On De Scene : HP Dethrones two-time Soca Monarch King Ricky T

A mere few hours ago St.Lucia crowned their new Power Soca King HP. History was made at Socarific Saturday with a Disc Jockey claiming the crown and he did STOP Ricky, in what could be described as an intense battle for the crown. The results of the night :

1^st – HP

2^nd Ricky T

3^rd Superman HD

Tonight the Groovy King with his sweet melodies undoubtedly retained the crown with a second consecutive win, in this competition. With fourteen competitors vying for the crown , one could have concluded from the onset that it was not leaving the King , Alpha. Results were for this segment were :

1^st Alpha

2^nd Superman HD

3^rd Nicole David.

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On De Scene : Socarific Saturday- St.Lucia Carnival 2010

Today, July 10th 2010 the Cultural Development Foundation Presents the 1st ever "Socarific Saturday" Following in the footsteps of our sister island Trinidad , the Groovy and Power Soca Monarch will be held together hence the show was dubbed "Socarific Saturday"!

Tonight , 30 songs are expected to be performed including that of the reigning Kings of both competitions.; (Alpha - Groovy and Ricky T - Power ) , beginning at 8 p.m. at the Mindoo Phillip Park.

Grooovy Competitors :

Menel- Boy You Have Me

Nintus-Don't Apologize

Stacy- One Last Chance

Nicole David - Mr. Dean Dough

Q-Pid - Leave Me Alone

Toya- De Key

Mubarak -Love This Feeling

Phyness - Carnival In Me

Blaze- I Cyan Wait

Superman HD - Gros Pwel

Mantius Carnival Come Back Again

Louie Dan - Jumping Again

Esteban - Jammin It Again

T.C. Brown- Ah Taking Ah Whine



Power Soca Competitors:

DJ HP- Pa Melé

Teddyson John- Rags

Esteban- Big Hit

Alpha- Anything

Ambi- Push Dem

Blaze- Blaze It Up

Ilah Man- Mad People Segment

Superman HD- Ready 4 Dem

Q-Pid- Palé Palé

Mubarak- Wave Something

Kakal- Bomb Song

Mantius- Carnival Is Here

Private Six- Have No Head

Platinum George- Cigarette and Rum

Peace and Soca

Rochelle

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On De Scene : Nicole David - Outrageous Wine (Video)

This post is long overdue! Carnival in St.Lucia has been a MAS-confusion! Many persons have complained about aspects of the cultural event which has been lacking this year; and fingers have been pointed left , right and center but fortunately mere weeks before the street jump up , it appears the season has picked up a life of its own!

Nicole David, who was notably low key last season , appears to be one of the few artists leading this season. This week , she released her latest music video of one of the season's favorite "Outrageous Wine". This video was shot in St.Lucia and directed by the well known Davina Lee.

Must admit , SMOKING video! Do enjoy guys!

Signing out from my Island Paradise (St.Lucia)

Peace and Soca

Rochelle

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On De Scene : St.Lucia Carnival Calendar 2010

It has been a while soca lovers but Carnival is a mere 3 months away in St.Lucia and promoters, artists and bands are not wasting any time with starting up the festivities! I must admit this year things are shaping up nicely. So eager!

So here is an update on everything St.Lucia Carnival

NG Soca Stage will be kicking things off with their first event dubbed "Soca Therapy" on April 17th 2010. Music is coming in slowly as everyone paces themselves to what is expected to be a successful season.

Also the following bands have announced their Launch dates :

Just 4 Fun Carnival Band portraying " THE GREAT LOVES OF THE PAST" - April 24th , 2010

Red Unlimited Carnival Band portraying " UNSPOKEN DESIRES" - May 8th,2010

Toxik Carnival Band portraying "MAS BEYOND" - May 15th, 2010

From the looks of things, 2010 has by few more websites pertaining solely to St.Lucia Carnival on de scene.

www.luciancarnival.com

www.slucarnival.com

www.stluciacarnival.net

So what excuse you have for not being informed? NONE!

