On De Scene: Vincy newspapers disrespecting Soca Stars

Well, ah know dis one go be a shock to de Nursie... to see a post from me after so long. Hahaha. But after today's newspapers came out ah had was did have to commment. By now we all now how well Skinny Fabulous, Zoelah and Tabia did in the Int. Soca Awards, with Tabia winning 'BEST NEW FEMALE SOCA ARTISTE'. Zola winning, "FEMALE SOCA VOCALIST & FAVOURITE GROOVY SOCA OF THE YEAR", and Skinny Fabulous winning in all 5 categories where he was nominated: "BEST NEW MALE SOCA ARTISTE, MALE SOCA PERFORMER OF THE YEAR, OVERALL MALE SOCA ARTISTE OF T HE YEAR, SONG OF THE YEAR & FAVOURITE UP TEMPO SOCA (MALE).

Well, in today's papers, the story was printed on Pg. 52 in the Searchlight Newpaper. Lemme say dat again in case yuh ain't really ketch.. FIF-TEE-TOO. Now in the same paper on page 2, is some story bout somebody find some long lost relative. So this is more important news than our premier musical artform making great strides?

And if dat nah bad enough... in the News Newspaper, the story was on the second to last page... sharing the page with the weekly update on "THE BOLD & BEAUTIFUL". Like whatever de hell Ridge doing with Stephanie, is of more consequence than Skinny taking all the awards.

Is only outta respect for the Nuss, and my blogging family mek ah don't type two clean dutty word to go with this.

Anyhoo, I had to take time out of compiling the Top 10 Countdown for tomorrow nite to let allyuh know how the print media views our Soca artistes. Ah gone. Til next time.

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The Rounds: Soca Awards Cancellation, Results, Etc

Originally prepared for "Soca Therapy" on Flow 93.5 FM in Toronto, Sunday, November 15, 2009

- 2009 Soca Awards Cancelled (USA)
- Commentary on the results
- CEO of Caribbean Prestige Foundation quits! (Trinidad)
- Tempo Turns 4 (USVI)

Good Evening Soca Lovers,
I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. You have no idea how tired I am saying this, but I have some news about the Soca Awards. Last time I brought it up, it was to say that the event originally scheduled for October 30th, was being rescheduled for December 4th. And today, the story has changed yet again! The 2009 International Soca Awards has been cancelled due to what the organizers are citing as unforeseen circumstances.

The awards show has long been the target of heavy criticism in the industry due to often questionable judgments concerning nominations and the production quality of the events, as well as a general lack of transparency. So, the recent cancellation isn’t looking so hot. The results, HOWever, were published today. Winners are decided based on the results of online voting, which this year, SEEMS to have turned up a rather curious number of ties.

Nurse Karen and Fay-Ann Lyons (Toronto: May, 2008)

None the less, big congratulations goes out Machel Montano for his wins in six categories, and Fay-Ann Lyons and Skinny Fabulous who earned 5 awards each. A record number of Toronto’s own hometown stars, ought to be thankful to you the fans for your votes and support. Toronto-Lime.com, Shy-Ann Bailey, Slammer Cutter and Kerwin Du Bois are all winners today.

Kerwin Du Bois and Nurse Karen in Washingon, D.C. (January 2009)

...And just because I like to make trouble, I want to big up Madmen Productions for their Best Soca Compilation Rhythm award. LOL.  It must feel amazing to find out that you are winning awards for the Bus Stop Riddim, even though Bunji Garlin and Daryl Braxton produced it.WTF?!?  Maybe it was just a typo, but nice one guys! Maybe if I’m really lucky, I could win Best Actress at the Academy Awards next year.

It has been a wild week for soca. No one can deny that. Down in Trinidad the Caribbean Prestige foundation CEO quit this week. That’s the group that produces the International Soca Monarch Competition. It’s believed that a problematic press release is responsible for that one too. Gregory Fernandes, the CEO, held a press conference on Tuesday criticizing a Trini government policy that prohibits the hosting of cultural events, like Soca Monarch, in major sports arenas during the carnival season. The next day, the CPF told the media that his conference not only had nothing to do with them, but they also praised recent government initiatives in regards to cultural activities. Needless to say, Fernandes didn’t appreciate being made to look like a fool. So he’s gone, and it’s still unknown what venue will play host to Soca’s biggest competitive event in February 2010.

Nurse Karen and Iwer George in Toronto (February, 2009)

Speaking of big ticket events. MTV Tempo celebrated it’s 4th anniversary last night on the island of St. Croix. Representing the soca massive was De Boss, Iwer George, Ziggy Ranking, and local Road March Winners, the UMB Solidiers. Other than that it was full line up of Caribbean Stars in Salsa, Dancehall and Reggae.
I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. For more information on any of the items mentioned today, check me out online at Nurse dash Karen dot com or follow me, NurseKaren on Twitter. Now back to de Docta!

