Eye Unit: Hunter - Puncheon (Video), my cultural critique

I'm posting this video for three reasons:

1.  The song is popular
2.  I know most of you haven't seen the video yet
3.  I would like to use it to illustrate a point

Allow me to be honest with you for a moment.  I'm tired hearing the same themes in Soca and Chutney "OVER and OVER"....(Benjai, you were ahead of your time).  The fact that this song is about drinking rum comes as no surprise.  But why not? Is there nothing else to sing about?  Honestly, not being much of a drinker myself...and a bit of an intellectual at that, I tend to crave a little substance in music, in order to help us a West Indian people to elevate our consciousness using our most influential cultural medium, the music.

Instead, the trend is to make songs about stereotypical behaviour.  Releasing another chutney song about rum drinking is akin to a black artiste making a song about eating chicken and watermelon.  And that would be downright ridiculous, right?  Well, in my opinion, it all is.  Sure, carnival is about fun and revelry, but I can't imagine looking back at my career and discovering that my only lasting legacy is the glorification of alcohol use and sexual promiscuity.

 DISCLAIMER: This is not an attack on Hunter.  He's a decent guy, trying to continue growing his career in a tough market, where he is but a small part of a big machine that has already prescribed his role.

As we seek to take this music beyond the sandy shores of our islands to the world at large, what do we want to say?  As we invest in our cultural art forms to give Caribbean youth a sense of identity and place in a shrinking world, what do with wish them to believe about themselves.

Many of you will disagree with me.  Some will say I'm too serious.  Others still are only interested in soca music because of its apparent lawlessness.  To each his or her own.  As for me, I believe our men are more than drunken limers.  Maybe that's just me.

With no further ado, it's my (dis) pleasure to present to you the latest full length TV commercial for Puncheon and White Oak.



Love and Legacy,

Nurse Karen

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Booster Shot: The Asylum Family sticks it to Miami promoters

More than other penny pinching promoters throughout the socaverse, Miami party promoters are known to cut corners when hosting events. I talk to artists all the time, and it may suprise you to learn that for Miami Carnival MOST soca perfomers have to pay for their own flights, hotel stays and meals. Several promoters are known to pay up late, or not at all. Some of the biggest events only pay about 20% of their billed artistes, while the other cast members perform just for the hope of greater exposure.Of course, you have those who also advertise artists and DJs who aren't even confirmed, then have the nerve to ask patrons to pay handsomely for tickets that would probably cost less in any other city. I'm no artiste, but that kinda treatment would be enough to discourage me from my craft. If you can't even expect to profit from performances in front of huge crowds that earn US dollars, when can you expect to make a buck?

I dunno if any of you have heard about this new fete happening in Miami during Columbus Day weekend this year. But, there's a little something called Miami Vice, happening on Friday, October 9th on the actual set of Miami Vice, the Ice Palace.

I felt like personally throwing my love behind this event for what it represents. So before anyone is too quick to talk. This is not a paid advertisement. I wrote this because, I support the music, the music-makers, and anyone who believes in excellence.

Miami Vice was the brainchild of Fay-Ann Lyons. After several bad experiences fighting for the respect of persons who feign to

PROMOTE the soca artform, she and husband Bunji Garlin thought it would be a good

idea to put their money behind a Miami-based event that would showcase soca in a professional manner.

So beyond the fact that the thing goes down at a mansion/film studio made famous by a TV series that literally put the city of

Miami on the map, there are other noteworthy factors that make this fete worth supporting with your dolla-dolla bills y'all:

1. ARTIST DRIVEN: I told you all that. The Asylum camp ARE the promoters.
2. CONFIRMED CAST: Bunji and Fay called up a few of their best buddies in the business. They WILL be there; Beenie Man, Benjai, Biggie Irie, Denise Belfon, Hunter, Kevin Lyttle, Peter Ram, Problem Child, Sizwe C,

Skinny Fabulous, Trini Jacobs...
3. NO TRACKS! The entire cast will be backed by the Asylum Band. Dem boyz are working overtime in rehearsals learning the music for that long @$$ list of guests. Most of these artists do not travel with bands, so this is a rare chance to catch the kind of energy live music alone can inspire.

4. PRICE: It's 35 Bucks...what is that $2.50 per artist? It's cheaper than most of the other local offerings on the same night.

Knowing what most of these acts charge, I really have no idea how they're even making money on this event.

