Booster Shot: Berbice counteracts the drinking trend in soca

Berbice and Nurse Karen backstage at Trinidad Soca Monarch 2009

Have you heard Berbice's new tune, "Doh Give Me More Rum"? Nice to know that one artist is allowing his music to be used as a Anti-Drunk Driving campaign during Grenada's Spice Mas carnival. The song will likely make for a nice cool down on the road, as Berbice croons the risks of consuming too much alcohol. Although, if you ask me, the song is really about a person who already had too much to drink. Me eh know.

The New York based artist was the 2007 Grenada Road March King for the mas anthem "Traffic". He was the only non-seeded foreign artiste to make it through to the finals of Trinidad 2009 International Soca Monarch (Power Category). Not bad for a two year old song!

Berbice is on his way home to Grenada to participate in this year's Spice Mas action. However, he will not be competiting in soca monarch in 2009. After Spice Mas, he heads to the UK for Notting Hill Carnival.

Here's a listen!

Doh Give Me More Rum (2009 Grenada Carnival) - Berbice

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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Booster Shot: Berbice in negotiations for movie soundtrack

Berbice and Nurse Karen, Trinidad 2009

It's the gift the keeps on giving.  When Grenada's New York-based soca ambassador stepped into the booth to record Traffic for Spice Mas 2007, he had no idea that it would remain a favourite for so long. 

He won Spice Mas road march in '07.  It impressed the crowds at Notting Hill and Brooklyn Carnivals that year too. I should know, I jumped up with de jab jab posse to it on both sides of the pond.  It wasn't until Summer 2008 that Traffic began to have a major impact on Toronto and Miami, and then boom, Trinidad and Tobago sealed the deal.  The aggressive road anthem decorated the airwaves for month leading up to Carnival 2009.  

There, Berbice would be the only non-Trinidadian to make it past the semi-finals in the International Soca Monarch (Power) competition.  The other region artists all made it there as winner's of their own Island Soca Monarch competition.  Berbice has never won that crown, whether home or abroad, but he's beginning to see benchmarks of success that many title-holders have yet to reach. 

For starters, the song Traffic has been licensed to be used by the Universoul Circus in this season's presentation.   But an even bigger opportunity is in the works that place Traffic on the soundtrack of a feature film.  I don't wanna jinx anything.  So, that's all for now.  Hoping to let you know the good news soon!

For more posts that mention Berbice....CLICK HERE

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Booster Shot: Trinidad 2009 International Soca Monarch Semi-Finalists Announced

The Caribbean Prestige Foundation annouced the names of the semi-finalists for the the 2009 bMobile International Soca Monarch competition yesterday in Trinidad.

The Semi Finals will take place on February 8th at the Arima Velodrome. Groovy begins at 4p.m., followed by the Power Soca Monarch.

Here's what you came here for:

Please note: This list does not include the reigning Soca Monarchs and Party Monarchs from around the Caribbean who have been guaranteed a spot in the finals on Friday, February 20th. Therefore five places in the finals have been reserved for Claudette Peters, Khiomal, Luni Sparks and Electrify, Ricky T and Skinny Fabulous.

Groovy Soca Monarch Semi-Finalists

• Alicia Lee
• Ansel Joseph
• Benjai
• Biggie Irie
• Blazz
• Cassie
• Cedonia
• Chucky
• Edwin Yearwood
• Erphaan Alves
• Esther Dyer
• Farmer Nappy
• Faye-Ann Lyons
• Fireball
• Gary Jackson
• Hunter
• Iwer George
• Kerwin Du Bois
• Patch
• Nadia Batson
• Patrice Roberts
• Pelf
• Peter Ram
• Sean Caruth
• Shal Marshall
• Shyann Bailey
• Skhi
• Sugar Raye
• Tracey D
• Tizzy
• Zan
• Zoleah
  

Power Soca Semi-Finalists

• Anslem Douglas
• Benjai
• Berbice
• Blaxx
• Blaze & JW
• Blazer Dan
• Choppa
• Faye-Ann Lyons
• Ivy
• Iwer George
• Jermeeka Mundy
• TC ( The King of Swag)
• Knycky Cordner
• Lil Bitts
• Nadia Batson
• Ninjitsu
• Nnika Francis
• Olatunji
• Patrice Roberts
• Russell Cadogan
• Shurwayne Winchester
• Soca Tech
• Terri Lyons
• Tony Prescott
• Trevor Gore
• Tyra Matthews.
  