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Booster Shot: Soca Awards 2009 Results!

I have good news and bad news.  Good news first:  The results have been published for the 2009 International Soca Awards.  Bad News?  Um, well they never actually had the awards show....and it ain't gonna happen.  A press release was issued today saying,

"The promoters felt that if the event was to fall short of iSA’s already remarkably high esteem in any aspect, that the 2009 Awards Show must be cancelled in order to continue in the cultural realm that Soca has evolved into."

I would love to know what the "unforeseen" circumstances are, considering that the initial date for this year's shindig was set for October 30th. It was then rescheduled till December 4th, and now gone the way of the dinosaurs.

Over here it's a beautiful Sunday morning, and I can't wait to enjoy it. So before I go, how about some of that GOOD NEWS?!?!?


Congratulations to all the winners:
(As always, let the discussions begin !!!)

1. Best New Female Soca Artist

Tabia 2. Best New Male Soca Artist Skinny Fabulous

3. Female Soca Vocalist of the Year

Zoelah - Wine up on me Shyann Bailey - Sweetness 4. Male Soca Vocalist of the Year

Edwin Yearwood - Not Missing Me 5. Female Soca Performer of the Year

Faye-Ann Lyons Destra Garcia 6. Male Soca Performer of the Year

Skinny Fabulous Machel Montano 7. Soca Duo or Group of the Year

Luni Sparks & Electrify 8. Soca Song Writer of the Year

Faye-Ann Lyons - (Heavy T, Meet Super Blue, Wine Faster) 9. Best Soca Collaboration Grove

Obsessive Winners - Destra ft Alison & Saucy   10. Over All Female Soca Artist of the Year

Faye-Ann Lyons

Destra Garcia

11. Over All Male Soca Artists of the Year

Machel Montano Skinny Fabulous 12. International Soca DJ of the year

Techno Sound - Turks & Caicos DJ Stephen - Atlanta Alicia D Duchess - Trinidad DJ Spice - New York 13. Best Soca Compilation Album/CD of the Year

Machel Montano - HD Family 14. Best Soca Compilation Rhythm

Bus Stop Riddim - (Madmen Productions) TNT 15. Soca Humor of the Year

2 Notes by Impulse 16. Favorite Groove Soca - Female

Heavy T - Faye-Ann Lyons Wine up on me - Zoelah  17. Favorite Groove Soca – Male

Push Bumper - Machel Montano Drunk Again - Benjai   18. Favorite up Tempo Soca - Female

Meet Super Blue - Faye-Ann Lyons 19. Favorite up Tempo Soca - Male

Tusty - Blaxx Head Bad - Skinny Fabulous  20. Soca Artist Album/CD of the year

Destra Garcia - Hott 21. Soca Song of the Year

Head Bad - Skinny Fabulous 22. Favorite Soca Info Website

www.toronto-lime.com 23. Over All Soca Band of the Year

Machel Montano HD - TNT Roy Cape All-stars - TNT 24. Soca Producer of the Year

Kerwin Du Bois - (Hangover, Tusty, Obsessive Winners) Neil Bernard - (Bacchanal, Sweetness, Meet Super Blue) 25. Best Soca Music Video

Destra Garcia - Hott (Eldon Pernel) Peter Ram - Tight (Jay Will) 26. Best Soca Chutney Music Video

Drunkard - Soca Elvis ft Hitman, Tracy D & Andy Singh (On “D” Rock productions) 27. Best Soca Re-Mix Collaboration

Tizzy ft Richard Trumpet - Wuk Meh Slammer Cutter ft Hitman - Hangover 28. Over All Soca Chutney Artist of the Year

Kenneth Salick 29. Over All Soca Chutney Band of the Year

Karma Band (TNT) 30. Soca Chutney Song of the Year

Radica - Kenneth Salick 31. Favorite Soca Online Radio

www.redhotflames.com www.soca919fm.com www.wackradio901fm.com 32. Best Soca Chutney Collaboration of the Year

Rum & Roti - Patch & Da Mastamind 33. Best DJ Soca Artist (Dj that sings)

Lil Rick - Thunder Super Jigga TC - Frontline 34. Soca Chutney Artist of the Year

Kenneth Salick 35. Ragga Soca Song of the Year Tight by Peter Ram Banana by Bunji Garlin

Fly Away by Machel Montano ft Collie Budds 36. Best Soca Collaboration up Tempo Luni Sparks & Electrify - Clear De Way

And there you have it!
Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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Q&A: Who cares about soca? October Stats

As a web mistress, I've learned all sorts of things I never dreamed of before.  Once of my biggest facinations is checking out the vistor stats for www.nurse-karen.com .  Some say I travel a lot, but there are still so many places that this blog is enjoyed, where I have yet to visit.  I thought about that and realized that many of you don't realize just how many people (in how many places) are interested in soca music and culture. So, I thought I'd take a moment to inform you about the people who read this blog!

