Rupert Clarke, known professionally as Rupee, was born on September 10, 1975, in military barracks in Germany to a German mother and a Bajan father. He migrated to Barbados at the age of nine, exposing him to diverse musical influences ranging from calypso to pop and rock and roll. Rupee's first major break came after winning the Richard Stoute Teen Talent Competition in 1993 while attending Harrison College. He emerged on the local soca scene in 1997 when he joined the popular Bajan band Coalishun, where his hit single "Ice Cream" marked his transition into the soca genre. Rupee's solo career took off with a string of successful singles and albums. His first album, Blame On It de Music, was released in 2001. He signed with Atlantic Records after the international success of "Tempted to Touch", which enjoyed over two years of club play and spread to urban and pop radio stations. His debut album under Atlantic Records, 1 on 1, was released in December 2004 and introduced elements of flamenco and gospel into soca music. Rupee has won multiple Party Monarch and Road March titles at carnivals in Barbados, New York City, Miami, Boston, and Toronto. His hit songs include "Jump" and "Tempted to Touch".