It's September 30th! I was just about to hightail it to the suburbs to cut cake with my brother who turns 28 today. When I phoned and found out that he was getting ready for bed, it occurred to me that somebody else I know is celebrating a birthday today as well.
So...birthday greeting go out to Bomani! I happen to know he's not 28...but who's really counting?
As per my usual custom, I figured I'd share a little viz for your viewing pleasure.
Check out the video for "Sweetness". This song was released for Vincy Mas 2006. The video which came out waaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy after, features a cameo from 2008 Vincy Ragga Soca Monarch Queen, Danielle "Dani-O" Ollivierre.
Bomani is definitely a cutie. This one is even more entertaining since you get to see de yout man dancing choreography.
The action last night was late in coming...but eventually things heated up Brooklyn stylee! One thing I kinda like about the New York vibe, is that no matter where you're from... you can find a group of your people from back home liming at all hours. We hit up Cafe Omar in Flatbush.
That was where most of the Vincies dem were making merry. I joined in for a bit.
Big up to all the performers: Dennis Bowman, Gideon James, Dani.O, Lively, Icon, Skinny Fabulous, Jamesy P, Bomani.
Soca Jones, as always...I appreciate what you do. Keep promoting the culture.
Blackroots...next time walk with your phone, but thanks anyway!
So, the best way to tell you what happened is to show you.
Check out all the video clips and let me know who is YOUR soca monarch!
First up: Dani.O, Skarpyon, Coyaba and Poorsah...
Next up: The title winning performance from Skinny Fabulous!
Congratulations on your first Soca Monarch win. You called it! I'm soooooooo happy for you.
Introducing: Danielle Veira
You've heard/seen me talk about her in The Rounds. Here's her debut solo performance in the soca monarch show. She's just 18, with a voice like a lion. The tune is called "Wuk up your waist" on the Gladiator Riddim by Studio 758, St. Lucia.
The man and dem are waiting for a little more meat on the bones before they decide, but if you listen to music with your ears, you know what time it is.
Performance Time: Fire Empress and Bomani
Fire Empress is a stylish woman with an ear for quality. This year's entry Mamalaya is blazing up the charts on Toronto-Lime.com.
Bomani is no stranger to the Soca Monarch stage. In 2004, he was crowned SVG Soca Monarch with I AM SOCA. This year, he's riding down the highway and looking great doing it.
Chune Again!: Problem Child and Icon
Problem Child was the 2007 road march king of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, but he's never entered the SVG Soca Monarch Competition until now. Decked in designer duds, Problem...it's gonna be a serious problem!
Icon on the other hand is a country boy with a flare for two things, Booming vocals and Kicksy lyrics. Overseas, most people only know him from his song on the 2005 Lavaslide Riddim. Country, country, side!!!! Before that, he had a song called Coconuts that will help you make sense of the double entendre slackness he brought in 2008: A Pain!
Vincy Variety: Alla-G, Fullclip, Homey, Maddzart
Alla-G likes to keep the mood light and local. This time he's "Sharing Horn". How generous.
As for Fullclip, remember his tune Frenzy last year? If not, go to YouTube and check out my video UK Frenzy. That's the song I used. In my opinion, it was the most slept on song of Vincy Mas 'O7. He can do it sweet or rub-a-dub style. Move - Big Truck Coming!
Homey's song is called Drunk and Dutty. Well, in the spirit of the lyrics a loyal fan bowled him a Hairoun can in he head. I know that has nothing to do with the clip I have attached here. It was so mean...but classic. Don't mess with that crowd. I have to hand it to him for continuing without missing a beat.
Maddzart! It was so good to see you on that stage tonight. Carnival is mine! Every time you sing "Nasty Wukking Up", I have to get on bad. Thanks for making me dance.
The Home Stretch: Zoelah, KGB, Tamisha Nichols, Fireman Hooper Miss Go-Down-Low has her Hand In the Air this year. Each of her 3 releases did well this carnival, but not well enough to place in either Ragga Soca or Soca Monarch. We all know that's not going to stop Wine Up On Me from tearing up internationally.
KGB is a rather sweet guy who was totally confused that I knew who he was. Well, Kevin Browne...you're a soca artiste and I study soca. We on the same page now? Single Till Carnival Done? OK, but I'm sure your girlfriend can figure out how you spend your time too!
Tamisha is completely adorable. Earlier this season she competed in the Miss SVG pageant. And from what I can tell she's getting friendly with fellow artiste, Landlord. There are a few soca romances in SVG, but that's besides the point.
Somebody say FYAH!!!!! six-time soca monarch champ, Fireman Hooper lost his crown tonight. As you can see from the video, he's still the king to many of the fans in the crowd. By the way, Tabia and Mr. Playhouse, allyuh get ketch in this one.
