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Page 2 of 2 Compared to other genres such as garage, hip-hop, R&B, how do you assess the popularity of soca in the UK? >>It’s growing! When I first came here I was struck by how few people listened to soca – but that is no longer. How can you resist it anyway? People had a misconception of the music and pictured it as a music of their parents. Its now being re-appropriated by the young people – Jamesy P’s Nookie even charted in the UK at #12! 1Xtra as a station also supports Soca music entirely, and had me guest on several dancehall and breakfast shows during Carnival to push my show. Therefore, we tapped into the much bigger R&B and Hip Hop audiences to tell them what soca has to offer. What other types of music are you interested in? >>Dancehall is a music that I am equally passionate about, but I also love rock [The Killers, Kings of Leon], R&B [John Legend] and Hip Hop [Kanye Tu Tu Da!]. Its such a global world now, that music is all on a spectrum of your mood…I also love folk [Joan Armatrading, Bob Dylan, Leanord Cohen]…music is music. It’s a vibration – an inspiration at different times. Chunky peanut butter or smooth? >>Chunky. Mmmm. Do you return to the Caribbean on a regular basis and if so is this
for business or pleasure? >>A couple times of year when I’m lucky – it’s always pleasure, though. I’m getting more gigs in the Caribbean recently. I hope to be home for Christmas. How I miss it – let me count the ways. What advice would you give to others who are interested in following in your career path? >>Well – you better love it. If you don’t, just get into something that will have a sure steady continuum upon which to ride. Love it, work hard and absorb information from everyone. Listen to music production, not just your favourite bands or solo artists; start learning label names and watching trends. People think they need to be working for someone to get in the know, but you just have to keep your eyes and ears open. Watch men like Peter Coppin – he’s making the best soca riddims in the world right now in my opinion. From your experience in the UK, what advice do you have for Caribbean soca artists in terms of packaging their music and getting it noticed internationally? >>Good question. I think Soca Music’s popularity suffers from peoples’ ignorance of the artists. In order for people to become more artist focussed, they have to be able to find them! I say that to say that I think soca artists need to do more marketing of themselves along with their music. Music fans buy into their artists as much as their music. Soca artists need accurate and up to date websites on which they can showcase and interact with fans. Then of course comes good distribution etc, but Bajan distributors are good compared to some of the other islands – getting music out and available is still of course a major priority also. As far as the UK market goes, who are some of the more recognised soca artists and which songs in particular? >>They know Machel Montano – simply as the most exciting entertainer in Soca Music. They also know Jamesy P now, who did an incredible job while he was here for Notting Hill, in marketing himself. Destra Garcia is well known and loved. They know Edwin and Krosfyah and Alison Hinds of course. They know the more popular musicians by name, but would know most simply from the songs they remember. Popular songs would be Nookie [Jamesy P], Roll It [Alison Hinds], The Band Coming [Shurwayne Winchester], First Experience [KMC], Colours [Nathalee Burke]. A night at the opera or a home watching movies? >>Funnily enough – home watching movies. I know my ma would laugh at that, as she thinks that I’m the original social dandadda! I really would prefer a night in though – these days.
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