Booster Shot: Fireman wins Ragga Soca Monarch!

Vincentians know Fireman as a high energy uptempo performer, but in 2010 he shows his versatility with a win at Ragga Soca Monarch on early Saturday morning June 26th.

Here are your 2010 Vincy Ragga Soca Monarch winners:

1.  Fireman - Bun Dem
2.  Galanaire Avalaunche - Come Een
3.  Maddzart - Wine Pon Me

Congratulations Fireman!

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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Nurse's Lounge: Junior Calypso and Soca Lime in VIncy (video)

Tuesday, June 30 - Junior Calypso and Soca

I’ve decided that Junior Calypso is my all-time favourite event on the Vincy Mas calendar. Maybe I’m secretly wishing I was still a hot blooded 13 year old. Maybe it’s cause they don’t sell popcorn and sno cones at Soca Monarch. I’m not sure why, but hands down, it’s my favourite midday lime on the calendar.

This time around my hankering for sea water caused me to arrive much later than I had planned. (see here)

I was so late! Missed all the Kaiso. I find the kiddies always bring throught provoking entries about matters that affect youth. It’s better than the newspaper. Good kaiso is the peoples’ voice. By the time we arrived at Victoria Park there were only a few more Junior Soca acts. I even missed my boy Hance, three time Jr Soca champ, who’s now singing with Hottsand!

3-time Junior Soca Monarch Hance, playing mas on Carnival Tuesday

I did, however, have time to see young Deneisha Simmonds who placed for her performance of Soca Body. Then there was soca bad boy Wetty B from Union Island, pushing the envelope straight into disqualification zone with a performance of his Steelpan song(PUM PUM). The Vincy Soca Dans shut down the show, with Luta, Fireman and Jamesy P performing their latest hits.

The future of Vincy Calypso and Soca

Here are a few clips of the late action at SVG Junior Calypso and Soca Monarch:

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Booster Shot: Vincy Mas Official Results, All Categories

At long last, here are all your official Vincy Mas Results. I am going to apologize on behalf of the CDC for the spelling errors....especially when it comes to the names of artistes and even the name of their own events. I had a wonderful time at Vincy Mas 2009. However, I would hope that the organizers would take some time to fine tune several of the shortcomings in order to ensure that thorough and accurate media coverage is possible. The cultural entrepreneurs of Carnival deserve no less than that!

Love and Carnival,

Nurse Karen

To scroll, click on the viewing rectangle and move your mouse up and down. PC users, right click for additional options.

Booster Shot: St. Vincent and the Grenadines Calypso Monarch Results

Calypso Fans!!!!

Here are the Calypso Results from Dimanche Gras 2009. Sorry to say, I didn't attend the show. I was in bed recovering from a wild time at a beach party called Slippery When Wet! More on that another time.

For the moment, I'm grabbing lunch with Rochelle at the Rodney Bay Marina in St. Lucia, and we were both remarking about how few updates there have been in the last couple days. SORRY!!!!!

So here goes....

1st place - Joy C
2nd place - Zion I
3rd Place - Rejector

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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Eye Unit: Skinny Fabulous 2009 Vincy Soca Monarch Performance

If you weren't in Victoria Park in Kingstown, St. Vincent on Saturday, July 4th...you missed one amazing show. When I say that, I'm talking about one performance in particular. The evening was sprinkled with highlights from beginning to end, but there was one performance that was nothing short of magic, that left the crowd screaming for what seemed to be ages after the fabulous one left the stage.

Skinny Fabulous made the unpopular decision to perform in the number 8 position rather than performing last, as defending champs always do. The naysayers were silenced (including ME) when we witnessed the well planned and excuted performance that led him to victory for the second year in a row.

Here's Skinny 'Soca King' Fabulous performing "De Beast Letgo" at the 2009 St. Vincent Soca Monarch competition. And yes peeps, he won!

Let me know what you think!

