I along with the majority was expecting a pace chune from the first ever collaboration between Bunji and Machel. Then I heard "Buss Head". I waited. Waited because I figured that after we, the listeners/fans expressed what we've wanted and have waited for so many years, I was expecting a second chune. I mean, it's literally been over a decade that we've been waiting.
This interview explains in detail why "Buss Head" was the exact kind of chune that was necessary for their first collaboration and why Bunji was adamant about NOT singing a power chune. The explanation is not only deep but it's the truth.
There were many who thought upon hearing "Buss Head" that it was the wrong time. That it was promoting violence in the height of what seemed to be a killing spree and women being the target of murders in Trinidad but that's not what it was at all. "Buss Head" was actually what the country needed and it happened at just the right time.
I won't go into everything here, I will let you listen to the interview with these men yourselves and let you draw your own conclusion. Enjoy!
These are NOT my personal opinions but of carnival revelers that have sent their personal reviews via email. Should you like to send a review, that email is deecarnivalbaby@gmail.com.
Machel Monday One of my favorites...why .....well of course because Mr Montano is there. I usually attend this concert because it usually starts my carnival festivities. This is where I learn all the new music. ..not just from Machel. I will admit it is an extremely long show, however it is definitely worth my money. This year was extra special when Chinese laundry and signal to noise graced the stage. ....can I say bess!!!!!!! Now...like I said before..this show is extremely long.....so when I saw Mr Kernel Robert's rolling a piano on the stage...I was like...that's it...time to go..lol. All in all it was a great concert. Oh ...PS.....where was Lyrikal????
Tuesday on D rocks...Kes
Well lemme just say...this was a big difference from Machel Monday.....lol....why you say!!!
Well at Tuesday on the rocks...No one got searched to enter the fete...while at Machel Monday it was pat down for so. Moving long though. ..this year I chose this fete over Fallout...my usual Tuesday fete. I wanted a different vibe. I must say it was a great show...more laid back....and much cheaper than Mr.Montano's show. Performances were great..Kes was amazing. Will definitely be back next year. However I heard vale cooler fete that day was great....so we will see!!!
After all the buzz, the limited edition MoNK signature slipper went on sale and will only be available while supplies last. The slippers are being sold for $45 a pair in only the red color shown in the close up below. There is buzz that the slipper will be coming out in additional colors but I haven't gotten any confirmation on that and for some reason, I don't believe it. For all you Machel Montano, MM, HD, or MoNK Monte (or whatever he chooses to call himself) fans out there, hurry with your purchase as the slippers are reportedly moving quickly. The size chart is only in men's sizes, so ladies you'd order your slippers in whatever size you wear in MEN!
At exactly 10:30 pm Eastern Standard Time, BET posted the winners of ALL awards won at The Soul Train Music Award Show after it aired. Seeing either Bunji or Machel on the televised portion of the awards show wasn't an expectation of mine but I still watched the entire two and a half hour program.
The show was pretaped on November 8th, which means this news has been 'out of the bag' so to speak ever since. Everyone did an excellent job keeping the lid on it but with the airing of Bunji's "Differentology" on "Grey's Anatomy" on the 21st of November, it was all too clear who won the award (to me anyway). For those who missed the intro, here it is.
Congratulations are in order to both Machel Montano for being nominated and Ian "Bunji Garlin" Alvarez for being nominated and winning against four other contestants!
Congratulations are in order for 'Bunji Garlin' for his 2013 hit "Differentology" and Machel Montano for his 2013 "The Fog". This not only excites me because these two individuals are from 'home' but because it is showing me how far soca music has come. Soca music doesn't get the airtime nor respect as some of the other musical genres but slowly and surely is creeping into the mainstream. A decade ago soca music wasn't accepted in cultures other than that of Caribbean descent and to this day, it still has some who have no idea that soca music even exists. Both men have been working overtime to change that.
What worries me is this. The award will be given to who they think is deserving of the Best International PERFORMANCE. I believe Bunji to be a better lyricist HANDS DOWN but what are they looking at when they say PERFORMANCE? Have any of these people watched these men perform anywhere? Have they just glanced some YouTube videos? What makes them know who the better performer is? Is this something that the public votes on? Or is this something decided upon by a group of people in offices? Will all the politricks come into play? There is so much that concerns me about this award but hey, whether it's Bunji OR Machel. It's a huge win for the Soca community.
(YES, my confidence is high that it will be one of these men).
For the full listing of the Soul Train 2013 nominees you can click HERE
I haven't posted in months! I've lost the carnival 'feeling' so to speak. Things just haven't been feeling the same for me since I've made the decision to make carnival 2013 my last. Then comes this. Machels FOG grabbed my attention from the day it dropped and I've been hooked ever since. I couldn't wait to see the video and here it is!!!
I heard this collaboration and was like WTF?!?! These people? Together? Naahh!!!! Most of you already know me and know that I don't usually post anything concerning music on here because my initial feeling toward new releases is to dislike them. I don't know why but there's something about what the speakers do to me in a club/fete setting that either make or break a song for me. The computer, no matter how loud the volume is and with the bass up just doesn't do it for me and I can count how many tunes I've heard in the last few years that I fell in absolute LOVE with upon my first hearing. Now I did not fall in LOVE with this one but it definitely has my attention.