Lastly , I was fortunate to get my hands on the Calendar of Events for St.Lucia Carnival 2010 compliments www.stluciacarnival.net .

SAINT LUCIA CARNIVAL 2010

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Events marked with a Red Astrix will be broadcasted live on the website.

• Lucian Line Jam – Monday 24^th May – 2:00 pm

• Press & Sponsors Launch – Wednesday 26^th May – 8:00 pm

• Official Carnival Launch – Sunday 30^th May – 3:00 pm*

• Carnival Queen Show – Sunday 27^th June – 6:00 pm*

• Kaiso Headquarters – Friday 2^nd July – 8:30 pm

• Groovy Soca Monarch – Saturday 3^rd July – 8:00 pm*

• RC Jam – Sunday 4^th July – 4:00 pm

• Calypso Semi Finals – Sunday 4^th July – 4:00 pm*

• Soca Monarch Finals – Saturday 10^th July- 8:00 pm*

• National Junior Carnival – Sunday 11^th July – 1:00 pm

• Carnival Arts Exhibition – Monday 12^th – Friday 16^th July – 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

• Mas On The Square – Monday 12^th – Wednesday 14^th July – 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
• Mas On The Square – Thursday 15^th – Friday 16^th July – 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm

• Inter Commercial House Calypso Competition – Thursday 15^th July – 8:00 pm*

• Panorama – Friday 16^th July – 8:00 pm

• Muzik An Nou (The Music In Us) - Saturday 17^th July – 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

• Calypso Monarch Finals – Saturday 17^th July – 8:00 pm*

• King & Queen Of The Bands & Caribbean Soca Monarch – Sunday 18^thJuly – 8:00 pm*

• J’Ouvert – Monday 19^th July – 4:00 am to 8:00 am

• The Pageant - Monday 19^th July – 11:00 am to 8:00 pm*

• Parade of the Bands – Tuesday 20^th July – 10:00 am to 7:00 pm*

Please Note: Dates and Events are subject to change; Venues will be announced at a later date;

For more information please contact

The Cultural Development Foundation

Barnard Hill, Castries

Tel: +1 (758) -452-1859

e-mail: cdf@candw.lc

Stay Tuned Guys as St.Lucia Carnival Unfolds.

Peace and Soca

Rochelle

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The Rounds: Usain Bolt jumps into the action for Bacchanal J'ouvert

Good Evening Soca Lovers, I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Jamaicas two carnivals come to a dramatic end this weekend. Friday night, revellers, artistes and local heros got together in a cloud of mud, powder, paint and water for Bacchanal J’ouvert. Jamaican dancehall king and carnival lover Sean Paul, was sorry he had to run away from the excitement early to catch a flight to Australia, but the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt was in no rush for J’ouvert to end. Nope, not at all...he was in the middle of the action at Mas Camp in Kingston covered from hear to toe in Blue and White paint!

Photo of Usain Bolt courtesy of www.jamaica-gleaner.com

Over in Virgin Gorda, King Paido won his 4th Calypso Monarch Title with the songs “Time to Check Ourselves”, and “Dey Pon Farmville” a chune about that game on Facebook that half of you are probably playing right now. So now he’s got four wins in Virgin Gorda, the last being in 2000, to match the four wins he has in Tortola as well. If you ask me, there’s a good reason they call the man King.

St. Thomas has crowned their first ever party monarch last weekend, and HER name is Rudy! The addition of the competition, is a definite step in the right direction for Soca Music in the US Virgin Islands. The tune is called Pressure Me and a video for said song is just around the corner. So don’t forget to check me for that when the time comes.

After this weekend, the next big carnivals on deck are St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia. But New Yorkers will be plunged headlong into both carnivals before the soca lovers in the island even get to. Last night in Brooklyn, the Vincy community paid tribute to one of its best loved calypso and soca artists, POORSAH. This year marks 30 years in the biz for the iconic political and social commentator. Known for his tiny stature, nasal voice and frantic running and pacing on stage, Poorsah has 5 road march titles under his belt.