I'm Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay's Rounds. The calendar says it's summer now, and all attention focuses on the Caribbean. If you're looking for me this time next week I will be in sweet St. Vincent and the Grenadines preparing the place for Dr. Jay's arrival.
Belated birthday greetings to Sheldon "Shel Shok" Benjamin. of the big band Atlantik. I missed you last rounds, but we'll catch up next weekend at Insomnia in SVG.
Some of Atlantik liming at GLOW SVG last year.
(Shel Shok is the long one in the back!)
Last week's ragga soca monarch competition proved to be a big upset at Victoria Park. Zoelah fans: if you haven't heard by now, your girl's performance of Wine Up On Me simply did not cut it for the judges, leaving her out of the top 3. From all accounts Zoelah, who had performed at Wet Fete (in the rain) the night before was sounding PRETTY hoarse. So top marks went to Dani-O instead, who shocked onlookers with a stellar performance of Gimme Mo. Next up was Skarypon with Forever, and Galanaire in third place with "Do YOU"
Summer time means summer music, so if you haven't already picked up your copy of Soca Gold 2008, now would be the time to make that happen. It's currently ranked #1 on the Billboard Reggae charts (Dah don't really make sense to ME, but whatever!) VP records chose big tracks from Big Artistes like Mr. Dale's Soka Junkie, Faye-Ann Lyons – Get On, and Ricky T "Pressure Boom!"
2008 TT Road March Queen Faye-Ann in Toronto last month
Right around Caribana time, our friends in Antigua will jumping up in the hot sun as well. So, naturally, that means a new batch of jam band music is cooking up as we speak. Look out from a new album from Red Hot Flames. Oungku is real excited about the CD. The title will either be called SHAOLIN TEMPO (you know how West Indians love dey Kung Fu) OR it may be called "SCYATTAH"! He says this album is going to be a musical bomb – A weapon of Mas' disruption, so that's what people will do when it drops! Look for it the first week of July!
I'm Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay's Rounds. Take a moment to check out (Nurse) Karen (Etc) at Mustard Seeds dot net over the next three weeks, as I keep you up to date with my Vincy Mas diary. I'll also be taking in St. Lucia's soca monarch finals, to stay tuned for pictures and video from that! Now, back to de docta...
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I'm Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay's Rounds. It's big carnival weekend right now in the States. With Philly, Tampa and West Palm Beach revelling in the sun, it's no wonder there's so much weet soca music in the air.
The Luminat'eau festival is heating up the Harbourfront Centre this weekend. Last night, hundreds of fans got a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see live FREE performances from Calypso great David Rudder and Reggae Rude Bwoy Jr. Reid. That was the lime for me yesterday before I rode east for "The Buzz." Big up Soca Sweetness...for a fete that can only be described as HAWT!!! Soca Twins ripped it. X-caliber mashed it up...and KOS dunned de place for good measure.
The Soca Twins: Boone Shatta and Frankie Fyah
It was good to see Boone and Frankie Germany's Soca Twins sound on their first appearance in Toronto. And to Mr. Slaughter, nice to see your bamsie back in Toronto after too long! But dahlin' Germany is not NOW and has NEVER been an island. Please take note:
Mr. Slaughter
Big weekend in St. Vincent and the Grenadines! Last night was the annual H20 Soca Wet Fete. This year Machel Montano HD was the headline entertainment alongside a stellar cast of energetic local performers.
At 8 o'clock tonight SVG will make history as theCarnival Development Corporation will stage the ever Ragga Soca Monarch competition during the carnival calendar. Ragga Soca in St.Vincent and Barbados is what the Trini's and Grenadians refer to as groovy. In years gone by this competition was held in the month of October as part of the nation's independence celebrations. Tonight 15 finalists will vie for the crown. The competitors were selected from44 entrants. The last winner was Skarpyon, he's back with a sweetlove joint called Forever. Hoping to stick it to him is Zoelah, Dani-O, Karen Veira, KC, Tabia, Skinny Fabulous and Blakey, Bomani, Dennis Bowman, Squitty, Bam, Shady, Fullclip, Shaunelle and Galanaire. Dah show go be nice!
St. Lucia's Carnival officially opened about ten days ago with the largest launch in its history. Organizers are hyped that this is going to be the biggest year yet, with a record 12 competitive mas bands including a brand new entry called Toxik. That was the inspiration for Ricky T's song of the same name…so you know where to find him onde road carnival Tuesday. Wham to Dem!
I'm Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay's Rounds. Please share yourcomments online at the Nurse Karen Etc Blog at triple w dot mustardseeds dot net…and make sure you download the podcast. Now back to de doctor!
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