All statistics below refer only to the month of October 2009.  They vary from month to month depending on what music is out, which carnivals are approaching...and what we take the time to post.  Ready?  Here goes...

Top 10 most popular post with Nurse Karen Etc readers?
With more than three years of valuable soca information online, Nurse Karen Etc now boasts more than 2000 individual posts.  Last month, these were the most popular posts to visit: (go ahead and click to see them yourself)

1. Free Download:  Eden Miami Carnival Mix by D'Bandit and Private Ryan
2. Booster Shot:  Artistes Doing Their Lil Bitts for Charity
3. Eye Unit: Happy Birthday Problem Child
4. Booster Shot:  French Canadian Soca Ambassador Featured in Fader
5. Eye Unit:  Happy Independence SVG
6. Booster Shot: Destra is Pregnant!  (originally posted on August 20th!)
7. Booster Shot: 2009 International Soca Awards Nominees are Up
8. Nurse's Lounge:  Miami Bacchanal Wednesday
9. The Rounds:  October is Calypso History Month
10. Booster Shot:  The Asylum Family Sticks it to Miami Promoters

Top 10 Most Common Searches on Nurse Karen Etc
Last month 1153 visits to Nurse Karen came to us via online search.  As the web's most comprehensive portal for contemporary soca news updates, there's no question that people come to us for all sorts of things. Here are the top ten

1.  Nurse Karen / Nurse Karen blog
2.  Destra Garcia Pregnant
3.  Soca Awards
4.  Roy Cape Honored at World Creole Festival
5.  Calypso History Month
6. Miami Carnival
7. Fay-Ann Lyons
8.  Soca News
9.  Claudette Peters
10. Ninja Dan

Where do Nurse Karen Etc Readers live?
1. Unites States of America    37 %
2. Canada  23 %
3. Trinidad and Tobago   11%
4. United Kingdom   6%
5. St. Lucia   2%
6. St. Vincent 2 %
7. Barbados 2 %
8. France 1 %
9. Germany 1 %
10.  Sweden   1 %
11.  Jamaica   1 %
12.  Antigua and Barbuda  1 %
13.  Grenada   1 %
14. Belgium    1 %

The remaining 10 % of visits come from 82 other countries in the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, South America, The Middle East, Australia and Africa.

The market for soca is vast, diverse and growing every day.  I truly appreciate the interaction, support and feedback I get from readers around the world.  Hopefully Nurse Karen Etc helps you see that what many consider to be a small, season, niche music genre has a widespread audience all year long.  To show your love in a more tangible way, be sure to visit our online advertisers whenever you surf in, so we can continue to provide the best in soca news and info to 95 countries worldwide!

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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Booster Shot: Soca Awards Postponed till December

Hey All!

By now you've probably read this elsewhere. But it wouldn't be right for me to not to share this info with you, now that I've confirmed it's accuracy. Indeed the 7th annual Soca Awards has been pushed back till December 4th. Sure hope no one is stuck with a tickets to Turks and Caicos for the wrong weekend!

Anyhoo, voting is still open. From what I can tell, it will close as scheduled on Wednesday, October 28th.  Don't quote me on that...but hurry up and vote anyway.

Love and Soca,
Nurse Karen

See the official pres release below:

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Booster Shot: Soca Awards Voting Starts Today!

Hey people.  If you've been trying to log on to www.socaawards.com to vote for your favourite nominees to no avail, have no fear.  Voting officially started today, about a week after the originally scheduled day. No matter....if you want to vote, you can do so now! Remember the 7th Annual International Soca Awards goes down on October 30th in Turks and Caicos! Hurry on over to www.socaawards.com and vote now!

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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The Rounds: Recognizing Achievement in Soca

Originally Aired on Flow 93.5 FM, "Soca Therapy" with Dr. Jay de Soca Prince


In this edition:
- Showing appreciation
- Antiguans pay homage to Claudette Peters
- DJ Tony Tempo joins Whoo Kid's DJ Fraternity
- Shal Marshall's B-day
- SAO Soca Awards nominees out
- UK Soca Music Awards last night

Good Evening Soca Lovers,
I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. This week the soca world took time out to show some appreciation. Even in Toronto, last night top mas bands Carnival Nationz and Louis Saldenah threw big appreciations fetes for their revellers.

Right now, this evening the Antiguan community in New York is getting together to recognize ITS own. Four time Party Monarch Claudette “CP” Peters was flown in to receive the Salome Drysdale award for her contributions to the development of Carnival, culture and the promotion of Antigua and Barbuda worldwide. The award, is given by the Antigua Progessives Society, a Harlem-based social organization that has served New York’s Wadadlian Community for the last seventy five years.


Tony Tempo and Nurse Karen at Soca Awards 5 in New York
Recently, Atlanta’s DJ Tony Tempo made a power move that he hopes will fly the soca flag higher. The mixmaster best known for his various soca remixes recently signed on to DJ Whoo Kid’s Shadyville DJ Fraternity. For the hip hop lovers out there, you know Whoo Kid as the official DJ of G-Unit. What you may not know it that he’s Haitian and has a passion for Caribbean music. Tony Tempo is first soca DJ to join the team.

