For almost two decades, VP Records has been bringing the annual Soca Gold series to the masses. The top-selling compilation has been the ultimate carnival soundtrack from Caribbean islands. On May 21, Soca Gold 2013 will unleash the genre’s freshest party anthems including one of Trinidad & Tobago’s biggest tunes of the year with Bunji Garlin’s “Differentology,” [...]
DJ/production super group Major Lazer has remixed Bunji Garlin’s 2013 Carnival hit “Differentology.” The collaboration hit airwaves across the globe on April 5th 20i3 and will appear on the group’s latest EP Major Lazer Strikes Back. The much anticipated remix is expected to give the song the added impetus needed to complete its transition into [...]
Fresh off his first appearance in New York for 2013 at his recent headlining Got P.C.D. concert and his Socatology show shortly thereafter in Barbados, Bunji Garlin is again making headlines. The Ragga Soca artiste, who is still dealing with the loss of his brother back on March 6th, has had and continues to [...]
I could tell this night was going to be one for the ages when, as I entered Latin Quarters, I saw one of the security guards carrying out a patron who seemingly drank her P.C.D. (Post Carnival Depression) away; and this was just after 6pm! As I walked down the stairs onto the general area, [...]
Caribbean Soca superstars Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons will perform for the first time in New York City for 2013, on Sunday March 24th. Presented by New York City’s cultural innovators and nightlife aficionados, Shorblu Events and Back to Basic Entertainment, the award-winning powerhouses will administer a much needed dosage of potent Soca at the [...]
Soca king turned Viking, Bunji Garlin, recently fell ill, unbeknownst to a lot of his friends and family. The former Soca Monarch took to facebook last week Thursday to alert fans of his recent ailment and acknowledged his physician and his wife, Fay-Ann Lyons, for his recovery. Here is what Bunji Garlin posted on his [...]
In the third installment of their seasonal Soca compilation, Precision Productions tenders a musical amalgamation that consists of the Power and Groovy masterpieces, which have kept T & T’s fetes blazing for Carnival 2013. This unique combination of songs is only available from team Precision and features such talented individuals as, Bunji Garlin, Kerwin Du [...]
Last week I took the advantage of the opportunity presented when Superblue was announced as a Soca Monarch finalist setting up a historical showdown between himself and Machel Montano. This week I’m going to spend some time picking apart this Soca Monarch fiasco. The promoters of International Soca Monarch and Groovy Soca Monarch, the Caribbean [...]
It seems that I have ruffled some feathers with my last post but don’t expect me to apologize. Get you *ish together and you wouldn’t have to hear the truth about your shortcomings. Done talk! Anyhow, this week I am going to add fuel to a fire that is already creating enemies amongst friends. Who [...]
In their first television interview together for 2013, Trinidad and Tobago’s reigning Soca couple, Bunji Garlin and his wife Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez sat down and kept it real with fellow Soca artiste and Synergy TV host, Jason “JW” Williams. The artistes spoke on their personal choice and right to not participate in the 2013 International Soca [...]
Shout out the Red Star Alliance for this wicked footage of Soca King – Bunji Garlin freestyling during Red Edge Fete that occurred this past Sunday, in Trinidad. Bunji Garlin is surely one of the best lyricist the Caribbean has ever seen and he proved it yet again this weekend. Check out the video as [...]
Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez have both bowed out of the International Groovy and Power Soca Monarch competitions, respectively. The couple announced this last night, saying they decided to withdraw because they believe that fundamental clauses in the competitors’ contracts were objectionable and demanded too much of the winners. They were therefore advised by [...]
The 2013 Play Whe International Power Soca Monarch is gearing up to be the ultimate clash of the Soca titans! On January 8th 2013, the names of the 30 semi-finalists chosen to compete in the Play Whe International Power Soca Monarch were announced. Fay-Ann Lyons, Benjai, Blaxx, Destra, Anslem Douglas, Bunji Garlin and the first-ever Soca [...]
On January 8th 2013, the names of the 30 semi-finalists chosen to compete in the Digicel International Groovy Soca Monarch were announced. Things are falling into place quickly for the Groovy Soca Monarch semi-finals carded for Sunday January 20th 2013 at the Arima Velodrome.Will Machel Montano regain his crown as the International Groovy Soca Monarch or will [...]
In celebration of the 21st anniversary of the Soca Monarch competition this year’s edition of the Carnival Friday event will be a gala affair complete with a grand after-party. This year’s big winners of the power soca and groovy soca competitions will be taking home cash prizes of $2 million and $1million, respectively. Chairman of [...]
This upcoming weekend, some of the T&T’s biggest soca acts will converge at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain for one of the most anticipated events in Carnival each year – Fire Fete! Fire Fete 2013 will see the rejuvenation of an event that has stood the test of time as event organizers prepare to [...]
William Munro is one of the happiest men on earth right now, as his International Soca Monarch competitions look like the ultimate clash of the Soca titans! The Caribbean Prestige Promotions founder confirmed that Bunji Garlin (Ian Alvarez) and his wife, Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez have indeed re-entered the biggest Soca show on earth. Last year they [...]
A name synonymous with musical hits in the Carnival season, Madmen Productions out of San Juan, Trinidad is penetrating harder than many may have anticipated ahead of Carnival 2013. In recent weeks, the team of enthusiastic, highly reputed producers have sweetened the sound of some of the country’s very talented entertainers, among them, Kees Dieffenthaller, [...]
My apologies to Destra Garcia and her fans for not mentioning her in my “Queens of Soca” countdown last week. She is definitely one of the Queens of Soca and has gone through many of the same struggles that her female counterparts have faced. She continues to be an ambassador for Caribbean music and deserves [...]
It is no surprise that new Soca music is being released on almost a daily basis. With a plethora of new artistes and the veterans all vying for those “Hits” for the 2013 Carnival season, Soca lovers are basking in wave after wave of new releases. The masses are enjoying the job of determining the [...]
In their first forage into the celebrated Bajan Cropover Season, Precision Productions held nothing back as they produced a rousing frenzy with the very popular Full Throttle Riddim. The gripping vigor of the Riddim though, had much more to offer and after waiting until the timing was just right, it is with blazing enthusiasm that [...]
Soca royalty, Bunji Garlin and his beautful wife, Fay-Ann Lyons are no strangers to controversy! The couple, who have been married for over five years, have never shunned away from voicing their opinions and representing the voiceless, however, these are the very traits that seem to attract the troublesome type to the duo. From Twitter [...]
Nicki Minaj’s highly anticipated video for “Pound The Alarm” shot in Trinidad is finally here!!!!! After receiving a warm welcome in her homeland, the rap Queen quickly settled in carnival costume regal to film the video, directed by Benny Boom. With a bevy of beauties in colorful costume, classic carnival characters, a steel pan intro [...]
Award-winning Caribbean restaurant, Super Wings NY and it’s CEO and founder, Colette Cyrus-Burnett, recently featured on the ABC’s Channel 7 Sunday public television program, Here and Now. Here and Now is a weekly one hour program hosted by Sandra Bookman, that’s dedicated to covering the issues and interests of the African-American. Burnett, a Finance and Business [...]
This week I chatted it up with Ragga Soca King of the World, Bunji Garlin, as he spreads Soca music during his 2012 European tour. The 4x International Soca Monarch winner and Soca ambassador took time out of his busy schedule to answer a few quick questions. Check them out below: Jay Blessed: From Fri [...]