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Eye Unit: Fireman Hooper 2009 Vincy Soca Monarch Performance

Ooooh this is fun! Here's a video of Fireman's performance from Soca Monarch. Say what allyuh want. Fireman is still the people's champ in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. From his wild antics to the celebration of local vernacular in his music. Take a look at his performance of Rags Invasion from Saturday's Soca Monarch Finals here in Kingstown. No other artist had this kind of response. Compared to his performances in the past, this stage presentation was stripped down and simple. There were dancers, rags, some pyrotechnics...and an electric guitar. i dunno...it was hilarious...to me anyway. As I stood in front of the stage, i felt the elation in the crowd and knew the top places would definitely go to Skinny Fabulous and Fireman. Fireman finished in second place.

Now you can see for yourself. Also, check out Nurse Karen Etc's own Kahlil Cato aka Gruvemaster, introducing Fireman on stage!

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Eye Unit: Problem Child's 2009 Vincy Soca Monarch Performance

I really ought be resting up to meet Mirage Mas band in the morning, but I've been havine internet issues the whole time I've been in SVG...so now that everything is working well. I have some footage I think you'll like to see!

I've been receiving a lot of messages in regards to the soca monarch competition that took place here in St. Vincent on Saturday. So, I dug up some footage to help you ascertain whether or not the judges were paying attention!

With no further ado, here is 3rd place finisher Problem Child with "Maddhouse"

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Eye Unit: Wetty B performance at Jr. Soca Monarch....

booooooooooooooyyyy children these days. Here's a clip of Union Island's Wetty B, performing his song "Steelpan" at the Junior Soca Monarch competition, here in St. Vincent on Tuesday. Let me know if it makes you laugh as much as I did.

Wetty B has some serious wining skills for a secondary school student. But more than that, he's pretty damn bold to enter the JUNIOR competition with a tune whose only back up lyrics is the word "Pum Pum" repeating over and over.

Watch de ting nah! This chile is no older than 16 years old. Eventually, they cut the music on him. LOL...he was a little to hot for a stadium full of children!

Well, you know the man didn't place. But you better believe, he would be coming back with the antics next year! This video is toooooooooooo funny.

Ha ha...if you enjoyed THAT. There are lots more clips from SVG Jr. Soca Monarch on YouTube. Large up me girl Slimmy for recording the bacchanal!

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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Booster Shot: 2009 St. Vincent and the Grenadines Soca Monarch Finalists

The biggest night in Vincy soca takes place this Saturday, July 4th at Victoria Park. Skinny Fabulous will defend his 2008 Soca Monarch title against 19 hopefuls.

Here's the list!!! May the best monarch win!

Although the artistes know what number each of them will be appearing. That hasn't been released to the media. I'll add numbers as I get the info.

Shaunelle McKenzie - Players Anthem
R3cka (Recardo Wilson) - Gimme Room
Demus (Montgomery La Borde - Rum Junkie (16)
Fire Empress (Lornete Nedd) - De Session Done (6)
Fireman Hooper (Delroy Hooper) - Rags Invasion (15)
Problem Child (Shertz James) - Mad House (19)
The Man Stone (Rufus Sergeant) - Tie My Dog
D-Tector (Delano Joseph) - Cause Ah Broke
Tamisha Nicholls - Soca In Me
Skarpyon (Shernelle Williams) - Earthquake
Sharlene Samuel - We Jamming
Icon (Garett John) - Get On
Alla-G (Alhaji James) - Ten Tazan
Top Notch Swift (Kellon Belgraves) - Nobody Can Talk To Me
Splendid (Delroy Bentick) - Got to be Carnival
Maddzart (Reon Primus) - Madd Rum
DJ 20 (Gregory Small) - No Work
Dalpin (Felix Findlay) - Don't Hold Me Back
Full Clip (Derron Dennie) - Wild Indians

Skinny Fabulous and Nurse Karen at Obsession (Monday)

Skinny Fabulous - De Beast Letgo (8)

*** here's something weird*** for the first time ever, the defending champion will not be performing in the last spot. I was told that Skinny Fabulous refused to perform last, and will be appearing 8th in the show. Why? Who knows?

Artistes will be backed by Hottsand Band.

Just a note - This year CDC did not hold a semi-final competition for Soca Monarch. I believe that was a big mistake. Among these listed, there are may songs that have been rejected for air play, and are therefore unpopular with the crowds. We all know, the opportunity for such tracks to place in competition is slim to none....so it's safe to say, some of those songs are taking the place of other songs that ought to be there. Where is Danielle Veira, or Lively, or D'Lanlord? That's my 2 cents, what do you think?