While we’re on that subject, I may as well mention another popular DJ who celebrated a birthday just yesterday. I’m talking about Shal Marshall, who beyond being a popular radio and club DJ in Trinidad, is also a husband, father, and SOCA ARTIST. Happy Birthday Shall...Hope it was a good one.


Shal Marshall and Nurse Karen at UWI Splash 2009, Trinidad

The other big excitement this week was the announcement of the 2009 Nominees for the International Soca Awards. Please don’t get it confused with the ones happening in England tonight. As usual, some of the selections were a surprise even to me, but none the less, artists are getting excited about the voting which opens this week. Congratulations Tdot’s own Kerwin Du Bois, Shyann Bailey, Toronto-Lime dot com, and the Enforcas Soundcrew on their nominations.


Inside the Flow studio with Shyann Bailey

As for the UK Soca Music Awards, our fellow soca lovers got together this evening to honour top achievers in the industry at the 2nd annual Soca Music Awards. The audience paid forty pounds a ticket to see performance from the likes of Scrappy, Soca Johnny and Miss Desire. It’s nearly midnight there, so I would imagine most of the results are out, but YOU will have to visit Nurse Karen dot com for that.

I’m Nurse Karen and those were doctor Jay’s Rounds. For more information on any of the new items mentioned today, be sure to check out Nurse dash Karen dot com, or follow me...NurseKaren on Twitter. Now back to de Docta!

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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Booster Shot: 2009 International Soca Awards Nominees are up!

Ok my friends....

Here's your first look at the nominees for the 2009 Soca Awards!

Let the discussing begin!

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

The Official list of Honoree Recipients



Calypso Rose-----------SAO President's Award, the Colin Jackman's Award

Denyse Plummer------ SAO Lifetime/ Achievement Award

Fay-Ann Lyons---------SAO Hall of Fame Award

Singing Francine------ SAO Legend Award

Singing Sandra---------SAO Trustees Award

Ella Andall----------------SAO Trustees Award

Allyson Hennessy---------SAO Technical Award





Soca Awards Organization, Inc. (SAO) Official list of Nominees and Categories


Best New Female Soca Artist

• Alaine - Tonight

• Shyann Bailey - Sweetness

• Cha'randi - Put It On Me

• Blue - Watch Meh

• Tabia - Feeling It

• Tarah Holdipp - All Night



Best New Male Soca Artist

• Shawn “Da Ma$tamind” Noel - Rum & Roti

• Jade Lopez - Bum Bum

• Skinny Fabulous - Head Bad

• Pupa L'eendi - Rum Oh

• TC - Frontline

• Ashanti - Wine On Your Boom Boom

• Trevor Gore - Mama Yo



Female Soca Vocalist of the Year

• Destra Garcia - Hott

• Shyann Bailey - Sweetness

• Alison hinds - Bumpers

• Nnika Francis - Do Meh What Yuh Want

• Zoelah - Wine up on me



Male Soca Vocalist of the Year

• Edwin Yearwood - Not Missing Me

• Kes - This Feeling

• Zan - Slip Away

• Biggie Irie - Bigg Girlzz

• Ragga - Chippin Down De Road

• Rupee - Single Ladies



Female Soca Performer of the Year

• Denise Belfon - Licks

• Destra Garcia - Sassiness

• Faye-Ann Lyons - Heavy T

• Alison Hinds - Bumpers

• Claudette Peters - Bring It On



Male Soca Performer of the Year

• Bunji Garlin - Clear De Road

• Edwin Yearwood - Not Missing Me

• Machel Montano - Push Yuh Bumper

• Skinny Fabulous - Head Bad

• Ricky T - Wheel and Come Again



Soca Duo or Group of the Year

• 2Ntrigue - Kryptonite

• 3 Canal - Boom Up History

• 3 Suns - Give It Up

• Luni Sparks & Electrify - Clear De Way



Soca Song Writer of the Year

• Ricky T - (Party Cya Done, Wheel and Come Again, Toxic)

• KMC - (Am Not Drunk, Yeast, I Will)

• Destra Garcia - (Bacchanal, Hott, Sassiness)

• Faye-Ann Lyons - (Heavy T, Meet Super Blue, Wine Faster)

• Edwin Yearwood - (Not Missing Me, In A Jam, We On De Way)

• Benjai - (Drunk Again, Tanty Say, Whole Day)