I love soca, but I freely admit that there are a lot of things that

happen behind the scenes making this business very dirty and cruel at times. So congratulations to all of the people working hard behind the scenes to make Miami Vice a success. From what I understand, regular people have been volunteering

their time and creativity to make sure the word gets out. I sincerely hope that in doing this, all of you begin to send a strong message to some of the players in the game who have been breaking the rules for far too long.

I will be there, and if anyone wants to join me, you can buy advance tickets HERE

Miami Vice Ad - Fay-Ann Lyons, Bunji Garlin, Hunter, Skinny Fabulous, Problem Child

Love and higher standards in soca,

Nurse Karen

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Booster Shot: No Money for Fay-Ann, the Bacchanal Continues.

Booster Shot:  The soca Monarch drama continues in good old Trinidad.  Last night at the so-called prize giving ceremony, a glamorous post pregnancy Fay-Ann Lyons left without a penny for her soca monarch wins.  The prize distribution and awards ceremony was held at the Cacadia Hotel in St. Ann’s Trinidad. Lyons expected to be awarded TT $1 million and a car for International Soca Monarch.  For Groovy Monarch the prize owed prize is $150,000.  She also earned an additional $50,000 for being voted People’s Choice.   Many artistes boycotted the event.

The organization responsible for staging the soca monarch show, The Caribbean Prestige Foundation, is claiming that Lyons failed to sign a contract with CPF, and as a result no cheque was issued. The document requires her to defend her titles next season, while restricting her from accessing the complete sum owed to her for this year’s success.

According to Newsday, Fay-Ann says the contract in question was presented to her after the competition, stipulating that she give five per cent of her winnings to the Caribbean Prestige Foundation.  I also read that the Toyota vehicle she won, and the cash would be held until said contract was signed. Both Fay-Ann and husband Ian Alvarez...Bunji Garlin, expressed opinions their disgust over mandatory conditions being tied to the prize moneys after the fact.  The CPF Executive President, Greg Fernandez, told the media that contracts were given to all artistes at the draw for positions, days before the finals.

While many artistes admit to receiving their contracts ahead of time, Fay-Ann Lyons and Bunji Garlin are certainly not the only two who refused to sign away five per cent of the prize money.  The list of artists left hanging by the situation includes Nadia Batson, Hunter, Shurwayne Winchester, all who did not receive appearance fees and prize monies.  However, the Guardian is reporting that Blaxx and Kerwin Du Bois, were paid in spite of their choice not to sign the document as well. As you might guess, five percent was deducted without their consent.

It’s a sticky situation, further casting a shadow of doubt over the CPF for its shrewd approach to capitalizing on the soca culture.  If I may throw my voice into the debate, I’ve got to ask:  Mr. Fernandez, do your corporate sponsors at bMobile and the National Lotteries know that your organization was attempting to siphon a percentage of THEIR money back into the CPF purse?  Where I come from, we call that fraud.  If the money your organization received was earmarked for prizes, better yet, if you are going to publicly advertize the rewards at a certain value, you are obligated to pay all of that money to those who worked for it, THE ARTISTS.  Maybe you’d understand me better if I speak in showbiz terms.  PAY THE TALENT.  Sounds to me, this was never about carnival and culture for you anyway.  So, the CPF thinks they have the right to enforce some kind of income tax?  Ok whatever...well next year, I hope you announce that loud and clear while you’re boasting about your million dollar top prize. 

The organizers should be embarassed.  

For my earlier coverage of this schupitness:

http://mustardseedmedia.blogspot.com/2009/03/rounds-false-alarm-cpf-to-pay-fay-ann.html

http://mustardseedmedia.blogspot.com/2009/03/booster-shot-fay-anns-soca-monarch.html

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Booster Shot: Dominica Soca Monarch kicks off on Valentine's Day

For many, February 14th is all about chocolate, flowers and streaming romance. But this year soca fans in Dominica will have to reschedule the mushy stuff. Tonight is all about Soca Monarch.

The event takes place at Pottersville Savannah. There will be feature performances from MFR Band and WCK, plus dancehall artiste Wayne Marshall. The 2009 Champion will win cash prize of $10,000 and a scooter valued at $15,000.

In order of appearance, here are the 12 competitors tonight:

De Hunter
Clinty (2008 1st runner up)
Mr. Benjie of Triple Kay - "Fire"
DJ Midian of Esclav - "My time"
Daddy Chess (Defending 2008 Soca Monarch) - "Ready or not"
Skinny Banton of CK4Lyfe - "Get up"
Mr. Mystic - "Take a pause"
Benno of Esclav - "We like it"
Lloydie - "Another year"
Falcon - "Carnival"
Ja Foxx - "Down de road"
Anwa Cadette of WCK Band - "Carnival zombie"


The winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000 and a scooter compliments R.C Enterprises valued at $15,000.