Poorsah at SVG Soca Monarch Semifinals, 2008

St. Lucians in New York are gearing up for... “I must be in dat” the event dubbed as the Official US launch of St. Lucia Carnival. It will feature 2010 mas presentations from a variety of popular mas bands, top DJS, and of course, performances from a cast of St. Lucian artists. I think the best thing about it is that Brooklynites will get a chance to register for Lucian Carnival costumes on site, before they even book flights to head to home in July.

When I was in Trinidad for Carnival, I was surprised to turn on the TV and see that Akil Borneo, a popular DJ on 96 We FM had put out a song as a soca artist under the name 5Star Akil. Well, that same guy made news for a completely different reason this past week. On Thursday Akil narrowly escaped death after being shot 5 times in St James Trinidad. He was rushed to hospital where he was swiftly operated on. While he’s not completely out of the woods yet, the good news is, he is in stable condition with hopes to recover.

My shot of Akil on the mic Carnival Tuesday 2009 with Evolution mas band, Trinidad

Before I go, special belated birthday greetings go out to Knycky Cordner who celebrated her special day on Monday in Trinidad. Patrice Roberts turns 25 today, and Sizwe C turns 30 on the 16th. Happy Birthday to all. I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. For more info on everything I mentioned tonight, visit me online at Nurse dash Karen dot com, or follow your favourite non-medical Nurse on Twitter. Twitter dot com slash Nurse Karen. Now back to de Docta!

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Booster Shot: Nicole David to star in new St. Lucian drama series

These days an artist has got to hustle to make it.  So, I'm happy to see that the entertainment community in St. Lucia is banding together to produce a drama series that will feature some of its stars. Viewers can look forward to soap opera style melodrama, and real bacchanal.

Look forward to seeing former road march queen Nicole David as never before!  She will play the role of Mrs. Dexter.  A wealthy homemaker who discreetly controls the drug trade on the island.  Ooooh sneaky!

The show is directed by Jose Torso, who is also a local artiste.

Check out this promo video:



Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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Booster Shot: Eastern Caribbean Ferry Service makes Carnival hopping much easier!

Wouldn't it be cool if you could take a ferry boat from one island to the next to check out carnival celebrations all summer long? Very soon, you will be able to, as a new, affordable ferry service to be launched in October will link the islands of St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Grenada, Barbados and Trinidad.

Read more...

CARIBBEAN FERRY SERVICE TO BE LAUNCHED NEXT MONTH

By Al Edwards

Friday, September 18, 2009

A new ferry service linking the Caribbean is earmarked to be launched at the end of next month. Owned and operated by BEDY Oceanlines, this latest attempt at regional transportation will have its inaugural launch on October 20.

This service will focus more on the Eastern Caribbean taking in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St Lucia, St Vincent and Grenada. The plan is to add more islands as it becomes more established. According to BEDY Oceanlines, the service will be offered daily with two bases: one in St Vincent responsible for the St Vincent to Barbados and St Lucia routes, the other in Grenada which will service the Grenada to Trinidad and Barbados route.

One of the main hindrances to the effectiveness of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) has been a viable

To get the full story, read CLICK HERE

Sounds good huh? Next June how about we start out at Vincy Mas, move up to St. Lucia Carnival, Over to Barbados, and close out at Spice Mas? Are you in?

Love and Carnivel,

Nurse Karen

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Eye Unit: Ninja Dan murder trial update TV report

People are always asking me about what's the latest with St. Lucian former soca monarch, Jonathan "Ninja Dan" St. Rose. It's a question I haven't been able to answer, since not much has happened apart from locking him up without bail. Other than that, a date was set for a sufficiency hearing to determine whether or not he will be granted a trial in relation to the Valentine's Day murder for which he and two other are accused. The hearing is set for Thursday. Until then, here's a glimpse of what the St. Lucian media has to say about Ninja Dan as an artiste, mentor and a man.