Best Soca Collaboration Grove

• Destra ft Alison & Saucy - Obsessive Winners

• Machel Montano ft Collie Budds - Fly Away

• Iwer George ft Ziggy Rankin - We Like It

• Patrice Roberts ft Machel Montano - Tempa Wine

• Shurwayne Winchester ft Serani - AlI Need

• Benjai ft Scarface - Tanty Say

• Shurwayne Winchester ft Maxi Priest - Make it yours



Best Soca Collaboration up Tempo

• Luni Sparks & Electrify - Clear De Way

• Beenie Man ft Trini Jacobs - Superstar

• Ms Alysha ft Alison Hinds - Fly Away

• Nadia Batson & Ms Alysha - Road Block



Over All Female Soca Artist of the Year

• Destra - Hott

• Faye-Ann Lyons - Meet Super Blue

• Alison Hinds - Drop It

• Claudette Peters - Bring It On

• Zoelah - Wine up on me



Over All Male Soca Artists of the Year

• Ricky T - Wheel and Come Again

• Edwin Yearwood - Not Missing Me

• Skinny Fabulous - Head Bad

• KMC - Yeast

• Machel Montano - Push Bumper



International Soca DJ of the year

• Back 2 Basics - New York

• Soca Twins - Germany

• DJ Tony Tempo - Atlanta

• D' Enforcas - Canada

• Alicia D Duchess - Trinidad

• Techno Sound - Turks & Caicos

• DJ Stephen - Atlanta

• DJ Spice - New York



Best Soca Compilation Album/CD of the Year

• Feel Nas - Straight from BIM Vol 2

• Best of the Best - Soca Hits 09

• Soca 919 FM - Trini Bashment - Soca Compilation

• Soca Gold - Soca Gold 2009

• Machel Montano - HD Family

• Best of the Best - Soca Grooves 2009

• The Red Boyz - Mo’ Fire Blazin’



Best Soca Compilation Rhythm

• La Duma Riddim by (Daryl Braxton) TNT

• Coconut Tree Riddim by (Mostapiece Productions) Barbados

• Bad Boy Riddim by (Dwain "Dwaingerous" Antrobus) Barbados

• Step Out Riddim by (Madmen Productions) TNT

• The Feel Nas Riddim by (Dwain "Dwaingerous" Antrobus) Barbados

• Fix It Up Riddim by (Madmen Productions) TNT

• Veteran Riddim by (Penn & Ace) St. Lucia

• Bus Stop Riddim by (Madmen Productions) TNT



Soca Humor of the Year

• Crazy - It Hard

• Impulse - 2 Notes

• Bunji Garlin - Banana

• Ninjitsu - Mango

• Berbice – Beat It



Favorite Groove Soca - Female

• Zoelah - Wine up on me

• Destra - Hott

• Shayne Bailey - Sweetness

• Faye-Ann Lyons - Heavy T

• Alison Hinds - Bumpers

• Tizzy - Wuk Meh

• Nadia Batson - Bumpers Rule



Favorite Groove Soca – Male

• Zan - Slip Away

• KMC - Am Not Drunk

• Benjai - Drunk Again

• Red Plastic Bag - Wrong Gal

• Machel Montano - Push Bumper

• Lyrikal - All Over De Gyal



Favorite up Tempo Soca - Female

• Faye-Ann Lyons - Meet Super Blue

• Claudette Peters - Bring It On

• Destra Garcia - Bacchannal

• Nadia Batson - Play Mas

• Patrice Roberts - Sway In De Mas



Favorite up Tempo Soca - Male

• Stabby De Guard - Go Stabby

• Ricky T - Wheel and Come Again

• Skinny Fabulous - Head Bad

• Blaxx - Tusty

• Red Hot Flames - Musical Bomb



Soca Artist Album/CD of the year

• Destra Garcia - Hott

• Berbice - Demon

• Machel Montano - Heavenly Drum

• KMC - I Am Who I Am - KMC Imperium



Soca Song of the Year

• Faye-Ann Lyons - Meet Super Blue

• Skinny Fabulous - Head Bad

• Red Plastic Bag - Wrong Gal

• Destra Garcia - Bacchanal

• Edwin Yearwood - Not Missing Me

• Benjai - Drunk Again

• Machel Montano - Push Yuh Bumper



Favorite Soca Info Website

• www.tropicalfete.com

• www.trinijunglejuice.com

• www.toronto-lime.com

• www.bajanfuhlife.com

• www.smallislandmassive.com

• www.pointalive.com



Over All Soca Band of the Year

• Red Hot Flames - Antigua

• Edwin Yearwood & Krosfyah - Barbados

• Machel Montano HD - TNT

• Destra Garcia & The Band - TNT

• Roy Cape All-stars - TNT

• Kes The Band - TNT



Soca Producer of the Year

• Red Boyz - (Wrong Gal, Feet Don’t Fail Me Now, Make It Yours)

• Daryl Braxton - (Heavy T, Banana, Tanty Say)

• Sheldon ‘$hel $hock’ Benjamin - (Hott, Ravin, Sway In De Mas)

• Neil Bernard - (Bacchanal, Sweetness, Meet Super Blue)

