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

How De Party Ah Look Suh?

How De Party Ah Look Suh?

BROOKLYN’S LITTLE CARNIVAL

 

Every year, I look forward to Labor Day weekend in Brooklyn.  I look for fetes to attend, I get my crew together, and I pick out what I’m going to wear to comfortably shake my assets on Eastern Parkway. I’m a girl that likes to jump and wave all weekend and I was not able to do that this year.  Usually, I have to comb through flyers, check Twitter, and listen to every West Indian radio announcer in Brooklyn to find out which of the many hot events I will attend. This year was slim pickings. 

Ah Love Me Carnival*

Ah Love Me Carnival*

CARIBANA...SORRY, TORONTO CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL WRAP-UP

 

I know there has been a lot of buzz about the “Soca or Die” fete on August 4th, and I have not heard Dr. Jay’s response to know his side of the story; however, I must say that I was disappointed in this event. I flew to Toronto in May 2012 just for “Foam Fete” and was very pleased with the event, the crowd, and even the security. I cannot say that the source of the problem at “Soca or Die” was Dr. Jay since he also promoted the highly-successful “Foam Fete.”  I will say this, this was a bad way to end my Caribana weekend.

They Call Me Mrs. Fete

They Call Me Mrs. Fete

Trinidad Carnival 2012

This year, my intention was to go to only 3 fetes: Licensing, WASA, and Soca Monarch Finals.  Well, I found myself in 7 fetes instead: Inferno, Licensing, WASA, Army, RAMA, Machel Monday, and Soca Monarch Finals.  Throughout the week, I also stumbled into pan yards, Woodford Square for lunchtime shows, and onto the promenade.  What happened to my plan?

It’s not my fault. There was such a buzz in Trinidad around the music, the artists, the controversies, and the - as Trinis love to say - bacchanal. 

So, this year I felt like Nadia Batson: It was time to make up for what I lost. 

Dancehall Soca

Dancehall Soca

ISLAND POP CULTURE VS. SOCA PURISTS

The soca we've grown to know and love is taking on a different sound this year.  Be prepared for a new class of music called Island Pop.  Listen out for the 40-foot Riddim, the Cosmic-Shift Riddim, the Popso Riddim, and the Antilles Riddim.  With the demand high for unique music, don't be surprised if you hear artists with very different styles with tracks on the same riddim.  Good news for producers.  MadMen Productions has worked with Bunji Garlin, Machel Montano, Kes the Band, Destra Garcia, Swappi, Maximus Dan, etc.  Recent releases are not just jump-and-wave fete songs, but also songs for clubs, parties, and perhaps for those of us logging on from the U.S., London, and Canada.