“[…] If you’re trying to build something, it’s up to you to decide whether or not you’re looking for fame, a quick joyride, or a genuine connection that grants you the ability to positively impact people. “Once you decide what you’re building, then you’ll know what kind of foundation you’ll …
Read More »Dear Editor: Bottom in the web—AI composes soca song in three seconds
“[…] Bottoms up, they shake and sway; hips are moving, in a playful way; “Gyrating to the rhythm, so divine; women’s bottoms, pure sunshine…” In the following Letter to the Editor, Orson Rogers from Belmont shares with Wired868 what happens when he asks AI language model to write a soca …
Read More »Orin: White vest, sneakers and Wallabees: Bunji was the boss—but I won’t forget Nailah either
“[…] Bunji’s clever ragga-style rapid-fire toasting managed to include a range of references, from isosceles to Wallabees… Their joint ownership of Hard Fete is itself more powerful than anything either of them said in defence of it, and they had plenty to say. “[…] Nailah and Skinny’s offering is a …
Read More »Bunji: “When you have a family, there’s no longer a thing as MY win!” Road March champ fires back
“[…] Our family will have our names on everything together just like cooperate institutes, groceries, shops, stores and other businesses. “And if that is a problem for you then… there’s cliffs all over the island that have no barriers and no need for parachutes. Feel free…” The following is a …
Read More »Hard Fete rules the road! TUCO tallies for Bunji and Fay-Ann
Soca power couple Ian “Bunji Garlin” Alvarez and Fay-Ann Lyons are the first Road March champions of the post-Covid-19 pandemic era, as the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) announced the husband and wife pair as the Visit Trinidad Road March champions. Their popular song, Hard Fete, was played 135 times …
Read More »Orin: ISM’s vital to Trini-Caribbean soca partnership—just ask Mr Killa!
“[…] Another response I took issue with was ‘let the market decide’ whether ISM survived or not. Some of those sentiments came from folks with a UWI education paid for by the state. “T&T as a society decided that access to higher education wasn’t going to be according to means. …
Read More »Orin: Machel Montano’s misstep; and why Soca Monarch deserves better
“[…] The main argument in defence of what’s in effect a Machel Monday redux on Carnival Friday was that ISM was dying anyway, so what’s the problem letting Monk have his way and have the day? “It’s a strikingly bad argument. If your beloved relative is dying, you don’t finish …
Read More »St Bernard: “Transformative, uplifting, enjoyable”—why Kees is my King of Soca
You don’t have to put anyone down, to elevate another. Kees Dieffenthaller, is my current ‘King of Soca’. I came to that conclusion after watching Kes The Band perform the full spectrum of soca music for one hour. Nothing but soca! Kes had the largest turnout, about 22,000, at the …
Read More »‘Band yuh belly!’ The soca legacy of Uncle Blaxx
‘Allyuh come een!’ If you like soca and calypso, Blaxx (Dexter Stewart) has made you happy, jump, wave, sing, laugh, knock a glass, hug a stranger, tap your feet or spread your hands and let go at least once. In an industry with an insane annual refresh rate, quick to …
Read More »Famalay for the Road! Machel nears record; here’s how he compares with Kitchener and Super Blue
Soca star Machel Montano is now just one hit away from the all-time record for Road March titles, as he was awarded his tenth crown today by TUCO for Famalay—a collaboration which includes Ian “Bunji Garlin” Alvarez and Gamal “Skinny Fabulous” Doyle. Famalay was played 346 times at the respective …
Read More »Who feels it, knows it! St Bernard’s pick for calypso crown and how local music can raise foreign exchange
I’m backing Joanne “Tigress” Rowley for Calypso Monarch 2019. Her story is real. Her music is good. And, yes, I had a ring side seat to her deciding on the song, Who Feels It, Knows It. Her rendition deals with depression and a mental health issue she dealt with after …
Read More »From front to back and back to front; St Bernard on the legacy of the “Mighty Shadow”
“Come here Winston. Go there Winston. Dey always pushing me around,” sang the late iconic calypsonian, Winston “Shadow” Bailey. For that reason, I always called him Winston. I considered him my friend. He was complex and self assured about his music. I once begged him to allow me to compile a …
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