Hopefully this will help to clarify the situation a little better than I can. Kudos to HTS for such this more sympathetic approach to the story.

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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On De Scene : Bingo Fires up the St.Lucia Calypso Arena!

This has been the talk of town in St.Lucia and a lot of people have added their two cents on the issue, contending that it was not wrong but rather the institutions have failed and it goes on.

Bingo (Courtesy the St.Lucian Star Newspaper)

Bingo who is a veteran caylpsonian and also leader of the Ambassadors Calypso tent has been the center of attention. When AFTER the season it was bought to everyone's attention that one of the songs he competed with in for Carnival 2009 was the same composition that he competed with in 2002!

I bet you saying how is that even possible? Aren't there rules against such a thing? And why only now it is being caught?

Now, Toni from the Star Newspaper did some research on this which has shed light on many flaws of our associations who handle those competitions and as he enlightens us :

There are several ways to qualify “wrong” and several meanings of the word too among them; “incorrect,” “not in conformity with fact or truth,” “contrary to law, rules and regulations” and “faulty.” Those are quite clear. It is when we begin to describe “wrong” as “not in accord with established usage or procedure” or “contrary to conscience or morality” that shades of grey begin to develop

Continue...

Sad to say, Toni bought up a good argument in the above article and I am also happy it has happened. This will now allow our associations from CDF, START and SLAC to form more regulations to foster more growth and development to the music art form which we have all grown to love!

What do you think ? Is Bingo wrong?

Well I am sure this issue will unfold further in the coming weeks!

Til then

Peace and Soca

P.S. I am soon to join our very own Knyx Cordner in Trinidad , it is a temporary move so will continuing bringing Lucian news but also gonna get my feet wet with Trini news, Stay tuned!

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Free Download: Various Island Soca 2009 by DJ Bass

DJ BASS

Afternoon Nurse Karen Posse!!!

Tuesdays are perfect for new music. Luckily today, I'm giving you something extra special with the kind compliments of Toronto's own DJ Bass. If you live in THIS oddly humid city, then you probably know Bass as a co-host of CIUT 89.5 FM's Island Breeze Program, Friday evenings from 6 to 8 PM.

He took it over from 15-year host Jaro sometime last year...and I've got to say, he's doing a fine job of "lifting up everything and anything its path".

Several years ago...Island Breeze became a favourite weekly tradition of mine, as I would drive into the city from the West End to host my weekly open-mic event, La Parole. I would always get the latest soca...and since I usually tuned in a little bit late I was treated to the "Bass Mix" or something so. That was my DJ friend's exclusive uninterrupted weekly mashup of the best of the best.

He's always had an ear for the obscure, and never been afraid to run tunes that other DJ's may not be playing...or rather... some tunes other DJ's have never even bothered to listen to . Well, that's their problem. DJ Bass is an equal opportunity music man, sampling sounds from multiple Caribbean Islands and giving fans a chance to appreciate the music in its many facets and expressions.

So with Grenada crossing the stage for Carnival Tuesday this Morning, the Caribbean-based Summer carnivals have nearly run their full gamut. Wouldn't you say it's time for a recap of some of 2009's hidden gems?

I present to you "Island Breeze, Various Island Soca 2009 by DJ Bass"

