Denise Belfon live at Soca Monarch – Chuku Chuku

Based on Flavour’s song Nwa Baby, Denise has successfully made this song her own, catching that essence and energy that only she has.

Flavour – Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix) [Official Video]

This Nigerian track was a massive hit for Flavour in both Nigeria and Trinidad especially during Carnival 2014. I love dancing to this, even though the song is about a prostitute?!!

It became the song that the Trinidadian Soca singer Denise Belfon did her own special take on with ‘Chuku Chuku’ and gave an amazing romantic performance at Soca Monarch. Please see her video in my next post.

The original Nigerian Timaya – Bum Bum

This is the original Timaya track before the Machel mix.

Loving the back beats, which do you prefer the original or the collaboration with Machel Montano?

Mr Killa – Rolly Polly Official Music Video

You either love this video or hate it.

I love the song and the girls seem to love Mr Killa.

What do you think?

The Trinidad Carnival Transformation

Trinidad Carnival

Sounds dramatic right? Each time I participate in Trinidad Carnival I learn something about myself and my friends. I am sure I am not the only person who grows a little after participating in Trinidad Carnival.

So what are these changes? Well when I first went to Trinidad I did not have a clue what to expect. I was shy and self conscious to the point I almost followed the crowd (my friends) as the thought of being alone in a different country was a little nerve racking, however I always remember having a real passion for Soca music.

My band’s costume was ordered online and the fact I didn’t physically have the outfit in the UK, made me feel the skimpy bikini wasn’t real. This meant I never questioned how I would feel wearing it and dancing in it publically.

As the fetes and parties leading up to the carnival finale took my mind over, a difference in environment made me feel I could be whoever I wanted to be. Being on an island where the rules of what size or shape are deemed attractive felt much broader than the UK and made me feel less body conscious. When I collected the outfit, I only tried the costume bra and I felt comfortable, I surprisingly needed no ones approval and quickly focused on getting ready for the fete that evening.

On the big day of carnival. I put my outfit and make up on and looked in the mirror. I remember feeling blessed with my body shape. I danced down the road like I owned it and even harder when my band Poison were being judged on stage. I lost my friends a couple of times (and parts of my costume) but there was no worry or panic, mainly because I was too busy whining down low!!!!

My experience as a bacchanal virgin left me feeling a sense of pride. It made me feel like my figure was perfect, that having a larger chest and bum was no reason to cover and hide. I felt empowered.

When I returned to England. My choice of clothes and my body conscious behaviour changed for good. I think the only thing that has remained constant is my thirst for Soca and hunger for DAL PURI and CURRY!

New Olatunji -What We Know

Olatunji using the ‘Carnival Riddim’.

New KES The Band – Spirit

Using the new Carnival riddim, KES actually captures the spirit of carnival.
This popular ‘riddim’ is currently being supported by artists like Machel Montano, Olatunji and Blaxx.

Trinidad I’m ready!

Farmer Nappy – All ah dat! NEW TUNE for Carnival 2014

This is currently my favourite out of my favourites!!! Trinidad 2014 here I come!!!

Bunji Garlin -Carnival Tabanca 2014!!!!!!!

Bunji Garlin is a musician, producer and a Song-writer, born in Arima,Trinidad and Tobago. His real name is Ian Alvarez and is of St.Lucian and Venezuelan parentage. He is married to another famous soca artist Fay Ann Lyons (whose father is the famous Superblue).

Bunji has won Trinidad’s famous Soca Monarch/International Soca Monarch competition on several occasions and I’m sure if this new Bunji track is anything to go by, he will win again in 2014!

The word Tabanca refers to the extreme sadness felt following the end of carnival. Dance with a tear in your eye!

Machel Montano & Morgan Heritage – I see lots

New track from Machel. Heartfelt reggae influenced Soca track with a beautifully shot video. Can’t get enough of this one at the moment.