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

Nurse Karen and R3cka at Insomnia

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Nurse's Lounge: Paging Knycky Cordner!

Nurse Karen at Question Mark Entertainment

Ha ha ha... if your'e reading this...please help me find Nurse Karen Etc's own beloved correspondent Knycky Cordner. She's not lost in the traditional sense. It's just that I can't find her. I arrived in Trinidad this morning from a sleepless red-eye flight on Caribbean Airlines.

I'm in transit to Vincy Mas...but thought I'd take a day in T&T to link a few precious soca contacts in our music's mecca before my life is completely overcome once again by the carnival jumbie. On the very top of my list was linking with sister-girl-singer-hostess-blogger-chicky of the hour...Knycky Cordner. Some of you would never believe this...but in spite of the fact lady-girl writes for the blog, the two of us have NEVER actually met in person! Crazy right? Thought that woulda been a simple enough itch to scratch. So far no dice.

Knycky, where yuh? I been looking everywhere. I checked by some of my relatives hear Trincity Mall. I searched over by UWI in St. Augustine. I went up and down the Avenue in Woodbrook.

I stopped in at Synergy TV. This must be the 4th time, I've gone in to meet with Peter C...only to find out plans changed without my knowing. This time I was lucky tho. I met a producer who's looking to chat with me about contributing to their programming. You know I'll keep you POSTED!

Where was I? Knycky...yeah. Whey she dey? I went round the savannah in the rain. I found myself at Question Mark Entertainment (the folks that manage peeps like Kes the Band and Maximus Dan). Who should I see cooling out in front?...a handful of the band members from Asylum.

Nurse Karen Etc followers should know that my travel lines up with Asylum's gigs more often than probably any other band. So, had to pop in. They are rehearsing Saucy Wow's music for a gig at DC's Star Nightclub on Saturday night. ( I won't be there. Check me a Vincy Insomnia) The pop-in turned into a meeting with Simon Baptiste ( The CEO!!!!) Guess who has a nice new shrink wrapped copy of the Kes the Band "On in 5" CD now?!

Yeah...finding all kinda ting today. Still no Knycky.

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

P.S. still in the bandroom...pics coming just now.

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Booster Shot: Vincy Mas, unofficial fete and lime schedule

Vincy on my mind! You have no idea how excited I am to be heading back to SVG next Friday. Big plans to see family, friends and CARNIVAL! So as I plan out where to go and what to do, I thought it best to share the info. Believe me, I know what it's like to try and plan a trip overseas without the inside scoop on the hottest events. It sucks! You reach, and find out about everything one day late. So here's the plan.(Keep pace) I will be posting events that are happening when the bulk of the tourists will be dotting the island, July 26th to July 7th. This list will include official and unofficial events. I'll add info as I get it. Deal?

So, if you're reading this because you're planning your trip. Enjoy! Be safe and have a great time. If you're a Vincentian, and you're sitting at a desk covered in party flyers...spread the wealth. Leave your "2-Cents" below and lemme know wey goin' on!


Selected and limes are listed by date below. Please note this list does not include cultural events and street parades.

Date: Friday 26 June
Event Name: Ragga Soca Monarch
Entertainment: Various competing soca artists
Venue: Victoria Park
Time:
Price:



Date: Saturday 27 June
Event Name: Insomnia V
Artistes: Blaxx, Mr. Vegas, Skinny Fabulous, DJ 20, Problem Child, Bomani, Maddzart, Lively, Icon, Full Clip, Fire Empress, Shaunelle, Demus, R3CKA
Bands:Roy Cape All-Stars, Alliance, Madd Symphony, HS Phaktor
Venue: Arnos Vale Sporting Complex
Time: Midnight - Day Break
Price: EC $40 / US $15.25(in advance)


Date: Sunday 28 June
Event Name: C.P.R. Sundaze
DJs: DJ Enuff and guest DJs
Venue: White Sands Beach, Ratho Mill
Time: 12p.m. - 6p.m.
Price: Free, local and premium drinks for sale