Cuffy said a “bumper crowd” is expected since Jamaican reggae/dancehall artiste; Wayne Marshall will be the headline of the night.

“Mr. Wayne Marshall has promised to come down and deliver a fantastic performance for the ladies. There might be a very special surprise that he may bring in from Jamaica as well, but we will wait and see what is happening. But definitely we know that the acts of Jamaica have lived up to expectations and have delivered once they have reached to Dominica’s shores. Las t year we had Mr. Vegas.

“It’s Valentine’s night. We expect every Dominica to walk with a rag; walk with a flag. It’s the first major event since the opening,” he said.

The MFR Band of Portsmouth, the WCK Band and other bands will also entertain the audience at Potters Ville Savannah.

Tickets can be bought at Bulls Eye Pharmacy, Depex Colour Lab and Frontline Bookstore for $25. The damage at the gate is $30.

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The Rounds: Machel launches his first book, Boy Boy and the Magic Drum

Good Evening Soca Lovers,

I'm Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay's Rounds.  First, I want to wish all Grenadians a very Happy Independence weekend.  February 7^th marked 35 years since Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique officially became a nation. 

Cruising south in the Caribbean Sea, we hit Trinidad and Tobago.  The Carnival season is really starting to heat up with new results every day!  ...And we're off!  On Friday, season four of Synergy Soca Star came to a close with Richard "Chynee" Valentine taking the top prize. He performed "Carnival Bacchanal" with KMC in Round One to a screaming house, and really sealed the deal in round two with his solo performance of "They Wanna Be Like". Skinner Park sang along word for word, as the one called Chynee sang his way to victory.  He gets a bMobile recording contact and a brand new car.  Sounds like a great start to his new career.

Last night, the hot ticket in San Fernando was the 2009 Chutney Soca Monarch Finals. Ten acts took a shot at the crown, but it was first time finalist Kenneth Salick who would eventually be named the winner.  Salick has made it as far as the semis 3 times in years gone by, but this time around he took it all the way with Radica/Why You Gone.  The results were decided exclusively by mobile text messages from the general public.  So, the fans have spoken.  

Here's what they said.  In fourth place is visually impaired artist, Asha Kamachee, in third is Hunter with Jep Sting Naina.  Ravi B is runner up with Doolarie, and first...you already know that part.

On Wednesday, Machel Montano launched his first ever children's book, "Boy Boy and the Magic Drum" at Trinidad's National Library.   The fictional tale pays tribute to Trinidad and Tobago, as the nation that magically transformed dirty oil drums, into beautiful musical instruments.  Machel told the media that the project took him four years to complete, but he's already got plans for a second book called, "The Perfect Situation."  The pages of Boy Boy came to life yesterday afternoon in  a live musical presentation at the Jean Pierre Complex in Port of Spain.

I'm Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay's Rounds.  Check me out online at the Nurse Karen Etc blog at www.mustardseeds.net for video clips of the events mentioned tonight and RESULTS from the International Soca Monarch Semi-Finals, happening RIGHT NOW. Now, back to de docta!

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Booster Shot: Kenneth Salick is the new Trinidad Chuney Soca Monarch!

Trindiad found itself a new Chutney Soca Monarch, in Kenneth Salick last night.  He's not a newcomer to the competition, having competed in the semi-finals on three previous occasions.  The winning tune, Radica (Why You Leave) tells the tale of Salick's  broken marriage. Be that as it may, 2009 brought new luck with a song and performance that was good enough to surpass competition from the likes of Hitman, Hunter, and Rikki Jai. The results were decided exclusively by mobile text votes from the general public.  After last night's win, Kenneth Salick is $200,000 richer.  Each contestant receives a guaranteed $30,000 prize for making it to the finals. 

The 2009 Chutney Soca Monarch Finals took place at Skinner Park in San Fernando.  The evening consisted of a pre-show by the N9 Dancers, T&TEC Gayatones and the Susan Mohip Dancers. The main events feaured performances from ten finalists including the bMobile wilcard entrant, Asha Kamachee who is legally blind.  She managed to cop the fourth place spot.  