Quick comments:

Interesting to see Faye-Ann Lyons name included in the mix, considering that just last year she told the media that she would no longer enter her name in future Soca Monarch competitions. By media I mean the Trinidadian media and myself, when I interviewed her for the cover of WE magazine about one week after Carnival. Beyond that, Faye-Ann will be just shy of 8 months pregnant on the date of the semi-finals. The decision to enter is indeed surprising, but she's been receiving rave reviews for her mid pregnancy performances thus far.

For those of you who don't know the name Terri Lyons, that's Faye-Ann's sister, yes people another one of Superblue's girls. She's been releasing songs for the last few years, however, she hasn't had much success with that. However, Terri is quite gifted in the area of dance, having worked with the Black American Circus in New York.

I would love to see your comments. What do you think about who's up there and who's missing?

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Nurse's Lounge: Soca Or Die 9, you voted - Dr. Jay delivered

No time is like the present to discuss the importance of voting. If you are reading this from the United States, today is your change to make a change. YES WE CAN! The whole world is watching.

When you have a chance to have your say, speak you must. Let me take the liberty to show you how this relates to SOCA!!! If you're into soca and you live in Toronto, there's no doubt you know about Dr. Jay de Soca Prince and his groundbreaking mega-fete Soca or Die. Dr. Jay is the DJ who hosts Soca Therapy, the same radio program that I go on every Sunday to give you "The Rounds." If you're still not sure, I'm going to tell you.

Nurse Karen and Dr. Jay (At KoolHaus earlier this year)

Last Saturday, the two-time soca award-winning "best international dj" and three-time stylus dj award winning "best soca dj" threw a huge fete in celebration of his birthday. Incidentally, I'm a soca scorpio too, so it was a real pleasure sharing the evening with all the other Carnival babies (De Docta, Marxman, Destra and Problem Child)

With Soca Therapy DJ, Marxman (Trinidad 2008)

This event is becoming an institution in Toronto. The KoolHaus, a concert venue which holds a legal capacity crowd of 3500 sells out each time. Patrons get to see performances from acts seldom brought together for a show. This year, he took the concept to a whole new level.

Earlier this Fall, soca lovers in Toronto had the chance to VOTE for the cast of this much anticipated show.

Fans spoke up, and Dr. Jay assembled a line-up no city has seen before. The favourites from 6 countries were given a mandate from the Toronto electorate: Soca or Die!

Here are the top vote getters:

Antigua - Tizzy of EL A KRU

Barbados - Lil Rick, the Hypa Dog

Grenada - Berbice

St. Lucia - Ricky T

St. Vincent - an alleged tie called for both Problem Child and Skinny Fabulous

Trinidad - Machel Montano. However, a scheduling conflict with the World Creole Music Festival in Dominica meant that Destra Garcia would rep the Twin Island republic.

Here's my shortish, but oh-so-sweet review. This fete was refreshingly different.

1. International - The international cast drew out soca fans with roots throughout the Caribbean. KoolHaus looked like carnival with every nation's flag waving high and proud.




Grenada's Berbice, minutes before showtime














2. Equal playing field - There were no bands, so all of the sets were equal. Each performer had about 20 minutes to leave a lasting impression on the crowd regardless of their experience level in the business, popularity of their prepertoire or nationality. This meant people like Problem Child could remind us about his older hits, and Tizzy could introduce the crowd to songs they haven't really previously given a chance.




Problem Child, ever so dapper. How does he do it?