Date: Sunday 28 June
Event Name: Carnival Catwalk 4 `The Euphoria`
Entertainment: Mijé Models sporting designs by Vincy, Lucian, Bajan, and American designers, Fireman Hooper, Troots & Ice
Venue: Cruise Ship Terminal, Kingstown
Time: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Price: $30

Date: Monday 29 June
Event Name: Obsession
Artists: Fire Empress, Zoelah
Venue: Victoria Park
Time:
Price:

Date: Tuesday 30 June
Event Name: G-Spott
Artists: Danielle Veira, Fire Empress, First Lady, Shanelle Nanton, Shaunelle McKenzie, Tabia, Tamisha Nicholls, Zoelah
Venue:OT Car Park
Time:
Price: (all prices in EC) Single $25, Couple $45, Three Girls $45 in advance

Date: Wednesday 1 July
Event Name: Glow (Island Style and CDC)
Artists:
Venue: Victoria Park
Time:
Price:

Date: Thursday 2 July
Event Name: Fire Fete (Island Koncepts and K45)
Artists: Bunji Garlin, Fay Ann Lyons, Jamesy P, Maddzart, Skinny Fabulous, Problem Child, Fireman Hooper
Bands: Asylum, Madd Symphony, Hott Sand, Luta, Icon
Venue: Victoria Park
Time: 7:30p.m. - 3:00p.m. Friday (that's what they say! i dunno about that)
Price: General - EC $45 (in advance), VIP - EC $120, includes Caribbean buffet meal, premium drinks and rum punch(tix available at Gonsalves liquor)

Date: Friday 3 July
Event Name: Bank Yard Fete (First Caribbean International Social Club)
DJs: Outta Road Jugglers
Venue: First Caribbean Bank Yard
Time: 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Price:

Date: Saturday 4 July
Event Name: Soca Monarch
Artists: Various Artists and defending champ, Skinny Fabulous
Venue: Victoria Park
Time:
Price:

Date: Sunday 5 July
Event Name: Splash (All Inclusive Beach Lime)
Music: 2Kool Chris, Live Steel Band
Venue: Paradise Beach Hotel, Villa (by the Fantasea Tours Gazebo)
Time: 12p.m. to 6p.m.
Price: EC $100 / US $40 (includes food by AGGIES Restaurant, Gonsalves Liquors and Hairoun Beer)

Date: Sunday 5 July
Event Name: Carib & LIME (Foam and Pool Soca Party)
Music: 2Kool Chris, Ice Kold, DJ Enuff, Guest DJs
Venue: Emerald Valley Casino (Vermont)
Time: 2p.m. to 10p.m.
Price: $50● Mixed Drinks, Beer and finger food inclusive band
● Premium Alcohol, Jamaican-style Jerk Chicken & Jerk Fish On Sale

Date: Monday 6 July
Event Name: Pure (RJR J'ouvert)
Artists: TBA

DJs: Platinum Sounds, 2Kool Chris
Venue: Ministry of Transport Car Park
Time: 1 a.m. till they done.
Price: EC $40, includes body paint, masks, Carib beer, White Oak, Pepsi, Mountain Top

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Booster Shot: P'tani Mas and the Vincy Rural Carnival Schedule

Outside of St. Vincent. people are often surprised to learn that Vincy Mas consists of numerous carnival celebrations taking place in every part of the island. By the time July 1st rolls around, the locals have already jumped j'ouvert, attended queen shows, fetes, soca monarch shows and street jump ups over and over since the beginning of May. After the main action in town wraps up on Carnival Tuesday (this year, July 7). The action continues at eight different rural carnivals until the beginning of August.

Below is the Carnival Development Commitee's schedule of official rural carnival events. But this list is by no means exhaustive. Not only are there private events being promoted to compliment the official stuff, there are whole unofficial carnivals in South Rivers, Byrea and North Leeward too!

