Eye Unit: Tizzy, Kamau and Problem Child liming in Florida

When I got back from Miami, I didn't waste time sharing with you about some of the places I went, and people I saw.  There was a post bigging up Barrie Hype for making it possible for artists, management and media to network in a meaningful way. If you didn't see it, read it HERE

Now if you actually want to SEE what I wrote about, now you can. I forgot to post this video the first time around.  Lo and behold, an entire month has passed, and I have lots of video to share!  Enjoy these rare shots of Tizzy, Problem Child and Kamau goofing around over food at Hibiscus Sports Bar in Sunshine Florida.

Enjoy!

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Nurse's Lounge: Hype at Hibiscus Happy Hour

In this here soca world, no matter where you go, you will encounter the egos, the icons...and those who are blissfully unaware that they fit into either category.  There are other groups as well...my favourite being, the GRINDERS.  In South Florida, one of the hardest working soca advocate is a DJ by the name of Barrie Hype.  No doubt you've heard me mention the name before.  Apart from doing the radio DJ thing, and the TV host thing for Carib Link TV, Barrie looooooooooves the artists.  My man is requested time and again to run tracks for performances.  Several up and coming artistes, particularly from islands outside of Trinidad prefer to have him act on their behalf as manager whenever they are in town.  And...well...you know...I know...what goes on behind the scenes too....Barrie occasionally takes a lil cut as a booking agent (y'all didn't hear that one from me).

Barrie Hype making us jump like Carnival Tuesday

The business IS beyond all else, a hustle.  You have to know what you have to offer, and be pretty darn good at articulating that, or you get left behind.  It is what it is, and even though the one they call HYPE and me may disagree sometimes over how much is too much, when it comes to MC'ing over music, far be if from ME to knock ANYONE's hustle.


But none of that is the reason for this post.  Barrie Hype's game steps beyond hustle at every turn.  In my opinion, the Lucian born, Bajan educated DJ is a friend of the music.  You've got to be a friend, when you call up top promoters to offer services FREE of charge for causes you believe in.  You've got to be a friend when you invite artists, media and other hustlers to make use of your spare bedroom so you can personally expose them to the local scene.  Only a friend uses his BBM to assemble, artists, managers, DJs, media and anybody else who matters for in a humble Caribbean Sports Bar for Networking. 


Barrie mixed the tunes Live to Air for the listeners on 102.1 FM Real Deal Radio.  Hibiscus Restaurant took care of food and drinks.  Meanwhile, the room blossomed with activity as producers shopped rhythms to artists, international borderline collided, phone numbers were exchanged, and the soca world as you would have it in Miami, grew smaller...into a community.  

Nurse Karen and Tizzy after our chat

I took it in for myself last Thursday afternoon, so is not just talk ah talkin'.  I co-hosted an hour of the radio show with DJ Smallie.  Then Tizzy and Rohan from El a Kru  breezed through for a live interview.  I chatted with her about her new album "De Road Show", as well as some of her aspirations for the upcoming 2010 season. 


BVI's Mr. Network, Kamau was inna de Building.  He blew our minds with a couple of big R&B projects he's working on as a producer.  We also got to hear some more Caribbean inspired creations he had under his belt.  Don't be suprised if "somebody" who was in Miami for Carnival, ends up on one of those tracks.  St. Vincent's Problem Child showed up at Hibiscus directly from the airport...and caught some jokes, drinks and a good plate of food.

Problem Child just touched down 

It's times like this, that make us love what we do.  It felt good to lime with FRIENDS in the MUSIC. The next day I couldn't make it out again, but the lime grew to include Blaxx, Olatunji, Rita Jones, Bunji and Fay Ann Lyons.  I really wanted to go...but real talk...I had no ride.  


Next year, I'm getting a rental.  Barrie...thanks again for organizing that.  I think we all moved an inch or two in the right direction as a result! 


Love and Soca, 


Nurse Karen

Kamau at Hibiscus (Sunshine, FL on October 8, 2009)

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On De Scene : St.Lucia Offical Opening !(PART TWO)

So went to de media booth to rest my feet and met up with Radio personality Mikey Mike Rogers from The Wave and he was giving me a little insight about their Big Show, Outrageous in Black come Carnival Friday, which will feature the Queen of 2009, Fayann and Bunji Garlin alongside de Alsyum Band. Now I go leave that for another time.

Mikey Mike and I at the Opening of Carnival

The band display went on till night , as each band encouraged potential revelers as well as media to go to their Band booth to register and to get to know more about their packages for 2009.

Now what is carnival without a hype! Spotted Mr. Barrie Hype on his home soil taking in the carnival season , Ah sure hope I see him in a band come Carnival Monday and Tuesday ! We proceeded backstage,artists were preparing to MASH up the place as this was the culmination of the entire show.

Barrie Hype and Myself Backstage Opening of Carnival

Backstage the energy was tense artists alongside producers geared up. I did catch a glimpse of few persons who I know is contributing heavily to this year’s music.

Myself and Alpha Before hitting the Stage

Myself, Smokes and Rankin Backstage (Read More)

Myself and Manitus Backstage

Now what is St.Lucia Carnival without de Mad Camp (Illah Man, Teddyson John , Ricky T), unfournately I wasn’t able to stay for their performance but I know those three guys DELIVER ! And with all three having heavyweight tunes under their belt already, no doubt they may have close off the show with a Bang!