3. Supportive - Maybe you've heard. Ricky T was a no-show. Shortly after the end of Berbice's set, a recorded apology was played indicating that the St. Lucian entry was absent due to some family business at home. I won't mislead you, I was disappointed too...(mostly cause he's good vibes and has a killer wine when he's ready to lehgo). But some fans were irate. Following the announcement there were chants of "F*ck Ricky T" rising from one section of the crowd.
   
   
   
   Thankfully, artists emphasized the importance of putting family first....and the refrain of "Oh Oh Oh Oh Ohhhh, Wham to Dem!!", was a familiar call and response throughout the night. Fans: Ricky T will be in Toronto at Doh Cry Ah Leaving in February. Cool? Cool.





Ricky T and I just three weeks ago in Miami











4. High Quality - Artists brought FIRE. I could tell that the performers were exuding a special confidence from knowing that the crowd asked for each act directly. The line-up was unconventional with a multi-year chart-topper in Destra performing ahead of Lil Rick who is often considered a niche artist, Tizzy (who spent Trini Carnival 2K8 as a special guest in Destra's band).

With Lil Rick backstage...a not-so-hyper dog.

Skinny Fabulous closed the show. That decision was even surprising to him up until about ten minutes before showtime, as Toronto is still largely unfamiliar with his eight-year repertoire. No one was thinking about that when he gave his Barack Obama style motivational speeck on Caribbean unity, or when he took a running leap off the stage into a sea of flags and his 140 lb frame was thrown into the air over and over. The acts flowed seemlessly, and everything made perfect sense in the end.

If you missed it, don't miss my humble video blog, and be sure to check out the pictures and video EVERYWHERE. People will be talking about this one for a while!

Dre from TriniJungle Juice crossed the border to get in on the action. In so doing he dragged Nadine from Much Music along to host TJJ TV.

Here's what you'be been waiting for....Clips from Soca or Die 9!

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BOOSTER SHOT: 2008 SAO Soca Awards Nominees Announced

Copied below is a press release, just posted from the Soca Awards Organization. Congrats to all who are nominated! Before allyuh get vex with me for bad grammar and spelling and all dem odda ting dey...understand, all I did was cut and paste. I'm giving you my two cents before you read on. I respect the SAO for taking time out to recognize achievement in the genre of soca. However, I urge all persons involved in the business of Caribbean Entertainment to stand up and take some pride in what they do. The first step would be...making an effort to spell the names of the artistes correctly.

Tell me...who PROBLUM CHILD be? EDWIN YEREWOOD? MACHEL MOTANO???? Allyuh serious?

Dat nah mek it dread!

How do we expect the rest of the world to learn their names if we don't?

So many more comments...but I'd rather see yours...

Anyhoo....this was yours truly at the 2007 SAO Soca Awards in Queens, NY. The handsome dude next to me is Atlanta's DJ Tony Tempo ( Note: I can't find his name on the list)

The 2008 Soca Awards list of Honoree Recipients and Nominees

As promised here is the eagerly anticipated list of Honoree Recipients and Nominees for the 6th Annual International Soca Awards, this information was officially announced this morning at 10:00 am live on - ZIZ TV, ZIZ Radio, Win FM 98.9, Sugar City Roc 90.3 FM, Radio One 94.5FM - St. Kitts. Red Hot Radio 98.1FM - Antigua, thefrontlineradio.com, socaawards.com (iSA RADIO).


This year's awards will be held at the St. Kitts Marriott Center under the kind patronage of the Honorable Minister of State for Tourism, Sports and Culture, Senator Richard "Ricky" Skerritt. This red carpet, star studded gala will bring Soca entertainers and Soca lovers from all across the world together to pay accolade to those deserving of the honor.

Voting is scheduled to begin on Friday June 6th.
We encourage you to stay linked to http://www.socaawards.com/ for up to date information and more exciting news on the 2008 International Soca Awards.


