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Exclusive cultural and political content highlighting issues affecting the Caribbean diaspora

Are we over the bacchanal?
Culture, Music, Trinidad Carnival andtechgroup Culture, Music, Trinidad Carnival andtechgroup

Are we over the bacchanal?

The dynamic duo is back at it. DysChick and SocaSaySo are excited to announce the release of our first episode in Season 7 of the BK Rant & Rave podcast! Our theme this season is "are we over it?" In episode one, we want to know if you are over the uncertainty of Trinidad's International Soca Monarch, bacchanal in soca music industry, and Machel Montano being the one carrying the torch for soca.

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Tipsy in Miami
Culture, Music andtechgroup Culture, Music andtechgroup

Tipsy in Miami

If you’ve been following DysChick, you know that I have a fear of flying; however, I have a greater fear of missing out on an epic event. Tipsy in Miami announced that it would feature the King of Soca and the King of Afrobeats and the FOMO was just too real.

Machel Montano has been making the rounds this year promoting his brand, encouraging nations to “Save the Soil,” and making sure that you know he is still the King of Soca after 40 years in the business. Burna Boy is the most popular Afrobeats artiste right now with his hit single “Last Last” reaching over 6 million streams on Spotify.

With these two heavyweights on the bill, you know DysChick had to fly to fete! Yet despite having the top artistes, the event was not E-P-I-C.

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Caribbean Music Marketing Recap
Music, Soca andtechgroup Music, Soca andtechgroup

Caribbean Music Marketing Recap

Caribbean Music Marketing Recap

First, thank you to everyone who attended the Clubhouse Chat “Caribbean Music Marketing: Real Solutions” on January 13th where we provided Caribbean artistes actionable advice from professional Marketers on how to use social media, podcasts, Influencers, and marketing copy to take their music career to the next level.

The panel included DJ Jel, Mikelah, Melly Rose, and Deanna.

What I thought would be a one-hour chat turned into a two hour discussion with gems being dropped left and right. Since Clubhouse does not yet allow seamless recording, I’m giving you the 3 key takeaways from each panelist.

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It's Carnival. Look Bacchanal

It's Carnival. Look Bacchanal

Brooklyn's J'Ouvert and Labor Day Parade

It's been one week since Labor Day. A day where West Indians celebrate the culture and pageantry of the Caribbean with festivities throughout the long weekend culminating in a parade along Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. However, this day was full of disappointments and tragedy.  The predawn j'ouvert street party was once again marred by violence and the annual parade was a lackluster crawl.

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True Masqueraders

True Masqueraders

Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Caribana)

I have been to Toronto many times for many reasons, but my favorite reason for venturing to T-Dot is Toronto's Caribbean Carnival (better known as Caribana).  This year, I resolved to not only sit on the sidelines and watch the parade from behind a giant fence, but to don the revealing costume and play mas. 

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Today I'm Feeling Nice
caribbean, culture, dance, festival, Music, Soca andtechgroup caribbean, culture, dance, festival, Music, Soca andtechgroup

Today I'm Feeling Nice

AWAKE 3.0 Boat Ride

“Who goes to a party at 7am on a Sunday morning?”

“Umm... I do.”

At a friend’s wine & cheese housewarming in the Bronx on Saturday, I told my friends that I needed to call it an early night as I had to get up early to go to a party.  The facial expressions cannot be captured in print, but suffice it to say they seemed concerned for my sanity.  Yes, although I do not usually party on Sundays (aside from Carnival getaways), I decided that Freeze International’s annual morning boat ride would be worth the penance.

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The Beginning of the Endless Summer

The Beginning of the Endless Summer

Memorial Weekend 2014 Parties

After such a long and difficult winter season, New Yorkers were ready for warm temperatures and outdoor parties.  Rather than firing up the grill or heading to southern beaches as so many typically do, DysChick took to the streets of Brooklyn for a weekend of parties featuring great deejays from around the world, live soca performances, and most importantly anti-stush revelers.  If this is the kickoff to New York’s summer party season, I’m ready for an endless summer.

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We Want Drinks
brooklyn, caribbean, culture, dance, Music, New York, Soca andtechgroup brooklyn, caribbean, culture, dance, Music, New York, Soca andtechgroup

We Want Drinks

LUSH Drinks-Inclusive Party

It is true that you can't judge a book by its cover.  If I had, I probably would not have gone inside the brownstone on East New York Avenue.  My initial thought was "who sells tickets to a basement party?"  Surprisingly, this basement party was one of the best events I have been to this year!  Good music and an abundance of good drinks make for an amazing night.  Big up Fusion Karnival and everyone involved in making LUSH an epic event!

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