VARIOUS ISLAND SOCA 2009 - AKA OECS PLUS OTHERS

89.5 FM's Island Breeze

Download it HERE

VARIOUS ISLAND SOCA 2009 - AKA OECS PLUS OTHERS

MIXED BY DJ BASS

1. Bomani (SVG) - Do Something (Good Times )
2. Fullclip (SVG) - Wine Girl Wine
3. Tian Winter (ANU) - Baby I
4. Frank White (BIM) - Wine Fuh Me Gal
5. Alison Hinds (BIM)- Gimme De Juk Juk
6. Rupee (BIM) - Standing Up
7. Patrice Roberts (T&T)- Waist Line Roll
8. Peter Ram (BIM) - Real Tight F.Che'Nelle (JA)
9. Lil' Rick (BIM) - One Juk For The Carnival
10. Zan (T&T) - Back Bone
11. Farmer Nappy (T&T) - Go Brave
12. Biggie Irie(BIM) - One More day
13. Farmer Nappy (T&T) & General Grant (T&T)- Looking to Wine
14. Patrice Roberts (T&T) - Wuk It
15. Machel Montano - Slow Wine
16. Krosfyah Ft. Edwin Yearwood - Carnival on my Mind
17. Tian Winter - Gimme a Taste
18. Shurwayne Winchester (T&T) - Murdah
19. Benjai (T&T) - Fun Fun Fun
20. Uncle Sam (USA)- Serves a Purpose
21. Danielle Veira (SVG) - I Wan me Soca
22. Biggie Irie (BIM) - Slow Wine
23. Shyann Bailey (T&T / CAN) - Pure Sweetness
24. Machel Montano (T&T) - Ramajay
25. Statement (BIM) - All Night
26. T.C. (BIM) - Hot Sun & Riddim
27. Gorg (BIM)- Keeps Drinks Coming
28. Mr Dale(BIM) - Come out
29. Luta (SVG) - Shake
30. Fox (BIM) - Staggerah
31. Ziggy Ranking (T&T) - Staggerah
32. Wayne Marshall (JA) - Lumbah
33. Pupa Leendi(GRE) - Same Strength
34. Maddzart (SVG) - Is me Friend
35. Maddzart (SVG) - Let Go Yo Waistline
36. Jamesy P (SVG) - Horna Man
37. Statement (BIM) - Its Carnival
38. Lavaman (GRE) - Dey Do You
39. Skarpyon (SVG) - Want Back Dem Days
40. Pupa Leendi (GRE) - Ft. Lyrikal (T&T) - Get on Bad
41. Lively(SVG) - Condom
42. Berbice (GRE) - Gasoline
43.Fryktion (SVG) ft. Problem Child (SVG), and Parry Jack (SVG) - Yo Woman Buttin Me
44. Pupa Leendi (GRE) - Ovaz
45. Lil Rick (BIM) - Bajan Wuk Ups
46. Lively (SVG) - Mash Up
47. Krosfyah Ft. Edwin Yearwood (BIM) - Socaholics
48. Problem Child (SVG) - Rude N Freaky
49. Luta (SVG) - Water
50. Lil Rick (BIM) - Riding
51. DJ Tarrus (SVG) - Rum in ah me Head
52. Avalance (USVI) - Get A Drink
53. Jamesy P (SVG) - Patriots
54. Problem Child (SVG) - Anything
55. Chow Mein the Black Bajan Chinese Executive Chef (BIM) - The Chinese Connection
56. Salt (BIM) - See Me
57. Luta (SVG) & Jamesy P (SVG) - Bruk she Waist
58. Lavaman (GRE) Ft. Von - More Horn
59. Lil Rick (BIM) - Wuk Pon Top Ah Wuk
60. Pong (BIM) - Wood
61. Stabby (BIM) - Major Stabby Pain
62. Ricky T (SLU) - Like a Jumbie
63. Skinny Fabulous (SVG) - Leggo D Beast
64. Blood (BIM) - Chaos
65. Mikey (BIM) - Riddum Sekshun
66. Krosfyah Ft. Edwin Yearwood (BIM) - In De Middle ah de Road
67. Problem Child (SVG) - Madhouse

You may not be aware that this mix represents a lot more intra-regional cross pollination than one might expect. Many of these artists are based in the US or other locales, and work with producers who wave different flags. Also, the bulk of the songs marked "T&T" were produced by Bajan producers, and released therefore for Crop Over. Working together is becoming the norm, rather than the exception...and THAT...is a very good thing.

You'll notice the selections heavily favour Bajan and Vincy releases. Clearly there are some toppa top Lucia, Antiguan, and Grenadian tunes that could easily find their home on a mix like this...but dudes...this is just ONE mix. All that means, is I'll have to hit you back with another one just now!