Support for iSA6 is provided by St. Kitts Tourism Authority, St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino, b Mobile, HYPE TV, Royal St. Kitts Hotel & Casino ZIZ TV, ZIZ Radio, socaawards.com, socatvonline.com, Win FM 98.9, Sugar City Roc 90.3 FM, Radio One 94.1FM, Red Hot Radio 98.5FM, sknvibes.com, Club Kactus, sknentertainment.com, Shabeau Magazine, Shabeau Style TV, Pour Moi – Cognac, JTE Spirits, W4 Tours & Promotions, tropicalfete.com, thefrontlineradio.com, toronto-lime.com and wukupnuff.com, http://www.socaordie.com/, caribbeanmecca.com, tswradio.com, Soca Mix, Turner Video Productions, V.I.P Connected.




SAO Lifetime/ Achievement Award McLean “King Short Shirt” Emmanuel
SAO Hall of Fame Ellie Matt
SAO Legend Award Winston “Gypsy” Peters
SAO Technical Award Eddie Grant and Leston Paul
SAO Trustees Award Ignatius "De Invader" Tisson




Best New Female Soca Artist

• SHEKERA

• JULIETTE MILLS

• MARIE ANNE

• KIMBERLY DOPSON

• ZOELAH

Best New Male Soca Artist

• Sizwe C

• KAMAU

• DON TRENT

• PROBLUM CHILD

• SKHI

Female Soca Vocalist of the Year

• GO DOWN BY LIMA CALBIO

• CHEATERS BY MARIE ANNE

• LOVE OF MY LIFE BY NADIA BATSON

• MO WUK BY PATRICE ROBERTS

• GO DOWN LOW BY ZOELAH

Male Soca Vocalist of the Year

• IT FEELS LIKE AM HOME AGAIN BY EDWIN YEREWOOD

• FIRE BY KEVIN LYTTLE

• NEVER LEAVE YA BY KERWIN DU BOIS

• CARNIVAL PLEASE STAY BY SHURWYNE WINCHESTER

• ME & YOU BY DON TRENT

Female Soca Performer of the Year

• NNIKI FRANCIS

• DESTRA

• FAYE-ANN LYONS

• TIZZY

• ZOELAH

Male Soca Performer of the Year

• BUNJI GARLIN

• EDWIN YEREWOOD

• MACHEL MONTANO

• RIKKY T

• LIL RICK

Soca Duo or Group of the Year

• 2NTRIGUE

• 3 CANAL

• 3 SUNS

• LUNI SPARKS & ELECTRIFY

Soca Song Writer of the Year

• KERNEL ROBERTS & MACHEL MONTANO - (UNCONDITIOAL LOVE, BLAZE D TRAIL, MAKE LOVE)

• KERWIN DU BOIS - (BREATHLESS, NEVER LEAVE YA, GYAL FARM)

• NADIA BATSON - (MIND YUH BUSINESS, LOVE OF MY LIFE, CONFUSION)

• FAYE-ANN LYONS - (GET ON, ROAD CALL, WHO STANDING)

• BERBICE - (TRAFFIC, WATER, CARIBBEAN GIRL)

Best Soca Collaboration Grove

• PROBLEM CHILD & JADINE - SECRET AGENT

• KERWIN DU BOIS & SHAL MACHEL - GYAL FARM

• JAMESY P. & CECILLE - DO ME BABY

• MR. VEGAS ft. DESTRA - ON THE FLOOR

• MACHEL MOTANO ft DAVID RUDDER - OIL & MUSIC

Best Soca Collaboration up Tempo

• SHURWAYNE WINCHESTER & JONNY KING - WHOLE DAY

• PATCH & DA MA$TAMIND - DE TAIL GONE

• MACHEL MOTANO & MIGHTY SPARROW - CONGO MAN

• DESTRA & SEAN PAUL - FREE IT UP

• LUNI SPARKS & ELECTRIFY

Over All Female Soca Artist of the Year

• DESTRA

• FAYE-ANN LYONS

• NADIA BATSON

• NNIKI FRANCIS

• ZOELAH

Over All Male Soca Artists of the Year

• KERWIN DU BOIS

• BERBICE

• MACHEL MONTANO

• RIKKY T.

