Denise Belfon’s “Work” crossed into house.
- Written by Anastas Hackett (Pupa Nas T) and Harkness Taitt; sung by Denise “Saucey Wow” Belfon.
- Made in Trinidad and first released in 2000 on a JW Productions vinyl compilation.
- Released by Masters At Work in 2001, after Louie Vega played it at WMC 2000.
“Work” is a soca record that became a house anthem. It was made in Trinidad by a New York drummer, sung in one take by a soca star, and picked up by Masters At Work after Louie Vega played it at the Winter Music Conference.
Made in Trinidad
Pupa Nas T, born Anastas Hackett, was a New York-based drummer who had worked in reggae and dancehall. In 1998 he went to Trinidad and Tobago to work with soca star Machel Montano, and stayed on as an in-house producer and engineer at the Caribbean Sound Basin. That is where “Work” was built.
The track came together before the singer was found. Denise Belfon, known as “Saucey Wow”, recorded her topline in one take, with the Nas-T Boyz Crew on backing vocals. Hackett and Harkness Taitt are credited as writers.
From a compilation to WMC
The track first appeared in 2000 on a vinyl compilation from JW Productions. New York underground DJs shared it, and Louie Vega played it during Masters At Work’s set at the Winter Music Conference that year, to a strong reaction. Vega then contacted Pupa Nas T to arrange a Masters At Work release.
The Masters At Work release
Masters At Work — Vega and Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez — added production and their own mix, and the 12-inch came out in 2001 on MAW Records, with a European single on Tommy Boy later that year. The duo had used the name since 1990; Gonzalez had first run block parties under it and lent it to Todd Terry for two 1987 singles. Their label had been running since 1998. By then they had also made “The Ha Dance” (1991), a staple of the ballroom and vogue scene, and the Nuyorican Soul project, whose 1996 album included “Runaway” with India. In 2021 they relaunched MAW Records with their first new track in 20 years.
The record came back in 2007 as “Work 2007”, again with Pupa Nas T and Denise Belfon, and reached No. 81 in the UK.
Still working
In 2022 Kevin McKay released a new take with Pupa Nas T and Denise Belfon on his Glasgow Underground label. The idea came from Armând, who mixed the a cappella over a house cut while playing alongside McKay in Hackney; McKay then spent months tracking down the rights.
For more of the Masters At Work story, read about Louie Vega. For Caribbean rhythm on a club record, go back to “Dancehall Queen” by Beenie Man.
FAQ
Who sings Work by Masters at Work?
Denise “Saucey Wow” Belfon, a soca singer, with backing vocals by the Nas-T Boyz Crew. Pupa Nas T produced the original.
Who made the original Work?
Pupa Nas T (Anastas Hackett), a New York-based drummer and producer, made it at the Caribbean Sound Basin in Trinidad. He and Harkness Taitt are credited as writers.
When did Masters At Work release Work?
In 2001, after Louie Vega played it at Masters At Work’s set at the Winter Music Conference in 2000. A “Work 2007” version reached No. 81 in the UK.