• Kerwin Du Bois - (Put Me Out, Tusty, Obsessive Winners)



Best Soca Music Video

• Machel Montano, Patrice Roberts - Looking Hot, Push Bumper, Tempa wine

• Destra Garcia - Hott

• Peter Ram - Tight

• KMC - Am Not Drunk

• Iwer George - Ready

• Lil Bitts - Hold Meh / Dis Year

• Edwin Yearwood & Krosfyah - Nah Missing Me

• Shurwayne Feat Maxi Priest - Make It Yours

• 3 Canal - Boom Up History

• Blaxx - Tusty



Best Soca Chutney Music Video

• Dulari Nanny By Ravi B

• Rum & Roti By Patch & Da Mastamind

• Radica By Kenneth Salick

• Go Nah By Rajin Dhanraji

• Bison By Nisha B

• Jep Sting Naina By Hunter, Anil Bheem, Andy Singh, Ravi B, Hitman & Drupatee



Best Soca Re-Mix Collaboration

• Pupa L'eendi ft Blaxx - Rum Oye

• Tizzy ft Richard Trumpet - Wuk Meh

• Ragga ft Skar - Chipping Down De Road



Over All Soca Chutney Artist of the Year

• Hunter - Jep Sting Naina

• Kenneth Salick - Radica

• Hitman - Whole Day ah Liming

• Ravi B - Dularie Nanny

• Soca Elvis – Drunkard



Over All Soca Chutney Band of the Year

• Dil E Nadan

• Gemini Band

• JMC Triveni

• Karma Band

• Anil Bheem BMRZ Band



Soca Chutney Song of the Year

• Tek Mi Gyul “Rat Boy” By Hitman & Ravi B

• Radica By Kenneth Salick

• Jep Sting Naina By Hunter, Anil Bheem, Andy Singh, Ravi B, Hitman & Drupatee

• Dulari Nanny By Ravi B

• Rum & Roti By Patch & Da Mastamind



Favorite Soca Online Radio

• www.redhotflames.com

• www.thefrontlineradio.com

• www.soca919fm.com

• www.wackradio901fm.com



Best Soca Chutney Collaboration of the Year

• Rum & Roti - Patch & Da Mastamind

• A bottle - Alison Hinds, Hunter & Peter Ram

• Basanti - Destra Garcia & Gaymond Ramnarine

• Drunkard - Soca Elvis ft Hitman, Tracy D & Andy Singh

• Andy Singh ft Blaxx - Beating Meh Rum



Best DJ Soca Artist (Dj that sings)

• Lil Rick - Thunder
• Third Bass - Obama
• Devon Mathews - Bumpers
• Super Jigga TC - Frontline
• Shal Marshal - Bum Bum Vile



Ragga Soca Song of the Year

• This Time by Ziggy Ranking

• All Over De Gyal by Lyrikal

• Banana by Bunji Garlin

• Fly Away by Machel Montano ft Collie Budds

• Tight by Peter Ram

• Private Wine by Problem Child

• Doh Tape Meh by KMC

• Nobody’s Goin Home by Tony Matterhorn

• Plenty Gyal by Bunji Garlin ft Beenie Man



Soca Chutney Artist of the Year

• Ravi B - Dularie Nanny

• Hitman - Whole Day ah Liming

• Hunter - Jep Sting Naina

• Andy Singh - Beating Meh Rum

• Kenneth Salick - Radica

Read more...

Booster Shot: 2009 Soca Award Nominees...are coming!

WARNING: What you see here is not news. It's the publicity equivalent of Kanye West interrupting wey she name at the VMAs. It's a just a teaser, and who really likes a tease? Anyway, because I love you to have something new to see every single time you surf on over to Nurse Karen Etc, I thought I'd post it. The real news is due out tomorrow, Sept 23, and you better believe it -- this here is the best place to find it!

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

P.S. I think it's time I make another visit to the soca awards. I know there's no "blog" category or anything...but as a reporter, I think Turks and Caicos fits quite nicely into my autumn schedule....I digress.

Nominees for the 7^th Annual International Soca Awards (iSA) Categories to be released

September 23^rd, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
New York, NY (September 21, 2009) – The Nominees of the 2009 International Soca Awards (iSA 7) will be released to the public by September 23^rd, 2009.

Fanatical support for the 2009 International Soca Awards (iSA) has spread world-wide and gained even more popularity recently. The award show is viewed as a classy yet modern affair in a sea of some dissatisfying recent trends in certain ceremonies, and the perfect stage to display true talent. These true talents are perhaps new to growing fame or veterans in their craft. Because of the growing recognition of the award ceremony at this point, even more people have expressed interest in the outcome of the show, making the voting for the nominees in the categories more validating.

With less than forty days left until the acclaimed iSA hits the shores of the Turks and Caicos Islands, many people are anxious to start voting on their favorites. The Soca Awards Organization will release the categories by September 23^rd, 2009 for the world to view on www.socaawards.com <http://www.socaawards.com/> and allow voting to commence Friday September 28^th, 2009. Fans are urged to get gowns or tux ready and cameras loaded in preparation of this unique affair.