• MR. DALE

International Soca DJ of the year

• BACK TO BASICS

• DJ SPICE

• MISS BOOMARANG

• DR. JAY

• SOCA TWINS

Best Soca Compilation Album/CD of the Year

• DE RED BOYZ PRESENTS - SOCA BONFIRE - VARIOUS

• BEST OF THE BEST - SOCA HITS 08

• SOCA .758.

• SOCA GOLD - VARIOUS ARTISTS 1 2008

• THE REAL DEAL - STRAIGHT FROM BIM

Best Soca Compilation Rhythm

• SLU RIDDIM

• BANJO RIDDIM

• BARBER SHOP RIDDIM

• GYAL TOUCH RIDDIM

• RESPONSE RIDDIM

Soca Humor of the Year

• PHONE CARD - (REPLY) BY SILVER

• DE TAIL GORN BY PATCH & DA MA$TAMIND

• STRANGE NAME BY BLACKIE

• PHONE CARD BY CRAZY

• RAMCONPONG BY PETER RAM, CONTONE & PONG

Favorite Groove Soca - Female

• GO DOWN LOW BY ZOELAH

• SADDLE BY DESTRA

• MO WUK BY PATRICE ROBERTS

• KICK IT OFF BY TIZZY

• WUKKING UP BY PATRICE ROBERTS

Favorite Groove Soca - Male

• WHINNING SEASON BY MACHEL MONTANO

• OUT ON DE ROAD BY ZAN

• SOKA JUNKIE BY MR. DALE

• NAUGHTY SHAUTY BY SMALL AXE BAND E.K

• PARTY ANIMAL BY PROBLEM CHILD

Favorite up Tempo Soca - Female

• GET ON BY FAYE-ANN LYONS

• LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION BY CLAUDETTE PETERS

• MAS BY NNIKI FRANCIS

• MY POSSE BY NADIA BATSON

• FLY AWAY BY ZOELAH

Favorite up Tempo Soca - Male

• BREATHLESS BY BLACXX

• PRESSURE BOOM BY RICKY T.

• TRAFFIC BY BERBICE

• BOOM BAM BAM BY GRAND MASTER FT. SMILEY

• FIREY BY BUNJI

Soca Artist Album/CD of the year

• WATER BY BERBICE

• UNSTOPPABLE BY CRAZY

• WORK OF ART BY JAMSEY P.

• CARIBBEAN GIRL BY NADIA BATSON

• FLAME ON BY MACHEL MONTANO

Soca Song of the Year

• GET ON BY FAYE-ANN LYONS

• SOKA JUNKIE BY MR. DALE

• PRESSURE BOOM BY RICKY T.

• GYAL FARM BY KERWIN DU BOIS & SHAL MACHEL

• PARTY ANIMAL BY PROBLEM CHILD

Favorite Soca Info Website

• www.tropicalfete.com

• www.toronto-lime.com

• www.bajanfuhlife.com

• www.socaordie.com

• http://www.trinijunglejuice.com/

Over All Soca Band of the Year

• RED HOT FLAMES

• EDWIN YEARWOOD & KROSFYAH

• SMALL AXE BAND

• NU VIBES BAND

• MACHEL MONTANO HD

SOCA PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

• RED BOYZ - (BAND ON FIRE, ME & YOU, CHIPPIN’)

• KASEY PILLIPS - (ROBOMAN, MY POSSE, MIND YUH BUSSINESS)

• PARRY JACK - (AH NOT GOING, BASHMENT FREAKS, DO ME BABY)

• NEIL BERNARD - (GET ON, HAVING AH TIME, PELE PELE PA)

• KERWIN DU BOIS - (BREATHLESS, 2 DAYS, GYAL FARM)