I figure this is a pretty good time for me to post the rural schedule, since right now is the biggest and best one of them all --> P'tani Mas! (LOL, I'm not biased or anything)

A roadside view of the Marriaqua Valley

The Mesopotamia or Marriaqua Valley is the beauuuuuuutiful party of St. Vincent and the Grenadines that your nurse reps with pride. It's lush greenery and rich volcanic soil make it the ideal locale for local food production in Vincyland. It's a rain forest climate, making the region home to the tastiest fruits, most beautiful birds, and herbs and bushes to cure everything! If you reach Vincy, you MUST go and see Mespo. It's breathtaking.

Mespo also is known for having its own unique party vibe. If you remember Skinny Fabulous's Soca Monarch tune Head Bad (On De Spot), there's a line where he says, "...when it's time to get on, Chappie's Riverside..." Yeah man, dat is the spot. When you up dey, make sure and buy a Hairoun from my Uncle Chappie.

Me and Chappie inside Chappies Riverside, St. Vincent

Last week was the Warm Up Wet Fete, Motorcade and Night Mas. This weekend is the Marriaqua Queen Show. Next weekend the valley goes full force for a pre-j'ouvert fete, Kiddies Carnival, J'ouvert and a wild Street Party.



Ok...before I get carried away...here's the schedule I promised you!

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On De Scene: HITZ 103.7 Soca Swing and the big Vincy fetes THIS weekend

So on Sunday May 31, HITZ 103.7 held our annual Soca Swing Show, which could be summed up in one word. MAD, CRAZY, SWEET, BASHMENT.... Ok, daz more than one, but any one will do. The only difference between that and Soca Monarch, was that the stands weren't full. But then again... who comes to Soca Swing to sit?

I knew it was going to be wild (oh, that another word to add to the list above) cuz from about 8:30 when the dj's were just getting things warm, there were about 2 or 3 crews already following the orders of Skinny Fabulous, and were Misbehaving. (aye, allyuh hear that tune yet? MURRDOOOO!) And none more so than the Bushwackers. With the flag man leading the charge, they followed him everywhere he went, like the children in the Pied Piper of Hamlin. Running around the ground, up and through the stands...jumping from one stand to the other. At one point I didn't see them at all, so I figured he went to bathroom...and they followed.

The performers didn't dissapoint either. Although some ppl felt Skinny's set was rushed. And it was, due to time constraints. The Police on a whole different vibe this year, I don't know what bug crawled up... uuhhh.. anyway... another time and place for that.

Then last night, I tek me brightness and gone Peto (Petit Bordel, if you not Vincy.. or if you forget) for Soca Fest. LAWD. OYE. WHOOEEEE. Some body say round de clock!!! Ah hope yuh hear, when I left there after 4 this morning, it was to go straight to work on air for 6. But ah done sleep, daz why I could write this now.

Well tonight is to the Park for me, cuz I have to emcee the Caribbean Soca Explosion, which features from SVG, Hottsand, Kyron Baptiste, Bomani, Icon, and from the region: Daddy Chess of Dominica, Shaki from St. Kitts, Mantius from St. Lucia, Lava Man from Grenada, Lima Calbio for TNT and the Fire Empress of Tobago.

Tonight is also HOT 97's H2O Wet Fete. Now due to the fact that I have to work at the other show, I won't be at that. So I'll just have to tell allyuh what I hear bout it.

So till next time pplz, Keep on gruvin'!

Mis Behaving (2009 St. Vincent) http://www.myspace.com/skinnyfabulous - Skinny Fabolous

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Free Download: Great Zeee's Soft Tune Riddim

Alright music fiends, I can see you salivating from here. Nasty! The Great Zee is back in 2009 with some seeeeeeeeeerious music. The Vincy posse would know him as the producer behind Hysyanz Productions, and the artist who gave you singles like "Fill You With My Love" and "The Ring".   For the rest of ya, you'd know him best from that really left-field riddim from 2008 'Juk Up Juk Up, with tunes from Slaughter, Problem, Mr. Evil, Bud Ramsey, Skinny, etc.

The Great Zeee is what you would call a renaissance man. (BTW, He will be releasing his power soca "Renaissance Riddim" later this season) He produces, sings, models, draws, and he's a pretty dope photographer too! He studied Graphical Design in London several years ago, and spends much of his time designing websites and flyers. Oh yeah, did I mention he's part of a team called "Prep Camp" that throws some jiggy club events in Brooklyn, NY? Can you say HUSTLER? Right....