Support for iSA 7 is provided by socaawards.com, socatvonline.com, dcelebrities.com, Red Hot Radio 98.5FM, Pour Moi – Cognac, JTE Spirits, Nikki Resort, Beaches Resort, tropicalfete.com, thefrontlineradio.com, toronto-lime.com, wukupnuff.com, caribbeanmecca.com,tswradio.com, vipconnectedentertainment.com and Soca Mix.

For further information please visit <http://www.socaawards.com/> www.socaawards.com or contact the Soca Awards Organization, Inc. office at (718) 734-5566 / (347) 737-5357 or 649-245-8191, 649-331-6991, 649-242-5405 / Email: socaawards@gmail.com.

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The Rounds:

Originally Broadcast on FLOW 93.5 FM's Soca Therapy

In this edition:
- Mr. Killa is Grenada Road March King
- Nu Vybes mourns the loss of Analdo Williams
- The Soca Awards Moves to Turks and Caicos
- Destra Announces her Pregnancy
- Happy Birthday Fire Empress
____________________________________________________________

Good Evening Soca Lovers,

I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds.

This week I’ve got all kinds of news for you, some good, some bad....But just remember....I’m ONLY the messenger.

So first up, early Monday morning it was announced that Hollis “Mr. Killa” Mapp earned himself the Road March title for Grenada Spice Mas 2009. The song is called Wave It Away. If you’ve been paying attention, you will recall that it’s the same song he used to BLOW away the competition for power soca monarch about a week before.

On Monday, I regret to tell you that the soca fraternity had to bid farewell to another cherished brother. Analdo Williams, the original drummer and frontline vocalist from St. Kitts’ famed party band, Nu Vybes, died suddenly in the wee hours of the morning, from what appeared to be stroke. Williams, who had been residing in Atlanta, leaves behind a wife and three children. The whole soca therapy crew extends our heartfelt condolences to the entire family and all who are mourning the loss of another great West Indian talent.

Old Nu Vybes Band Poster

On Tuesday, it was announced that the 7th annual international soca awards show moves to Turks and Caicos in 2009. The event which has been dubbed “Lucky 7” will honour seven important women in Caribbean Entertainment...and of course, bestow honours on top artists, DJs and Producers from around the world of soca as voted by YOU, the fans. No word on who the nominees are just yet, but voting should being soon to make way for the glitzy awards show slated for October 30th.

So here’s the biggest news this week... To all the grown men out there harbouring crushes on female soca star Destra Garcia. Hard luck!!!! Lil Miss Bacchanal is Pregnant! Yes, allyuh heard me right. The sexy 31 year old artiste is gearing up to have her first child in January 2010. For the guys out there who won’t be deterred by a big belly or a crying infant...I think you’d better set your sites elsewhere. The father is Destra’s boyfriend of 9 nine years, Brian Morris. He’s also her manager, so behave! You’re not getting anywhere close to his client!

Lively, Nurse Karen and Fire Empress in St. Vincent (July 2009)

Before I leave ya, just want to send a special birthday greeting to another soca mommy! Tobago’s 2009 Soca Monarch, Fire Empress will be celebrating her birthday on Monday, August 24th. She’s a hard bodied, energetic mother of two teenage sons. So Destra...you gonna be just fine!

I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. For more info on these and other Soca news stories, visit me online at Nurse dash Karen dot com, or follow me on twitter. Now, back to de docta!

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Booster Shot: Soca Award Lucky 7 heads to Turks and Caicos

Wazzup Kiddies....

The International Soca Awards is set for October 30th in beautiful Turks and Caicos.
A couple months ago, we were the first to tell you that for its 7th anniversary, the Soca Awards Organization will be honouring the contributions of 7th Caribbean women. Now we've got a few more details...

See the official release below...


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

New York, NY (August 17, 2009) – Turks and Caicos Islands will host the 7th Annual International Soca Awards (iSA) on October 30, 2009.


Newsflash! The International Soca Awards (iSA) has island-hopped to the Turks and Caicos Islands for their Lucky 7 award ceremony. After Six successful years in New York 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007, Trinidad in 2005, and St. Kitts in 2008, the 2009 event promises to be the biggest yet. The ceremony’s perspective is to showcase Soca music in its most ostentatious yet elegant and classy form, creating notice and appreciation along the way.

The Annual iSA is the Caribbean’s equivalent to the Grammy Awards where Soca superstars from all facets of the business compete for sought after titles of the Soca Music art form. This gala event is a presentation of the Brooklyn, N.Y. based Soca Awards Organization, Inc., whose founder and CEO is young and ambitious Trinidadian entrepreneur, COLIN HAYDEN JACKMAN. The Red Carpet event will be held on Friday October 30th, 2009 at Downtown Ballpark Providenciales, with doors opening at 5:00pm and show time promptly at 7:00pm.

