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

It's All About Unity, Togetherness

It's All About Unity, Togetherness

“RANT AND RAVE” - BUSINESS EDITION

On June 19th, The Slope Lounge hosted “Rant and Rave” presented by DysChick & SocaSaySo. This time we sat down with entrepreneurs. Ontrackdisco who owns Bklyn Prime, Palooza Kitchen, and Bklyn Space shared his challenges opening and operating multiple businesses, Barbadian-American attorney and owner of Sterling Real Estate Group, LLC Terry Hinds told us why we need to take an "active interest" in what's going on in our community, and sisters Jo-Laine Duke-Collins and Deidre Duke of Jolie Studios told us how doing business with family has impacted their success.

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We Come Out to Rant and Rave

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We Come Out to Rant and Rave

“RANT AND RAVE” - 5 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT WIADCA

Didn’t make it to DysChick & SocaSaySo’s “Rant and Rave” event on May 22nd? Well, you missed out on a great discussion with members of Brooklyn’s carnival association WIADCA. Panelists Angela Sealy (Chairperson), Rhea Smith (Cultural Diversity Professional and WIADCA member), and DJ Spice (Teamsoca Founder and WIADCA member) were on hand to answer pressing questions from the community, bloggers and journalists.

Soca to the Universe

Soca to the Universe

Dyson Knight & Wendi Lewis on Caribbean Unity

Recently, Machel Montano made waves in the Trinidadian soca community by stating that soca no longer belongs to Trinidad, but to the entire Caribbean. The idea that trying to own soca would only limit the growth of the genre resonates with two of the hottest Bahamian artistes who are looking to take their music to the world.

The Whole Place Mashup

The Whole Place Mashup

TRINIDAD CARNIVAL 2019

2019 was not supposed to be a particularly significant year.  It’s not an even number and it does not mark the beginning of a new decade.  However, this turned out to be a historic Trinidad Carnival year.  With a shakeup in the Soca Monarch leadership, pan bands taking each other to court, and Trinidadians fearing the loss of their culture, the long season was fraught with controversy.  But then again, what’s Carnival without bacchanal?

"Rum is What We Want and Soca's What We Need"

"Rum is What We Want and Soca's What We Need"

What is Carnival without rum? The two go so well together that songs have been made touting this symbiotic connection. From Lord Invader’s “Rum and Coca Cola” to Machel Montano’s “Bottle of Rum,” there is no denying that rum is as integral to Trinidad’s history as soca is.

During my recent trip to the land of rum and soca, I toured The House of Angostura® in Laventille.

All Ah We Is We

All Ah We Is We

ARE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE LIVING ABROAD LOSING THEIR CULTURE?

In our first live-stream show, Garvey Campbell of Carnevale Network and I discuss the effect of the generational information gap on Caribbeans abroad. Stay tuned to my Flicks & Pics for more videos from our chats.

We Doin’ the Most

We Doin’ the Most

TOP 5 EVENTS OF 2018

2018 had some amazing moments! “Black Panther” blew away audiences around the world. Nicki Minaj and Cardi B. fought at the Harper’s Bazaar Icons party. Democrats took control of the House of Representatives. Buju Banton was released from prison! I mean, this was an epic year. In the soca world, we also had some iconic moments. Below are my top 5 events of 2018.

Soca, Soca is a Part of Me

Soca, Soca is a Part of Me

CAN BROOKLYN’S SOCA SCENE BE REVIVED?

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I am concerned about the state of the soca scene in Brooklyn. I believe that with the lack of venues and deejays opting to forego the 100% soca parties, the scene is on life support. However, Thanksgiving weekend gives me hope that there are those committed to reviving the soca fete experience.