In the meantime show some love to the DJ who JUST hooked you up:

MySpace

Twitter

Enjoy!

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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Booster Shot: Ninja Dan Denied Bail in Murder Case

The saga continues in the unfortunate Valentine's Day Murder case involving St. Lucia soca Artiste, Ninja Dan.

Take a look at this article discussing the most recent developments in the case. While a trial date has not yet been scheduled, a sufficiency hearing is set for September 17, 2009.

Tears as judge denies Ninja bail!
Written By: Alisha Ally on Aug 5th, 2009
St. Lucia Star

The discretion of the court in granting bail in murder cases must be entered into responsibly. This is a very serious crime and it is in the public interest that a person alleged of committing such a crime and whose guilt may be proved should be available to stand trial within a reasonable time in court. Because of a signed affidavit on July 30, said affidavit is identical to the one considered by the court at the original hearing in April, except that it makes reference to certain results of forensic testing and a crowd of persons made present on July 29, 2009,” Justice Kenneth Benjamin told the court.

“The witness is no longer in St Lucia and this takes the bottom out of any contentions as to him being interfered with by the defendants....

READ MORE HERE

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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On De Scene: St. Lucia Carnival 2009 REVIEW

For the past few days , I have been struggling to write a review of the year's most anticipated event. And this struggle was by no means due to overwhelming excitment but rather disappointment. St.Lucia Carnival 2009 took to me " MANY years backward". I am not too sure whether it was the lack of music variety or the lack of organisation by Cultural Development Foundation , whatever it was, it LACKED! Many will agree there was "no vibe", I believe revellers played mas since it is the routine. Do not get me wrong, the parties and some events delievered, as this year I witnessed "A-CLASS" performances by our artists . The torrential showers on Carnival Monday, almost seemed like a cry for better, and boy did it pour!

Tony Nicholas from the Star St.Lucia Newspaper, put together this article which hit every single nail on the head. I am going to use this opportunity to share it with you all.

Maybe there was divine reasoning in the heavy showers which almost washed away the finale of Saint Lucia’s Carnival 2009, on Monday July 20 and Tuesday July 21. Maybe just maybe, it was a lesson taught, that a seed not properly grounded in fertile soil or rooted in anything, can easily be washed away. Then again maybe it was a spiritual cleansing of sorts too. Or could it simply be that those upstairs thought that there was so much uninspiring and uninformed commentary coming from those television commentators that it was best that they be washed away. Carnival 2009
did not have a pleasant scent and was more like a cheap bottle of imitation perfume bought on Canal Street. But truth be told some of the problems are perennial, like the lack of venues and facilities and even the toilet conditions at the Mindoo Phillip Park, which we couldn’t be serious about when we invite persons like Joey and his crew from CBS here. Then, we are still struggling to get it right with sound and starting
shows on time. Sure there were a few good events this year—Groovy Soca,
Inter-commercial house calypso, junior carnival and calypso semi-finals.
Added to that some of the non-CDF events helped put a spark in the carnival
engine like Colour Me Red, Wet Fete, Cooler Fete, NG Soca Stage launch party
and Outrageous-Sexy in Black. But coming down to the wire, Carnival experienced an anti-climax for me... Continue

As a lover of Carnival and Soca , I really do hope our players in the carnival scene from CDF , Sponsors, Band Leaders, Producers, and us all go back to the drawing board and make 2010 a replica of the good old years! It is high time we ALL stop accepting mediocrity for Carnival and I am not pertaining strictly to the parade; I mean everything that embodies Carnival !

"As great as Saint Lucia’s carnival has undoubtedly been over the last few years, it has turned into a selfish beast, with no place to rest its head, seemingly careless and without reasoning as to whom or what it devours. Therefore the beauty is being overshadowed even in the creativity and music, by those who really have no love for it and care less about its history and meaning."

