Caribbean Buzz
BASS, The First DJ Turned Soca Artiste Was Instrumental in Getting Soca Played on HOT97 NYC.
Soca music has come a long way. For decades, the sound of Trinidad and Tobago’s prized cultural expression has been touted as the sound of the Caribbean, and for many of the other islands, the music is becoming a major part of their individual tourism attraction. In 1996, Trinidad and Tobago DJ, Adrian Hackshaw, best known as Third Bass, became the first DJ to dive into soca artistry. His first song was called, ‘J’ouvert Morning.’ “That song inspired 3 Canal to do ‘Blue’ the following year and it created an avenue for more songs dedicated to J’ouvert,” he said in an exclusive Ebuzztt interview.
Twenty – nine years later, Bass continues to unleash new Soca music. His contributions for 2026 include, ‘Take Jam’ and ‘Not For The Swift.’ Despite what seems like a never ending fight for equity across the airwaves, Bass has a lot to be grateful for. “I always wanted to be a DJ, artiste and to be on radio so I live my dream everyday,” he said.
For many operating in the Soca industry today, the 90’s experience is not something they can relate to. It was during the early 90’s that Machel Montano – now the King of Soca, would deliver songs like ‘Big Truck’ and ‘Big Phat Fish.’ Bass was around then and operated in a space that was growing. “In 1998, I put Edghill Thomas, now known as MX Prime on his first soca track with me. Back then he was known as Magga Dan and he was big on the dancehall circuit locally,” he highlighted. The song was called, “All Ah Dat in It.”
That year, Bass was introduced to Destra Garcia. She was a young, female singer who was singing RnB and Gospel music. “Her producer, Ken Holder, was working on what would be the first Soca riddim, coined the Pigtail Riddim, because of how ‘phat’ it sounded. I wrote the first song for Destra and I, which was called, ‘Just A Friend.’ That was 1999.”
The journey to where Soca music is today, isn’t a linear situation. It wasn’t built on the back of one person or one team. Bass, like many other creatives, has positively impacted the industry for many years, even while others have been celebrated loudly, and his humility has kept him largely unnoticed. “I spent some time in New York, where I was responsible for new soca getting played on Hot97. I met Bobby Konders and Massive B Sounds in 2001. They had a big reggae and Caribbean show that was reaching the entire TriState area. I asked them why they were still playing songs from the 90s,” said the entertainer. He said he was told that the major Soca distribution company, JW Records, had indicated that they would have to pay for the new Soca music. “Mind you, these guys got promos from all the big record labels back then. When I heard what was happening, I immediately went to JW Records on Church Avenue in Brooklyn, and I spoke with them. I explained to them what this opportunity could do for the music and I was able to take records to Bobby Konders and Jabba to play on Hot97FM,” said Bass. He highlighted that among the songs, were tracks like ‘Water Flowing’ from Machel Montano’s album ‘Here Comes The Band,’ and Iwer George’s ‘Carnival Come Back Again. “I was also asked to play the music since I was more familiar with it at that time.”
Soca music’s current global standing as a relatively new genre, has been one of tremendous grit and effort by many individuals – some seen and others behind the scenes. Many have remained committed to its development as a Trinbagonian creation, because it forms part of the cultural identity of Trinidad and Tobago’s people. Now, as more regional artistes tap into the market, opportunities for global appeal are certainly opening up, but it must never be forgotten that Soca music’s growth to where it stands today, was only made possible thanks to the dedication of people like Adrian Hackshaw who loved it from the heart and refused to see it sidelined.
NEW MUSIC
Caribbean Buzz
The Bar Is Being Set. Flowers All Inclusive to Up The Game in Point Fortin, This Weekend.
It’s a brand new concept being brought to life, in Point Fortin, however its impact, according to organizers, is already proving immense. The annual Point Fortin Borough celebrations, culminates this weekend and on Sunday, an event with a bigger purpose at heart, is anticipated to draw a massive crowd to fete, for the greater good.
Naya George and Anson George spoke exclusively with Ebuzztt.com ahead of the all inclusive experience. They’re excited to see their vision come to life. Anson, a well known name on the carnival and entertainment circuit, is known for his strong involvement in the BeachHouse Carnival brand. “It’s going to be on par with BeachHouse,” he assured, asserting ‘Flowers’ as the new ‘must attend’ fete in Borough Day festivities. “There are other events happening on Sunday in Point Fortin but there’s no other event of this caliber, happening,” said Anson, explaining that a few tickets are still available for those who still want to get in.
For Naya, the effort is less about business, and more about purpose. “We are partying with a purpose. We want to let people know that this isn’t just about feting. This is the only party that’s happening in Point Fortin that’s giving back to Point Fortin,” he explained, adding that proceeds will go toward investment in the young people. “The first set of projects will be at the Point Fortin West Secondary School where the event is being held. We are going to revitalize the sports programme, playing field restoration, sporting equipment and that kind of stuff, to ensure the youths have a place to find themselves in the area of sports. Flowers is the premiere fund raiser to do these things,” said George.
Set to welcome fete lovers from 5pm on Sunday at the Point Fortin West Secondary School, Flowers will feature a cast of talented artistes, inclusive of Nadia Batson and Lyrikal. “We want to raise fund in style and with high quality at heart, hence the reason the event’s caliber is high. This is going to be a first for Point Fortin,” said Naya George.
The Point Fortin Borough experience is widely attended, with a series of cultural events leading up to the weekend of excitement that is anticipated by locals and visitors alike, each year. “Flowers has set the tone for the Borough Day evolution I think,” said Naya George. “Fusion came to an end last night,” noted Anson. He said the cultural extravaganza, which was similar to Carnival’s Flava Village, was a huge success and noted the wide variety of cultural traditions, shared between April 25th and April 30th. “If people can jump on a plane to experience Grenada carnival, we are certain they can come from West and North Trinidad to enjoy the Point Fortin Borough activities,” said Anson, making it clear that ahead of the upcoming weekend, hotel and guest house occupancy is already high.
“Borough is like a second carnival,” said Anson. He said there are fetes happening throughout the day on Friday. “When you come, you get a taste of everything you get in carnival. You get the fetes, the all inclusive, the jouvert, the street food, the culture,” he highlighted, and this year, for the very first time, fans of culture, creativity and altruism, will fete with purpose at Flowers – a distinct, top tier, premium all inclusive experience in the heart of the borough.
Tickets for the event are available online at Stacy’s House Of Hair – Point Fortin, Atherley’s By The Park – San Fernando, Terminal 4 – Long Circular Mall and online at theticketgeneral.com.
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