Best Soca Music Video

• ROLIN‘- BLAZIN' D TRAL MEDLEY BY MACHEL MONTANO & PATRICE ROBERTS

• SOKA JUNKIE BY MR. DALE

• DESIRE BY SKHI

• PUMPIN‘ BY PETER RAM

• CAN’T WAIT BY LIL RICK

• PASSA PASSA BY CASEY

• WINE DOWN LOW BY DEVON MATTHEWS

• STRANGE NAME BY BLACKIE

• MONIKA – SOCA ELVIS

• THINK IT OVER -TERRY SEALES

Best Soca Re-Mix Collaboration

• PATRICE ROBERTS ft MACKA DIAMOND - WUKKIN’ UP REMIX

• FARM P ft KERWIN DU BOIS - SEXY CHOCOLATE GIRLS - REMIX

• PETER RAM ft AIDNIA - PUMPIN REMIX

• FARMER NAPPY ft ANHONY B. - CHIPPIN’ REMIX

• RICKY T. ft. MR. VEGAS - PRESSURE BOOM (REMIX)

Best Dj Soca Mix CD of the Year

• DJ MIX BY THREEKS SOUND BERLIN

• SOCA FEEIN” 2008 pt2 BY DJ REE

• 2008 XPLOSION MIX 2 BY DJ STEPHEN

• WE GOT THE FLAVOR BY LeXXXus SOUND & CENSORED

• 2008 SOCA MIX VOLUME 1 BY DJ SPICE

• 2008 SOCA MIX BY DJ CHOICE-ONE MD

• UNITE DE SOCA 2008 MIX Pt 1 BY MISS BOOMARANG

• ADDICTED 2 SOCA BY SOCA TWINS

• 2008 GROOVY SOCA MIX EXCLUSIVE BY JESTER X-CALIBER SMASH SQUAD DJ's

Over All Soca Chutney Artist of the Year

• HUNTER

• RIKKI JAI

• DE HITMAN

• RAVI B

• RAYMOND RARNAIN

Over All Soca Chutney Band of the Year

• DIL E NADAAN

• GEMINI BAND

• JMC TRIVENI

• KRAMA BAND

• SUPER TONES BAND

Soca Chutney Song of the Year

• FIRE WATER BY DE HITMAN

• INTOXICATED BY RAYMOND RARNAIN

• BRING IT BY HUNTER

• AKLA RUM IS MEH LOVER BY RAVI B

• MONIKA – SOCA ELVIS

Favorite Soca Online Radio

• WWW.THEFRONTLINERADIO.COM

• WWW.RADIOBAJAN.COM

• WWW.SOCA919.COM

• http://www.wackradio901fm.com/

SOCA ROAD MIX OF THE YEAR

• FARMER NAPPY - CHIPPIN’ (ROAD MIX)

• KERWIN DUBIOS & SHAL - GAL FARM (ROAD MIX)

• LEHGO ME RIDDIM - RICKY T - PRESSURE BOOM (ROAD MIX)

• FAYE-ANN LYONS - GET ON ROAD MIX

• ROY CAPE ALL STARS FT. BLAXX – BREATHLESS (ROAD MIX)

Best Soca Chutney Collaboration of the year

• HUNTER & BUNJI GARLIN - I WANT MEH Rum (RE MIX

• D HITMAN & BUNJI GARLIN - BRING D RUM

• D'HITMAN & BLAZER DAN - BHANGRA PARTY

• DIL - E - NADAN Ft. BUNJI GARLIN - BAND ON FIRE

• RIKKI JAI & SHAWN NOEL - PAGAL

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The Rounds - August 19, 2007