Source : The Star St.Lucia

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Eye Unit: Interview with Curty Louis (Video)

While I was in St. Lucia a couple weekends ago, I had the pleasure of chatting with producer, songwriter, composer Courtney "Curty" Louis. Don't let the soft-spoken renaissance man steez fool you. He's a creative warrior responsible for a long list of popular tracks for St. Lucia Carnival 2009, going back.

Rochelle, Curty and Nurse Karen on Just 4 Fun Boatride (July 11, 2009)

Known to many in his home island as plain old "Curty", Louis has extensive music industry links in Jamaica and Trinidad. He has collaborate music projects with people like Machel Montano, Beenie Man and Mavado....and the list really does go on. Around the Caribbean however, he is constantly building bridges as he attempts to put his personal stamp on the soca genre.

In attitude, style, Curty's vibe is international. In our conversations we discovered a host of mutual industry contacts from Grenada, to Toronto and everywhere in between. I mean, the man's Mama is a Vincy...just like mine...so, that deserves a little big up in itself!

So come with me, let's take a little ride with Courtney Lewis. Let's reason...



Still not sure if you know Curty's music? Check out this list of some of this 2009 St. Lucia Carnival releases. You'll catch on!

pace riddim - Bumpa Dey - Ms. Alysha
De-Fence Riddim - KA-Boom - Superman HD
Relieve Me Pressure - Qpid
Bois - Kakal
Potential Wine - Cookies & Cream featuring Qpid
Genie in a Bottle - Marianne
Up, Up and Away - Superman HD ft. Mista Vybe
Boom Boom Riddim - My Life - Baby Blue and Mavado
Boom Boom Riddim - Boom Boom Boom - Tabia
Boom Boom Riddim - Whole Day (WUK) - Qpid
Boom Boom RIddim - Who Are You - Zionomi ft. Bobby Bling
Boom Boom Riddim - Hot Gal List - Boon Chatta
St. Lucian Gal - Cherry L
Kryptonite - Superman HD

....etc, etc, etc.

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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Booser Shot: Ricky T announces a "break" from SLU Records

St. Lucian soca star Ricky T made a solemn announcement on Radio Caribbean International in an interview around 12:30 this afternoon. The artiste shared his displeasure with the management arrangment with SLU records.

Having just won Power Soca Monarch, Caribbean Soca Monarch and Road March during St. Lucia Carnival 2009, the artiste sounded troubled as he shared his intention. "I'm supposed to feel happy, but I'm not that happy. The way things going between 758 and I, " said Ricky T of his management. "The friendship has been breaking off."

He went on to enlighten listeners about his desire to release more than one song in 2009, a desire that was left unsatisfied by those in control.

"I know there is a God. With that one song, I was able to maintain all my titles," said Ricky T.

Ricky T mentioned that he would like to take a rest, and admits that he does not know whether he will be able to tour in the near future.

"When you feel like the trust is not there anymore, you're not feeling the vibe. I feel I should take a rest," said Ricky T.

The artist discussed the atmosphere behind the scenes at Power Soca Monarch. He said that when he won the title, his team was not present to celebrate with him, but his girlfriend and his father.

"Representing St. Lucia is one of the greatest thing I ever did," Ricky T added as he discussed worry over letting down fans and family members who depend on him.

The interview was replayed around 1:00 pm, following the reading of my 2007 print feature on Ricky T for WE Magazine. Read it here:

http://wemagonline.blogspot.com/2007/10/we-spotlight-ricky-t.html

This is all ongoing. To tune in, visit www.rcistlucia.com to follow this story with me.

By the way, I have already contacted SLU records to get their comment on the situation.

So, you know I'll keep you posted!

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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Booster Shot: Four Slaughter Arts Artistes Survive Car Crash

Nurse Karen and Nigel Nicholas at St. Lucia Power Soca Monarch, 2008

People! Be careful on the roads out there!

A group of four St. Lucian soca artistes got into a single vehicle accident en route to Choissieul for the launch of rural carnival celebrations in the South. The cause of the accident is uncertain, however, the driver Jose Torso and all three passengers sustained non life threatening injuries.