No doubt, Zowi "The Great Zeee" Stapleton knows a thing or two about being creative. So today, it's all about the "Soft Chune Riddim". In Vincentian parlance (maybe other places too) a 'soft tune' refers to what others might call a 'slow jam' or 'baby-making music'. I think you get my drift. So, this one is groovy/ragga tempo. You have some more explicit tracks from

 Problem Child and Skinny Fabulous, with the real lovely dovey tings coming from Jamaican newcomer Tara and the Great Zeee himself. There is also a final track, still to come, from Trinidad's Mista Vybe.

I'm into this.  Loving the humor in Skinny's track, Problem's 'Bang Bang' hook is infectious, Tara's vocals, clean and nice, and The Great Zeee, definitely full of surprises.  

Download it for yourself!

AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD FROM THESE LINKS

Song: WHEN I SEE YOU (BANG)
Written By: Shertz James (Problem Child)
Produced By: Z Stapleton (Great Zeee)
HYSYANZ Publishing Co. BMI
Copyright 2009
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered BY: Z Stapleton (Great Zeee)
PROBLEM CHILD  - WHEN I SEE YOU (BANG)

http://www.zshare.net/audio/59698282dfc72388/

Song: LIKE JELO
Written By: G Doyle (Skinny Fabulous)
Produced By: Z Stapleton (Great Zeee)
HYSYANZ Publishing Co. BMI
Copyright 2009 COTT
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered BY: Z Stapleton (Great Zeee)
SKINNY FABULOUS - LIKE JELO
http://www.zshare.net/audio/59698380f66e55f8/

Song: ONE NIGHT
Written By: Z Stapleton (Great Zeee)
Recorded and Mixed by: Z Stapleton (Great Zeee)
Produced By: Z Stapleton (Great Zeee)
HYSYANZ Publishing Co. BMI
Copyright 2009
Recorded Fryktion
Recorded Mixed and Mastered BY: Z Stapleton (Great Zeee)
 THE GREAT ZEEE - ONE NIGHT
http://www.zshare.net/audio/5969851582975ab8/

Song: TARA
Written By: TARA
Produced By: Z Stapleton (Great Zeee)
HYSYANZ Publishing Co. BMI
Copyright 2009 
Recorded by Fryktion
Mixed and Mastered BY: Z Stapleton (Great Zeee)
TARA - THE WAY YOU
http://www.zshare.net/audio/596984461193b35b/

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Artist's View: Vyrus on the Vincy Mas Launch

Nurse Karen and Vyrus a SVG Insomnia 2008

St. Vincent carnival officially started on Saturday.  I hear it was a wild time.  Got a message from Vyrus to confirm the rumours.  If you don't know Vyrus, he's an up and coming artist in SVG.  He's part of the Non-Fiction family and performs in the Alliance Band with Skinny Fabulous and Danielle Veira.  Last time I saw him was at Soca Monarch in Trinidad back in February.  He was at the show singing back up for his band mate.  Here's what he had to say about Saturday's Carnival opening...

carnival lunch yesterday may the 2nd.  it was mad girl.  went on the nbc radio truck coming from barrouallie into town.  karen dem bagga people jump from bagga into town. LIME, fomally cable and wireless sponsor the thing. boy...had some real sweet gal on the truck in dem lime t-shirt, but me nah butt yo, no worries!  we reach town like arround after 7, but the truck had to pull off the road until mins to nine because of the activities in the car park.  in town the road was mad, but i had more vibes with the jump from bagga. me and demus did ah thing in the car park it went down good. i did a piece of my new track wine dem down he did something on the same riddim call rum drunkie, mad thing. yo boy icon win the new song soca according to the judges,  but to me zoelah was the best on the nite with her new ragga. the song sweet gal. i think it name "more water". cant remember who win the calypso, but i saw some good performances from taju and candyman. yo star, the highlight of the nite was the extempo competition.  the two last men standing was blakey and alla g. they mash up the place with the free style. people was into it, hands in the air, screaming, was mad!  but blakey had the vibe boy.  yo know he bad pan dem thing. he mash up the place more. so yo done know the crowd ah judge, so he won fair. in all, the launch was ok for me. nice crowd, nice vibe. boom the thing start!

