DysChick
Don't Try to Divide We

The Question of the Essequibo

On December 3rd, Venezuela will hold a referendum to decide whether to formally claim Essequibo, a region long disputed with Guyana, as a Venezuelan state. Should they decide to move forward with the claim, Guyana would lose over 70% of its territory, much of which has been the source of the nation’s newfound wealth.

Don't Try to Divide We
DysChick
I Takin' A Mental Day

New Year, More Naps

Hello and Happy 2023!

I can’t believe how much happened in 2022. We came out of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mia Mottley secured a second 5-year term as Prime Minister of Barbados, Russia started a war with Ukraine, and Herschel Walker lost the Georgia election - but so did Stacey Abrams. You know, yin… yan.  The same was true for DysChick. Despite personal tragedies, I was able to be outside like garb – nope.  I refuse to make that a phrase.

So what’s my plan for 2023? Rest.

I Takin' A Mental Day
DysChick
Anything wey you do, dem must commentate

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.

Anything wey you do, dem must commentate
DysChick
For All of the Women of the World

We Need NOW Now!

So let's recap America’s first six months of 2022:

Are we great yet? No? Okay, how about this, we just decided to revoke a woman’s right to chose when and if she wants to become a mother.

For All of the Women of the World
DysChick
It's All About the High Life

Is Machel working with a godman or a conman?

We released our second episode of Season 6 of the Rant and Rave podcast. In this episode we talk about Machel Montano and Indian super yogi Sadhguru’s campaign to “Save the Soil.” The campaign has already resulted in six Caribbean nations (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Guyana, and Barbados) signing the Memorandum of Understanding and pledging to adopt long-term policy to safeguard soil and promote ecologically-friendly initiatives. We RANT about what this means for Caribbean tourism, the economy, and what we can do to reverse the climate crisis. But who is Sadhguru?

It's All About the High Life

soca

Yo Ka Parlé, Parlé, Parlé

Yo Ka Parlé, Parlé, Parlé

Okay, but did you watch "Cuties"?

Several friends reached out to me over the past few days to ask my thoughts on the Netflix movie “Cuties".” I had not seen it, but I certainly saw all of the dialogue surrounding the provocative dancing of pubescent girls. Despite the outrage and it’s 89% Rotten Tomatoes rating, many involved in the conversation admitted that they did not actually watch the film. Well, for those of you who saw the clip of young girls dancing to Yemi Alade’s “Bum Bum,” there’s actually more nuance to the film than that.

Is A Rankin Ting or What?

Is A Rankin Ting or What?

Soca Monarch 2017 Review

The International Soca Monarch competition takes place on the Friday prior to Carnival called Fantastic Friday.  Artistes compete to see who will take home the title of Soca Monarch and the cash prize.  Notably absent was the Ultimate Rejects whose hit "Full Extreme" has been making mashing up fetes and headlines in the global soca world. The 2017 show was perhaps evidence of the declining relevance of Soca Monarch.

Madd Sick

Madd Sick

DJ Young Chow's MADD SICK pt.11 

On Saturday, January 25th, the cold and snow made daily activities so undesirable that I figured DJ Young Chow's MADD Sick would have a less than impressive turnout.  I admittedly underestimated Young Chow's allure.  Brooklyn's Pulse 48 was completely packed!  The online buzz about this party was so ridiculous that the VIP beds were completely sold out early (glean from that what you will).  Massive B, Steelie Bashment, Pantrin Vybez, DJ Magic, Road International, and Big Show Squad entertained the sold out crowd until the wee hours of the morning.

Did you walk with your flag?

Did you walk with your flag?

MLK Weekend Review 

As a feter, the decrease in anti-stush parties is interesting to me.   If you follow me on Twitter or FaceBook, you know that I frequent Dr. Jay's epic events in Toronto.  These parties often have flag-waving, powder-flinging crews donning flat shoes and short pants.  So if Dr. Jay is producing these kinds of parties in Toronto, why are they dying out in New York?

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Me Two Hand in the Air

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Me Two Hand in the Air

Long Island Carnival 

“This should probably only take about three hours.  There are only two mas bands on the road, so I’m sure I will be back home by 5pm.”  I had to eat those words when I returned home close to midnight on September 7th after attending Long Island Carnival.  Why did I even bother to go?  Well, as Brooklyn Carnival was just one week prior, I still had the carnival jumbie in me and Long Island Carnival offered a quick fix.

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I Find Mehself in A Jouvay Band

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I Find Mehself in A Jouvay Band

Boston Carnival

The last time I attempted to experience the Carnival, Hurricane Irene blew through the east coast and forced me to return to New York prior to the parade.  I took that as a sign.  Two years later, I made a second attempt.  Luckily, the air was cool and sunny skies blanketed the massive festival that began at 5am with j’ouvert and ended some twelve hours later.  Fine.  I am converted.  Boston Carnival, ah comin’ again!

Ah Tell You I Have It

Ah Tell You I Have It

Toronto Caribbean Carnival

Every August Toronto comes alive with the sights and sounds of Carnival.  This year was no different.  From the moment I landed at the Billy Bishop Airport downtown, I could hear steelpan playing in the distance.  This was what I had been waiting for.  I paid the entrance fee ready to get up close and personal with the masqueraders.  Unfortunately, the entrance fee got me as far as the 8-foot-high fence.  Although I enjoyed my visit, I have to admit that it did not compare to the carnival experience I had last year.

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Ah Come for Dat

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Ah Come for Dat

2012 YEAR IN REVIEW

2012 has been one for the books.  I can’t believe all of the fetes, parties, and carnivals I was able to attend this year.  Of course, not every event was a success.  I want to share my most memorable fete moments of 2012.