Thankfully everyone is more or less alright, but it still sounds like a pretty bloody scene to me! Don Perry walked away with deep cuts to the face. Poor Kakle broke his arms in two places. Jose Torso has cuts over his body and injured fingers, while Nigel Nicholas sustained minor wounds.

The whole ordeal was upsetting for the artistes. Seems like the guys had to deal with nurses far less friendly than yours truly.

The hospital nurses never cleaned us up. I had to ask if they would. One of the female doctors said, ‘the sink is at the end.’ Then i said, ‘isn’t there like a alcohol pad I can get at least?’ Then she brought me three. I had blood on me. Jose went to the health center today to get his cuts cleaned in Castries.

- Nigel Nicholas, CEO Slaughter Arts Entertainment

The details of the incident are fuzzy, but to answer what I know you're all asking, I'm told that nobody was drinking.

Well speaking of booze anywayzzz, have you heard the Campari Riddim? That just happens to be the big project out of the Slaughter Arts camp that features each of the artistes who are recovering from the accident (plus a few more).

Check it out below:

Campari Riddim

Get well soon guys! Hope to catch you all healthy and strong by the time I reach St. Lucia.

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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Booster Shot: Mavado releases his first soca collaboration

So this past weekend in St.Lucia, Courtney aka "Curty" Louis and co-producer Francis "Leebo" released their much anticipated "Boom Boom" riddim for Carnival 2kwine! 

Nurse Karen in St. Lucia with co-producer, Leebo

Perhaps much of the aniticpation was the result of this: one of dancehall's brightest young stars made his soca debut on it! Jamaica's self-described "Gangsta for Life", lends his voice to the caribbean's happiest genre, soca! I'll be the first to tell you, on the track "My Life", Mavado sounds just like his signature style...bringing a dancehall flavour to a riddim that is otherwise authentic groovy soca.

"After creating the riddim, I wrote lyrics for the song, "My Life,"...with Mavado in mind offcourse. I then sent the riddim and lyrics to Mavado and his team by email, who then sent me the vocals for his part of the song. Right after I contacted Baby Blue and he and I worked on his parts, and the rest is history..",

Three songs premeried on MC Scady's program on Radio Caribbean on Saturday afternoon.


- Whole Day (Wuk) - Qpid (St. Lucia)
- Boom Boom Boom - Tabia (St. Vincent)
- My Life - Baby Blue (St. Lucia) and Mavado (Jamaica)

My Life - Baby Blue & Mavado

Nurse Karen with artiste, Qpid

A few more titles entered St. Lucian circulation on Tuesday of this week:

- Hot Gal List - Boone Chatta (Germany), one half of the internationally acclaimed Soca Twins sound crew.
- Who are You - Zionomi (St. Lucia) ft. Bobby Bling (Jamaica)

In Toronto with Soca Twins (Boone is the cutie on the left)

I always try to give a little shine to the producers. So it's time to big up the puppetmaster behind this peculiar assembly of talent - the one Courtney Louis. He's a St. Lucian who is well known and respected in Trinidad's music community, especially since he helped to slap together the track that would earn Machel Montano a roadmarch win for Jumbie. In 2007, he shared the accolaides for Soca of the Year and Song of the Year. However, it was the Song Writer of the Year Award that really turned heads.

In fact, the Boom Boom riddim was so named after the title track, which was written by Louis and performed by Tabia. Songwriting is definitely his strong suit, having either written or co-written all of the tunes on the riddim.

In St. Vincent with artiste, Tabia

Curty says he's got a lot more surprises this carnival: " The season hasn’t even started yet. We have at least two other riddims working on that will include power and groovy vibes. I have plans to work with a number of Saint Lucian and regional artistes. A few to mention are, Mr Killa ( Grenada ), KMC ( Trinidad ), Beenie Man ( Jamaica ), and Marie Anne ( St. Lucia )."

That's all folks!

Love and soca,

(Nurse) Karen

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