Vyrus! That was great. Thanks for hooking us up with your review! Happy to hear that Blakey is back for another carnival. I hope he goes for Calypso Monarch this year. I would be up in Park early to get my seat for that!

There you have it soca massive, one view from the ground!
Keep them coming!


Love and Soca,

(Nurse) Karen

Remember, if you've been to a hot soca event, and you'd like to tell us about it, click HERE to find out how!  

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The Rounds: BBC Radio 1 cancels its soca show

In this edition:

• St. Vincent Carnival Launch
• Ist Cavalcade of Cropover
• Royalties Xtreme Band Launch
• Alison Hinds at IRAWMA's
• BBC 1xtra cancels its Soca program

Good Evening Soca Lovers,

I'm Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s rounds. What a weekend! Saturday was an action packed day all over socaverse.  There were Carnival road parades in St. Thoman, St. Marten and GRAND CAYMAN. Dr. Jay actually DJ’d on the road down there for Swanky international, and I understand the band went on to capture the band of the year title.

Over in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Vincy Mas 2009 has officially begun. Festivities took places across the mainland with music trucks parading into town from all parts of the island. Last year’s road march king, Icon...defeated Zoelah in the new song competition. He’s already got fans in the palms of his hands with popular releases like Teaser and Congaline.

Zoelah had won that title in both 2007 and 2008. But no worries Zoelah fans, her new tune More Water, promises to get its share of DJ spins as her follow up to Wine Up On Me.  

Nurse Karen last month in Toronto with Zoelah

The Crop Over festivities unofficially began in Barbados yesterday with the very first cavalcade. Tone Def Studio is out the gates early as usual with an album called Chaos produced by Andy “Blood” Armstrong, former frontline vocalist with Square One.  

Blood in his studio in BIM

Mas bands are launching all over the Caribbean, and here in Toronto two. One of our biggest bands, Carnival Nationz unleashed it’s 2009 presentation called “In Full Bloom - Fruits and Flowers” last night. In St. Lucia on Friday night, a popular radio personality, magazine editor and DJ, MC Scady impressed the local media when he added one more title to his resume as the P.R.O. of the new carnival band Royalties Xtreme.

Rochelle in St. Lucia last Friday with Scady

 The Lucian posse out there would remember Royalties as very a popular force on the road from the 1980’s through 2002. Then they disappeared. In ’08 the Lucians in England brought a band called Xtreme to Nottinghill Carnival. So the two groups have joined forces to bring de ting back home. The gorgeous presentation is called Africa is Our home.

Something else that started in England, made the rounds this week. UK born Soca star Alison Hinds has a date with the International Reggae and World Music Awards in Queens, New York this evening. She will be the only soca act performing at the show.  

At lastly, BBC 1xtra, one of two commercial stations in the UK that plays any soca at all, has made the decision to cancel their International Sounds of Soca program. In the past, the program was hosted by Slick and Machel Montano. Our boy, Kerwin Du Bois used to DJ on there sometimes when he was still living in England. Then bajan beauty Alex Jordan was the first female to host the program, and became the first DJ to ever resign from the station last Autumn. Since then, DT temporarily took the helm. 

Nurse Karen at a 1Xtra live broadcast with Alex Jordan in London, England

Well, it is possible that some kinda soca show will be back on air in the Summer but for now, CRICKETS!

I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. If you love soca, and wouldn’t let anyone take your favourite music off your FAVOURITE radio station, visit me online at Nurse dash Karen dot com. Now, back to de Docta!

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Booster Shot: It's Carnival AGAIN! VIncy Mas 2009 Launches today!

Later today St. Vincent and the Grenadines will officially enter Carnival season as Vincy Mas 2009 kicks off!

It's an all day affair.  The action starts at 10 am in Heritage Square with the Vincy Cook-Off, Cultural performances and a Mini Fair. 

Then at 5 pm, party time starts. The opening festivities continue at the Chamber of Commerce Car Park in Kingstown for a measly 5 bucks. 