I guess Machel was fed up of the 'hate' and decided to speak out and literally challenge his competitors! I agree with what he's saying and I do feel that rather than people criticize his work, they should put pen to paper and come out with some FIRE!!!! Tunes like P.Y.F. was released extremely late yet was on the tip of the tongue of everyone I knew. Machel has the money it takes to promote his shit unlike many of the less fortunate artists. Take for instance Swappi, Benjai, FayeAnn and Bunji (just to name a few). Each artist had Road March worthy tunes but then you have Machel with his power house, his minions, his rags.....There were pink P.Y.F. rags ALL OVER TRINIDAD for carnival. *Retarded me didn't catch on til carnival weekend INSIDE Insomnia fete, it hit me like a ton ah bricks when this woman was throwing the rags into the crowd right before Machel performed. All in all, I think to make money you have to have money. Money to promote yuh shit. For Soca Monarch 2011, (wont speak of 2012 cause I haven't see it) all the antics Machel had as part of his performance, who could compete with that? *His dancers looking as though they were flying in, out and about the crowd and the stage. At the end of the day, its a competition and its not about the song alone, its about the PERFORMANCE and that's what some people don't get. I boycotted and hated carnival and Machel for 2011 because I was missing it due to pregnancy. I wanted him and everyone else to lose EVERYTHING last year, all because I choose to make a baby lol but after seeing his performance, I an all had to give it to him. Competitors CAN NOT come into the 'ring' expecting to just WIN because the chune nice or is liked/supported by the crowd. Machel showing dem they have to come an work for it! Read the entire article HERE
So I guess now that the responses have been 'mixed' about Machel's P.Y.F. for Road March, a plan B was orchestrated or maybe it was the plan all along. I don't know, but according to the press release that was issued yesterday there are three versions of the same blasted song. It almost feels like they're trying to force people into liking at least one? Whether it was or wasn't the original plan, Machel Montano has a vision with this one, he is head strong, he is sticking to his word, he is not backing down and he will be pushing this for Road March no matter what people may think of his P.Y.F.
OK. Now I've listened to 'Pump Yuh Flag' for some days and have marinated on it........ -__- Is it me? Im not at all impressed. I had quite some time to listen to this 'leaked' Power Soca chune and I hope that it was released this early because he has more to go! It's been rumored that he has 2 more to go *and I pray TO GOD he does because right about now, Im only feeling the groovy from Machel. But hey, I didn't like ADVANTAGE either but that quickly changed. *For a lot of different reasons of course but the Soca I dont automatically LOVE, has to grow on me, I need to hear it on a mix tape, some big speakers but this 'Pump Yuh Flag'..............seems so primitive to what Machel has become. With all the soca he's written and sang, he gone back to rag pelting? Steups.
So, while on twitter last night, I saw that Machel Montano announced that he would be releasing a brand new 2012 soca at 12 midnight. I didn't think I was going to stay awake to hear anything especially with all the food that was riding my chest from Christmas but then I got the email on my phone at 11:01pm. The email of the new release. That made me realize that it was midnight Trinidad time. So I did the expected and RAN for my laptop and downloaded the chune. I listened to it and just like ALL the others with the exception of Congo Man and Jumbie, I didn't like it. That's just me though, I need to hear a song quite a few times before it starts to grow on me. Listen below and YOU decide if you like it yourself.
As of now, the first 'fete' that Machel will be performing for is ISLANDpeople's YEAH! Hope all those in attendance have a time! No worries there cause ISLANDpeople know how to throw a party. Since we're on the topic of ISLANDpeople, rumor has it that Machel has changed his normal band of choice for the road. Hmmmmm......he normally plays with IP. Even if he is with TRIBE on Monday he is still seen in IP come carnival Tuesday and they're never completely left out. I don't know this rounds nah, that could be yet ANOTHER carnival rumor. I'm hoping that's all it is, a rumor and not a Fantasy.
I have been waiting for approximately 2 weeks to be able to see this video. This video had the soca community of South Florida in a frenzy. DJ Victorious gave me a call and told me to hurry up and come down to this video shoot. When I did get there being in the video was the absolute last thing on my mind. It was in Miami and for those of you who have no idea, Miami is surrounded by water and contrary to popular belief, GETS COLD!!!! This video took ALL DAY and I must certainly commend those who had the diligence to stand, dance, drink, wine, basically fete an enjoy themselves, most of all - be in half naked costumes in that cold. I went to sleep in the truck. Video that.
All in all, I'd like to give Victorious a little shout for being the featured DJ in the video. It was also refreshing to see another SOCA video out there of a 'better quality' (for a lack of words) besides Machel you know? Not taking anything from Machel because he is definitely a master at what he does but so is Kerwin. Kerwin, like so many other Caribbean artists (not only the soca ones) don't get enough credit for their talent or accomplishments. Kerwin did his thing. Nice video, check it out!