SAO in association with Star Life Productions & Monopoly Entertainment promises iSA 7 to be a glitzy affair filled with the same exciting atmosphere and refined presentations as the previous Soca Awards ceremonies. Calypso and Soca will ‘rub’ shoulders with the Ripsaw music of the islands and blend well with the islands’ customs. A very high profile international entertainment superstar is expected to be the "Special Invited Guest Presenter" at the star studded evening of music, culture, and honors.

Support for iSA 7 is provided by socaawards.com, socatvonline.com, dcelebrities.com, Red Hot Radio 98.5FM, Pour Moi – Cognac, JTE Spirits, Nikki Resort, Beaches Resort, tropicalfete.com, thefrontlineradio.com, toronto-lime.com, wukupnuff.com, caribbeanmecca.com, tswradio.com,, and Soca Mix.

For further information please contact the Soca Awards Organization, Inc. office at (718) 734-5566 / (347) 737-5357 or 649-245-8191, 649-331-6991, 649-242-5405 / Email: socaawards@gmail.com.

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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Booster Shot: 7th Annual Soca Awards - A Tribute to Women

As promised...

Here's your first look at what's in store for the 2009 SAO International Soca Awards.


Courtesy (Colin Jackman, Soca Awards Organization)

International Soca Awards seventh year titled Lucky Seven

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
New York, NY (June 12th, 2009) – The International Soca Awards seventh year is titled Lucky Seven and is dedicated to women in the soca music industry.

Deemed Lucky Seven, the Soca Awards Organization Inc. (SAO) has found a befitting title for its seventh annual International Soca Awards (iSA) ceremony. This award ceremony is a successful long running production in the entertainment industry, and has gained much prestige along the way. Lucky Seven may be a game of chance, but this award show does not run on chance; it runs on the dedication of passionate individuals who strive to see the best of the Caribbean culture recognized. Seven is a suitable number in this case as it also draws reference to the diatonic scale in music which is made up of seven pitches. In the SAO, soca music is the main focus.

Each show has a general focus, therefore tied in to the theme for the iSA 2009 is the dedication to women in the soca music industry. Don’t be fooled by the title because it is by no luck of the Irish that these women are successful. It is only by being industrious, educated, and diligent in their field that their talents have been acknowledged.

Currently, several islands are bidding for the iSA 2009 ceremony. Anyone looking for updates can log on to www.socaawards.com. SAO is launching their new website on June 15th 2009. A very important element to look for is the voting aspect which starts on June 22nd. The nominees and honorees would be listed and everyone would have an opportunity to vote for his or her favorite artist.

Still waiting on the nominations. When I get'em, you'll be the first to know.

Oh by the way...if you use twitter, please sign this link to petition MySpace to create a Soca music category

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Booster Shot: SAO International Soca Awards nominees to be released

It's that time of year again kiddies! The nominations will be out THIS week for Colin Jackman's Soca Awards Organization, International Soca Awards. Even though I report on the process every year, I didn't realize that this is the time of year that the nominees are announced. Just feels kinda odd to me, considering we are in the middle of the Caribbean's Carnival season.

Anyhooooooo...... can't wait to see who and what made the cut. Any guesses?

I'm just rooting for correct song names and spelling. Apart from that, I cool.

One thing I know for sure, you'll find the complete list HERE first!

Love and Soca,

Nurse Karen

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Booster Shot: (Free Download) Soca Twins win Best Soca DJ Mix

You see what happens when you jump the gun?

I published the results of the International Soca Awards before the official media release was issued. Then, I got the release and I tried my best to fill in the blanks. Thanks to Boone Chatta of the Soca Twins, I discovered that I missed one VERY important category: "Best Soca DJ Mix of the Year".

...and the SAO International Soca Award goes to: Soca Twins for "Addicted 2Soca"

Here I am with the WINNERS, here in Toronto earlier this year. Boys, that night was too FUN!!

I'll be honest, it was an oversight, but maybe I was somewhat conscious about what I was doing. Here are two reasons why:

1. The Soca Twins are my bestest German homeboys, but they were up against
my hometown dawg JESTER. Caught between a rock and some twin rocks, feel me?

2. I'm "uber" happy that their kick @$$ mix took the prize, and yet I
was a tad bit disappointed that I didn't already have a copy for myself.

Well, SOCA PEOPLE....great things come to those who wait. Guess what I just scored? Music. Music. and MORE MUSIC.

So, join me in saying THANK YOU!!! Frankie Fire and Boone Chatta, nuff respect on the awards...and even more kudos for waving the soca flag high and proud in Germany.

Did I mention that these guys are COOL with a capital K (just like ME!!!)? Here's a special gift for YOU, direct from Germany!

Click below to download the award winning mix.

Soca Twins

"Addicted 2 Soca"

Part 1

Part 2

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