The New Song Competition is back.  Here are the finalists that will vie for the title of Best New Song:

Calypso :  Candyman, Ron B, Brother Ebony, Mr. Jinny, Tajoe against defending champ, Sulle

Soca : Maddzart, Lady D, Icon, Alla G, Mr. Jinny against defending champ Zoelah

As always, there will be featured performances later in the evening.  The official list hasn't been made public.  But, I have it on good authority that the LIME Soca Dans will be one of the main acts.  (The collective includes Jamesy P, Luta, Fireman Hooper, DJ Tarrus and Tabia)

To all who are in SVG for the launch, please tell us how it goes, and who all performed.  

Happy Carnival!

Love and Soca, 

(Nurse) Karen

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EYE UNIT: Drinks Reach - New from Problem Child and Skinny Fabulous

I should be at church.  So, I'm already feeling a little guilty for posting this particular video montage of the latest uptempo video collaboration from SVG's Problem Child and Skinny Fabulous.  The tune is called "Drinks Reach.  From the looks of it, dem boys not stalling at all for Vincy Mas 2009.

Check out this mish mash of pics an clips posted to YouTube yesterday. There's a lot of great footage from right here in Toronto, including a few clips that were once removed from YouTube for the very same boyswillbeboys behaviour. See if you can spot a little cameo appearance of me!

Enjoy!

OK....gone to pray now.

Love and Soca,

(Nurse) Karen

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Soca Now: Tabia endorses the campaign to get soca on MySpace!

I've got to big up a young Vincy soca artiste with a big heart.  Tabia just added her voice and face to the list of people actively supporting the SOCA NOW MOVEMENT! For those of you who thought this was over...think again! We need YOU to keep writing emails to myspace to demand a category for soca.

If you don't know Tabia, she's a young artiste who is actively preparing to make a splash for Vincy Mas 2K9. One of the LIME Soca Dans, Tabia performs and works alongside some of St. Vincent's top artistes including, Fireman Hooper, Jamesy P, Luta and DJ Twenty.

Here's a shot of Tabia and me grabbing a bite at X-cape in St. Vincent 2008

She's just returned from NYC where she completed a series of studio sessions with top producers; The Great Zeee (Juk Up Riddim 2008), and Parry Jack (Zoelah's "Wine Up On Me" 2008)

I've heard an early demo of one of her Ragga Socas (Groovy), and I'm already sold.

Please, show your support for Tabia and the SOCA NOW Movement by listening to her special

 message and getting involved!




Where to connect with SOCA NOW

MySpace Group
MySpace Page
Twitter
Facebook Group

(Please repost and "retweet" Stay connected and do your part!

http://myspace.com/socanow1

... add it now!



Love and Soca,

(Nurse) Karen

P.S. Soca Artists...we can use every one of you to champion this cause! Connect with soca now on myspace and send in your own message to the fans. THANX!

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Booster Shot: Nurse Karen mentioned in new Maddzart song

Hey...


Like I could be celebrating Thanksgiving too! I just received word that former St. Vincent and the Grenadines Soca Monarch Maddzart just completed a tune for 2009 that mentions yours truly in one of the lines!

Nurse Karen and Maddzart in St. Vincent, 2007

You guys won't get to hear it until May or so, when the music is flowing like water for Vincy Mas 2K9. But no matter, I'll tell you what I know.

The production is reminiscent of early 1980's classic soca, featuring heavy bass, brass sounds and pan. The chune is called "Is Me Fren," and it was produced by Maddzart himself. When you hear it, just remember it's only a song! I have NEVER been in the entertainer's car.  So, I don't want any girlfriends out there hunting down Karen in Toronto! Please believe me when I tell you I am innocent!!

Maddzart is still a pretty young guy, but in St. Vincent he's got some serious musical accolades under his belt. In 2001, his voice hit the international airwave on the original version of Kevin Lyttle's Turn Me On. The same year he made some history of his own winning the Ragga Soca Monarch crown with Poor People Song. This conscious offering was eventually remade with with Bunji Garlin. Then he tore up the main carnival stage with a Soca Monarch win for the song Motorcade (Biker's Anthem)

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