Here are the results of the  2009 NLCB Chutney Soca Monarch Finals:

1. Kenneth Salick - "Radica Why You Leave" - $200, 000

2. Ravi B /Ravi Bissembhar - "Doolarie"

3. Hunter / Lalchan Babwah - "Jep Sting Naina"

4. Asha Kamachee - "Kasai Salona"

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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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Booster Shot: More International Soca Awards Results

I now have the official press release from the Soca Awards Organization.

Here are a few results that were missing from my post yesterday. Congrats to all the winners!

Female Soca Vocalist of the Year - Mo Wuk, Patrice Roberts

Best New Male Soca Artist of the Year
Problem Child

Problem Child in Toronto (2007)

Male Soca Vocalist of the Year

Carnival Please Stay by Shurwyne Winchester

Shurwayne in St. Vincent (2006)

Soca Duo or Group of the Year
3 Canal

Best Soca Compilation Album/CD of the Year
Soca Gold - Various Artist 1 2008

Over All Soca Chutney Artist of the Year
Hunter

Over All Soca Chutney Band of the Year
JMC Triveni

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Booster Shot: Take a Trip With Me to Trinidad (Video)

If you bounced me in Trinidad for Carnival, you likely saw me grabbing little clips of everything. Somehow, I lost half of them - but the rest are edited into a nice little mini-movie for your pleasure.

See if you can spot yourself...or any of your favorite soca stars.

Ready to take a trip with me to Trinidad?

Click Here ---->

*** remember, there are lots more videos where that came from. search "mustardseedk" on YouTube, for a complete list!

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Booster Shot: Somebody say Tribe in de air!

Lemme tell you a lil sumting! Either everyone in Trinidad is a millionaire, or de promoters and dem really not interested in letting regular people in they fetes. Not so sure what kinda people are the ones gobbling up the tickets like rice and peas at Sunday dinner...but ah figure not every one is so ready to part with that kinda money. Did I say that already?

So where did I leave off? Yesterday, after cooling out at Beachhouse in the sun and in de rain we dragged our tired botttoms back home for a quick fresh. Then we turned around twice and headed to the Oval for the Tribe All-Inclusive. Tribe is one the best party bands in Trinidad. De mas could be so-so...but the vibes don't stop flowing. The party was the same. Took a lil while to get inside, but only because I was rolling with humanitarians who were holding pre-purchased tix for friends and stangers who didn't want to pay the extra $50 TT at the door. Dat is like $8...I would a let dem stand in line. But you dun know ah wikked.

So de lime outside de gate was cool. We saw de djs and dem biding they time until their sets. Hoppie, D'Bandit, and Playhouse...all made time for a photo op with me! (Ah de subtle power of words)



I heard Kes and Nadia dem singing they lungs out. My friend say she was able to ketch a glimpse of de man's bare chest on the big screen . I guess that's some kinda highlight, me ain't know. Jamesy P was next. Ah don't feel he was happy about that...having to sing two tunes over tracks, with a stadium full of Bashment Freaks still balling for Nookie with Kees.

Sometime in the DJ set we completed our duties at de door..and we came inside. Dat was a nice fete. Hands down, one of the best I've been to in some time. I have to thanks the worker bees at the gate for my rag and those non-discript pieces of jewellery. I doh self know what they be...but they pretty.

The show rolled on...Hunter, Bunji, Faye-Ann, Destra, Tizzy, Sean Paul, Beenie...woy! It was so sweet to see Bunji back in fine form. If marriage has taught the man anything, it's staying power and resilience. He was on fire. Lyrics, energy, stamina for dayz! The highlight of the night was a free-style battle between Beenie Man and Bunji Garlin that lasted could 30 mins. Trinidad's son won hands down! And the Jamaican rude bwoy conceded defeat by saying..."Bunji Garlin is one of the best, if not THE BEST DJ in the Caribbean." And with that, he walked off the stage.

Speaking of DJs...as in the kind that actually spin music fuh make people dance and ting. We had some great company in the Xcaliber International squad. Mr. Slaughter, Jester, Walshy from Black Chiney and Kid Kut...were by de wall getting the wine on to de soca.



At the end of the fete, it was hilarious watching all the men on the prowl. Not saying any of the ones ah already mentioned, but it was like vultures preying on dead tired women. De crew and I fought off our fair share and found the car. Big up to de chauffeur for getting us home safe and sound!

Lemme ketch a few winks. I have to recharge my Girl Power. Island People mas got next!

I'm Nurse Karen and that's your Booster Shot.

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