Ebuzz News
Maryland is Delivering A Wave of Soca Ecstasy, Led By Team ‘Holli.’ THIS IS WILD.
Caribbean people all over the world are in tune to the sound and vibe of Soca music and all that comes along with it. While in Trinidad and Tobago, Soca still struggles to get first place status across the airwaves, a team of twenty-something year- olds in Maryland have found that there’s so much curiosity for the genre and its accompanying festivities among generation Z entertainment seekers in their neck of the woods, that they’ve launched an all-Soca radio station, online.
Andre Noreiga and his diverse team that includes a few other 1st generation West Indians, including two of his friends from Queen’s Royal College in Trinidad, have been heavily involved in the promotion of J’ouvert in Maryland. The Holli J’ouvert brand is exclusively theirs and its now expanding to include Holli Radio- this of course, on the heels of their YouTube Channel that’s been pretty hands on in teaching those out there who’ve been seeking clarity on everything that’s part and parcel of the Carnival festival. “On YouTube, the aim is to create different series to explain the different aspects of our culture, so the first series was the ‘Carnival Ready’ series that pretty much answered a lot of the questions that second generation West Indians would have,” said Andre.
He and his team have been very observant of the appreciation shown by many children of first-generation Caribbean people – those folks who would’ve migrated to the US, and started a family there. “We realized how interested many of them were after we hosted our first Holli J’ouvert, but they also had a lot of questions. They were unsure of how they should dress, they asked whether they should bring chairs and stuff like that so with the YouTube series, a lot of those kinds of questions were answered,” he explained. Andre said the team even offered a wining tutorial within the YouTube series and also catered to questions surrounding acceptable cultural behaviour.
When it comes to Soca music, Andre admits that migrating to the US led to an increased appreciation for the music of his homeland.. “When I came here, my love for Soca grew, and I think that’s the case with a lot of people in the Diaspora,” he said, telling Ebuzztt that this was exactly why the team decided it was time for an all-soca radio station that everyone- no matter what city, state or country they’re in, could have access to. “Holli Radio is already live online. Soca music lovers can download our app from the App store or the Google Play store,” he confirmed.
Essentially living, walking protectors of the culture, the Holli team has taken on the challenge of educating while entertaining. Their plan is multidimensional, with an overall aim of marketing Soca music and the carnival culture to folks who may never have even heard about it. Now, with the launch of their digital radio platform, the Holli team is one step closer to making this hope, a reality.
For more on the Holli J’ouvert brand , check out them out on Instagram and don’t forget to download the Holli Radio app in the App store or Google Play store, today! For even more, visit the Holli Network and check out their YouTube channel.
Caribbean Buzz
$1 Million Up for Grabs In New Ultimate Soca Champions Competition.
Trinidad and Tobago is set to stage a revamped International Soca Monarch competition in what is now dubbed The Ultimate Soca Champion competition. The event’s final will be staged on Thursday, February 20th, with the semi final round set for Sunday, February 9th. The announcement was made earlier today by organisers, at a media conference held at Queen’s Hall, Port of Spain.
The organisers said the competition will not be split into Groovy/Power categories, however they said there will be special prizes for Best Groovy Soca, Best Power Soca and People’s Champion, based on public votes.
The event will feature the Ultimate Soca Champion reality TV show which organizers say is aimed at giving viewers an intimate look into the competition. “We believe this will help our culture to reach international audiences when packaged properly,” the team said.
In-Person Auditions will take place on Saturday, January 25th, 2025 at 9:00 AM at the Fernando Academy of the Performing Arts (SAPA). Regional/ International Artistes who are not in Trinidad and Tobago, are required to submit video auditions from January 20th at 8:00am to January 26th at 11:59pm.
“We aim to make this a production that captivates
audiences worldwide,” said Rome. “The Ultimate Soca Champion Competition will not only
elevate soca to international standards but also inspire the next generation of artistes.”
For registration, submission guidelines, and updates, visit ultimatesocachampion.com from Monday January 20th, or email ultimatesocachampion@gmail.com.
Music News
Problem Child, Bunji Garlin, Skinny Fabulous Ride New ‘Powerful’ Riddim. 47 Productions Eyes Road March.
There’s another big project coming out of Dwayne Bravo’s 47 Productions in Port-of-Spain, and just like the Pineapple Riddim last month, it features some big names in Soca music.
The Viking of Soca, Bunji Garlin, Grenada’s Skinny Banton, Skinny Fabulous and Problem Child- both St. Vincent and the Grenadines entertainers, grace the ‘Powerful Riddim’- described as a heart-pounding, adrenaline-packed Power Soca riddim that’s guaranteed to light up every fete the season, even with potential for the Road March.
Bunji Garlin deliver’s ‘On De Go’ – a high-octane single that celebrates vibes and undiluted energy, while on Skinny Fabulous’ ‘Like We Rich,’ elements of a grandeur lifestyle, inclusive of living large, partying hard and embracing the high life, are showcased in song. The Vincy BadBoy, Problem Child is also a part of this project with a track called, “Not Behaving,’ undeniably living up to his name. Other artistes on the riddim are Grenadian duo, Lil Natty and Thunda who share their energy with, ‘Wah Dis,” and skinny Banton with ‘Property.” Tommy Sanchez wraps it up, adding a fresh, new vibe with his single, ‘Bend.’
The riddim is being touted as the ultimate soundtrack for the road on Carnival Monday and Tuesday and comes just as Soca megastar, Machel Montano has released, ‘Pardy,’ already getting the nod of approval from die-hard Machel fans.
While the race to the annual Road March anthem of choice in still quite a distance away, several people have already begun the conversation about what’s best for the road. Mical Teja’s ‘Energy’ and ‘Higher Power’ offer masqueraders an infectious, positive energy for the road, while Bunji’s ‘Thousand’ hits hard, delivering high impact and bassy undercurrent that’s hard to ignore.
47 Productions has been strongly contending on the music scene in Trinidad and Tobago in recent years. This year’s Pineapple Riddim, which features, Machel Montano, Lyrikal, Patrice Roberts, Rupee and 47Ronzy, has been well received, with Machel Montano applauding Bravo’s consistency, even as someone invested behind the music scene. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this Carnival season while 47 Productions continues to create space for others to rise,” Bravo had said, at the launch of the riddim in December.
The “Powerful Riddim” is now available on all major streaming platforms.
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Music News1 week agoThe Power of People. Rae Credits Motto, Darryl Gervais for Her Rise in Soca. Delivers ‘Throw Waist.’
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Caribbean Buzz5 days ago$1 Million Up for Grabs In New Ultimate Soca Champions Competition.
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Music News5 days agoProblem Child, Bunji Garlin, Skinny Fabulous Ride New ‘Powerful’ Riddim. 47 Productions Eyes Road March.