Myself and the Mad Camp (L- R Teddyson, Ricky T, Ilah Man)

Overall the show was dragged and I doe care 15 or 20 bands that segment could have been condensed to allow patrons of de event to savour the juice of de show. I am excited that we have come out strong with 15 bands but ah sure hope those bands reach their target numbers. I wanna extend thank you to Mr. Greggar Deterville from http://www.scruffyimages.com/ who helped and taught me to take the few shots in this post. I would also like to thank Shane Larcher from http://www.slucarnival.com/ for chaperoning me through my first Media Coverage of St.Lucia Carnival Opening.

I anticipate a fruitful season for St.Lucia Carnival and you guys have full access to it all. Til next time

Peace and Soca
Rochelle

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Booster Shot: Ruckshun Caribbean Music Festival Cancelled

OK...lemme tell you something.  I was really wanting to go to Calgary this weekend.  After Miami Carnival, that was the number one destination that artists were whispering in my ear.

"So, we seeing you in Calgary Nurse?"

"Karen, I guess we would meet up in Calgary next!"

" Girl, why you not going Calgary again?"

"Why don't you just come to Calgary?"

Call it peer pressure, but I was actually trying to work a ting to make it out west for the Ruckshun Caribbean Music Festival.

The event was set to be a two-night all Caribbean showcase featuring performances by (Check the lineup):

• Destra and Atlantik
• Junior Kelly
• Edwin Yearwood and Kosfyah
• Jamesy P
• Lil Rick
• Problem Child
• Mr. Dale
• Zoelah
• Juliette Mills
• Ragga
• Harella
• Maffie and Crew
• music by Barrie Hype, Top Gunners

Sounds like a great lime right?

Well BAD NEWS.  Really bad news.  The whole thing just got scrapped.  

Believe it!  This is not public knowledge, so if you're a ticket holder you might wanna go back to wherever you got it and figure out how to get a refund.  Just doing a public service.  

I won't be telling you my source, because only a few of us know right now.  

Thank God I didn't drop nearly $700 on a flight.

So, sorry Calgary.  I sure hope you get a big show like that some time soon.  I especially feel bad for the seven different acts on the bill who spoke to me about this.  Fill me in when you do...cause I want to be there.    

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Nurse's Lounge: Return to Eden

After all that carnival madness, it's a good idea to cool down before skipping town. Lucky for me, I ran into Walshy Fire from the legendary Black Chiney sound last month in Toronto. We both happened to be a Nathan Phillips Square taking in the Manifesto Hip Hop festival.I biked over to take a peek after I finished up at Soca Therapy on Flow 93.5 FM. Walshy was in town for the night to DJ the official after party.

Nurse Karen and Walshy at Manifesto

So, my boy tells me that he was throwing a party during Miami Carnival weekend and that I should reach if at all possible. Well friends, that was a no-brainer after the time I had in Manhattan. I was going to make time, and make time I did.

Ricky T dancing circles around us...

In retrospect....it was a pretty tricky feat. The Party was called Eden or A.U.R.A (After "U" Rave All Day). I just told you what kind of day I had. Two-carnivals, a lot of jump and wave..and some uber heavy West Indian food to boot. When I got back to the hotel after Broward it was already midnight.

X-caliber International's Slaughter, serious about keeping the party jumping

The event was free for the women-folk before 1 a.m. Yeah, right! So last week, I asked Walshy if there was a guest list. Y'all know I have a problem getting places early. He assured me that 1 wasn't going to be an issue...maybe he doesn't know me well enough yet.

Vincy Soca Artiste Fimba and Nurse Karen

Boyyyy, I just have to count my blessings. I was really looking forward to this event like no other. Simply to relax. This was the spot that where quite a few friends were planning to go...and I wanted to let loose and just dance. (Large up Lady Ga-Ga...Miami is loving your chune!)

Crown Prince taking a break from moving the crowd

To make a long story somewhat longer: we got in. The crew was 10 deep: Barrie Hype, Skinny Fabulous, Teddyson John, Fimba, The Houston Sisters, one lone but bery sweet Trini sistrin, Ricky T, the Split and Me. It must have been more like 2:30 a.m. Walshy we love you. I still remember the look on the ticket girl's face when you waved us in. She was like "All of them?" LOL. Dude...thanks.

Top Gunners Barrie Hype and Skinny Fabulous having a time at Eden

Highlights of the Night: So many.

• Ricky T is a serious winer boy. He can throw down solo, couples style, reggae, soca, old school, house. He never sat down for the night. And because of THAT, neither did i. It was such thrill seeing him school all of us on the dancefloor. Rhythm for hours. Waist for days.
• Meeting Orlando's DJ Crown Prince in the Flesh. Wikked set rudebwoy. Word on the street is that you're moving your operation to Miami. The city will be lucky to have you around
• The after lime at IHOP. That restaurant is so COLD dread, especially when you're wearing a backless dress. I have to say THANK YOU to the gentleman who literally gave me the shirt off his back. He was only getting takeout, but thanks to him, I ate my brekky in total comfort.
• PETER. I'm going to post a video in two-two's. It has nothing to do with soca. But, Peter was our server at IHOP. He's a singer-songwriter with a CRAZY vocal range. Dunno if we'll meet again. But I seriously wish you luck!



Eden was like a return to innocence. No notebooks, no interviews, no deadlines. Just good times with friends.

...belated shout out to Tim and D'Bandit. As I was blogging about IHOP. I thought it would be fitting to post THIS. Good seeing you EVERYWHERE this weekend...on your best behaviour, of course! Hope you enjoyed your red skin potatoes!

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