Eye Unit: Gyptian - Hold You (Soca Refix)

VP records is on their "A" game with this big tune from Gyptian.  Here is a re-release of the video with the official soca riddim in the background.  I love a good reggae ballad just as much as the next gal, but honestly, there's something un-romantic about a man singing about "the tightest hold". Ah well, I don't make the music, I just write about it.

Enjoy!




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Booster Shot: 2010 International Reggae and World Music Award winners announced

The event went down last Sunday in Jamaica Queens, New York. You wanna know who won, and I wanna tell you! For those of you care ONLY about matters relating to Soca, I've taken the liberty to highlight the categories where soca reigns victorious. Yeah, you're welcome.

Congrats to all winners and nominees.

WINNER LIST, CHECK OUT THE WINNER LIST
1. Entertainer of the Year – Machel Montano
2. Recording Artist of the Year – Queen Ifrika
3. Best Male Vocalist – Tarrus Riley
4. Best Female Vocalist - Alison Hinds
5. Best Song –Wash Away the Tears”- Gramps Morgan
6. Best CD – “Awake”- Julian Marley
7. Best Crossover Song – “Theraphy” – Gramps Morgan
8. Best Gospel Song – “Help” Omari
9. Best Female D.J./Rapper – Queen Ifrica
10. Best Male D.J./Rapper – Elephant Man
11. Best New Entertainer – Gramps Morgan
12. Best Calyso/Soca Entertainer- Machel Montano
13. Best Reggaeton Ent. – Pit Bull
14. Best Latin Entertainer- Enrique Iglesias
15. Best Compas Ent. – Kryol La
16. Best African Ent. – Samini
17. Best Soukous Ent.- Awilo Longomba
18. Best Hip Hop/R&B Ent.- Jamie Foxx
19. Outstanding Contribution to World Music – Mamadou Diabte
20. Most Outstanding Stage Personality – Beenie Man
21. Best Music Video– “So Fine”- Sean Paul
22. Best Poet- Mutabaruka
23. Most Educational Entertainer – Queen Ifrika
24. Most Outstanding Show Band– Machel Montano  HD
25. Most Consistent Ent. – Freddie McGregor
26. Most Promising Entertainer – Barbee
27. Most Improved Entertainer – Winsome Benjamin
28. Best Instrumentalist –Dean Fraser
29. Best Backing Band – New Kingston
30. Most Popular Selector/Sound – One Love Hi Powa
31. Concert of the Year –- Rebel Salute
32. Promoter of the Year – Sumfest
33. Producer of the Year – Donovan Bennett
34. Songwriter of the Year – Queen Ifrika
35. Award for Spiritual Service Through Music – Capleton
36. Community Service Award – Shaggy & Friends
37. Most Outstanding Dance Group- Dancerz Blvd
38. Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award: Wyclef Jean, Rev Al Sharpton
39. Int’l Reggae & World Music Hall of Fame/Lifetime Inductee: Tony Ryan, Jack Scorpio, Noel Williams (King Sporty), Tony Green
40. Martin’s International/Inter-Culture Award of Honor: India.Arie, Matisyahu
41. Special Producer’s “Respect” Award: Rennie Cogle
42. Awards of Appreciation for Contributions to the Music Industry: Trevor Forde, Ron Muschette, Donovan Longmore, Ricot Dupuy


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Booster Shot: Problem Child heading to Berlin Carnival

As a person of that good West Indian bouillon stock, I always find myself marveling about those who fall in love with our culture on their own time and champion it as if their lives depended on it.  Don't get me wrong.  I was raised an educated in Canada, so often people find it odd that I care so deeply about spreading the good news of soca.  but then you meet dudes like the Frankie and Boone - The Soca Twins, a couple of turntabling Germans who rep our music to the fullest.  They DJ Caribbean grooves, the promote Carribbean-style parties, Boone Chatta is beginning to make strides as an artiste....AND...they have their own mas band at Berlin's Carnival of Cultures.


This year, the twins are celebrating 8 years in the soca world, and Problem Child is among the artists they have invited over for the party.


Check out the official word from Problem Child's camp...

Thursday, 1^st of April, 2010

Problem Child’s First Trip to Germany: Berlin Carnival 2010

NEW YORK – Soca artiste Problem Child will be traveling to Germany for the first time at the end of May to represent St. Vincent and the Grenadines for Berlin Carnival 2010.

 The Berlin Carnival weekend will start with ‘Carnival Jump-Up 2010’ on Friday, 21^st of May at the Icon Club. This Carnival warm-up party celebrates the 8^th birthday of the Soca Twins, well known German soca DJs and self-proclaimed soca ambassadors.  Problem Child will be headlining the fete, which will also feature renowned international reggae DJ David ‘RamJam’ Rodigan, Germany’s own Count Shortleg and hosts, the Soca Twins.

 Problem Child will also perform on the Soca Twins’ truck for Berlin’s 2010 Mas on Sunday, 23^rd of May. Berlin Carnival attracts visitors from all over Europe. The turnout is expected to be between 500,000 to 1,000,000 masqueraders and spectators. 

For more information on The Soca Twins and the Carnival of Cultures, visit the links.

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Booster Shot: Machel Montano for US Immigration reform?

The fans know Machel Montano for the oil in his waist.  The media is well aware of the complex and active brain in his head.  However, not too many would think of the Soca superstar as a political activist.

No worries, Machel is not changing his night job, but it seems he created a bit of a stir on a New York radio program on Saturday when he indicated he would be "open to speaking to politicians or joining in at picket lines on behalf of the West Indian community in need of immigration reform in the U.S."


In a radio interview that discussed US immigration policies, and racial profiling, Montano spoke to "Caribbean Corner" host Felicia Persaud the same day protesters marched to speak out on the issues


So all of you reading this at home with visions of green cards dancing in your heads, don't you fear, Winer Boy is here!


MORE ON THIS




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Booster Shot: Carnival stabbing mars Point Fortin Borough Day

It's been 38 years since the South Trinidad town of Point Fortin first brought Carnival in the Month of May to Trinidad and Tobago.  In 2010, it is a much bigger event, embraced by the whole country  with the participation of many of T&T's top entertainers.

Sadly, this year the spirit of revelry went head to head with the spirit of alcohol and lost when a 25 year old construction worker was stabbed to death Saturday morning over a bottle of beer.

For more on this story from the Trinidad Guardian,

CLICK HERE


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