Good evening Soca Lovers, I’m nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s rounds. Grenada carnival wrapped up on Tuesday. And Congratulations are in order for Berbice. Traffic was THE chune heard most often on the road, beating out Ah Cyah Hear by Lava Man, and Tall Pree’s Trees.
Sadly, There won’t be any carnivals in the West Indies for a little while now, but THEY can’t expect the rest of us to stop de jumping. Yuh gah be real athletic to keep up with all the carnival action, so ah feel we ought to light a torch and send it rrround the world just like they do for the Olympics. So from Grenada, we passing we soca torch to Ottawa, then it’s going to Boston and Notting Hill, England. We blazing right back to Barrie, Ontario on September 1st. They will be hosting their first ever CaribFest just north of Toronto. Then dat torch lighting up the sky in Brooklyn a few days later.
I’ll be completing MY personal carnival marathon for the Summer in London and New York. Next Monday, you’ll find dis Vincy Vixen on the road with Poison UK before crossing the ocean for the 5th Annual International Soca Awards.
I f you haven’t cast a vote yet, now is the time to show your support for our very own reigning BEST INTERNATIONAL Soca DJ…Dr. Jay de Soca Prince. He’s looking to take the title again this year, but that can only happen if you take the time to VOTE. Head over to triple W dot Soca Awards dot com and show dem boys exactly why Toronto IS Soca City.
Well, if back to back wins isn’t reason enough to believe dat Dr. Jay is a soca Olympian, how about this? VP Records is bringing the 7th edition of D’Soca Zone to a record store near you. The two disc collection of soca favourites from the year gone by, features a bonus CD mixed and hosted by de docta he-self. So if you’ve been wondering where to LEGALLY buy songs like We Ready to Go, Hott Spot or Flames. Here’s your chance.
Speaking of great BAJAN chunes…A date has been set for the 2008 edition of the Barbados music awards. If you love the creativity and sweetness of Bajan music of EVERY genre, January 27th is THE night. The Sir Garfield Sobers Complex will come alive to celebrate the very best.
I’m Nurse Karen and those were Doctor Jay’s rounds. Please text your comments to 9-3-5-9-35. Now back to de Docta!

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The Rounds - August 12, 2007

August 12, 2007
Dr. Jay’s Rounds
Good Evening Soca Lovers, I’m nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Everytime time Caribana finish, I feel as though summer nearly done. Once my skin get bun up from playing mas, I figure it’s time to roll over and await the inevitable cold season. Well, not so on the sunny shores of the Caribbean. De hottest time of the year, NOW start!
Monday was the Grand Kadooment in Barbados, the final climax on the Crop Over calendar. Mas players were a little upset that the big parade was soaked with rain, but they made the most of it anyway. The soppy weather slowed down the pace from a jump to a chip, and Mr. Dale went home as road march king for Soka Junkie.
Over in Antigua Lord Satalyte made up for his second place finish at soca monarch...by leaving all competition in his dust come Carnival Tuesday. Antigua’s new road march is a chune called OK Papi. It’s one them songs nobody knows the right words for, but they love it bad!
For all the carnivals this year, we got to enjoy seeing a few new faces in the limelight. Seems like the people have spoken and it’s time for something new. Down at Spice mas they tried something new LAST week, when they held the first ever Village soca monarch competition. Ten soca artists were selected to represent their home towns, competing for soca supremacy. The inaugural Village Soca King is Lavaman with his smash hit Ah Cyah Hear. He beat out Tallpree’s “Trees” and Berbice with “Traffic”.
Gouyave posse, I hate to say it, but you weren’t placing in the village show, and the luck wasn’t THAT much better on the national stage. Mr. Killa has been officially dethroned of both his soca monarch titles. At the Groovy competition, Wednesday , Killa had to give his crown to last year’s Calypso King, Finley “Scholar” Jeffrey. Landing himself with a measely 8th place finish for his country-style soca tune, Rider.
This weekend, insult was added to injury as Killa had to settle for third place in Power Soca behind Luni Sparks and Eliectrify and Inspector.
Up here in Ontario, some of us continued to jump up at Hamilton Caribbean carnival yesterday. Glue guns and safety pins gave last week’s Caribana mas a last hurrah in the sunlight. If your feet, still have a little bounce left next weekend…head over to Ottawa for the grand finale of Caribe-Expo…The parade is on Saturday, just be sure and dry clean yuh costume!
I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Please text me your comments at 9-3-5-9-3-5. Now back to de docta!

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