While We Were Sleeping: SOCA!

Okay so, Last Time we told you about some of the more interesting Reggae and Reggae-ish projects that were released during our long time away and, as I said then, we'll probably get around to telling you about a few more that we missed at some point in the future as well. Today, however, we're going to take a look and a listen to some of my favourite and more interesting Soca songs that jumped and waved during that same time, while we were taking a nap. So, here're about fifteen songs which have , for one reason or another, impressed the hell out of me over the past five years or so. 

{Note: Songs appear in no particular order and were not written in the order they appear}

{Note 2: Will  probably do this again at some point also}

{Note 3: Post #1500 on this blog}

'Run Wid It' by Mr. Killa [2019]

Step 1: Grab something

Step 2: Pick it up

Step 3: Run with it

Mr. Killa did not care what it was that you picked up, nor was it at all important to him where you ran to after you picked it up. You could pick up an empty can. You and your friends could get together and pick up a car. While on your way to pick up that car with your friends, you could stop and pick up one of them. You could go to one of his shows and, as I've seen before, you could get on the stage..... and pick HIM up. It was not important. Just pick up something [anything] and run with it. Do it now. Thank you

{Note: This song was fucking dangerous!}

'Judgement Stage' by Patrice Roberts [2019]

From ever since her days spent as sidekick to Machel Montano, featuring alongside the superstar on such tunes as 'Band Of De Year', 'Tempa Wine', and the MASSIVE 'Rollin', what I have most wanted to hear from Patrice Roberts has been that single moment where she LOSES HER ENTIRE MIND! She's come close a few times, most notably with 2018's 'Sweet Fuh Days', but back in 2019, Patsy got in right with 'Judgement Stage'. I love her music. I love her more aggressive songs and her beautiful Groovy ones alike, but 'Judgement Stage' may've become the best one that I've heard from Roberts altogether. It was melodic. It was kind of angry. It was rough around the edges and it was gorgeous from beginning to end. I have literally spent hours at a time listening to NOTHING but this one. One of my favourite Soca songs ever. 

'Mad City' by MX Prime [2021]

I had forgotten all about this one and had to go back to the list and alter it (bumping out Iwer George and Kes in the process), because for the vast majority of last year, MX Prime's 'Mad City' was running right over me! The artist previously known as Maximus Dan linked with The Ultimate Rejects and produced this angry ass unforgettable moment which, though it may have lost some steam for me these days, once was a song I spent virtually every waking hour singing in my head in one way or another.

'Famalay' by Machel Montano, Bunji Garlin & Skinny Fabulous [2019]

I feel contractually obligated to mention 'Famalay' because, at least on paper, it may be THE single biggest song in the entire genre over the past decade or so. It's definitely in that discussion. The tune brought together Soca supernovas, Machel Montano, Bunji Garlin and Skinny Fabulous on the same damn tune. Previously Montano had worked with both artists and Skinny and Garlin would go onto do the maddening 'Reckless' afterwards, but 'Famalay', as its title would suggest, brought together three of the biggest names in the genre and they did not put a foot wrong. I've always thought that it was Garlin's star who shined the brightest here ["Well let me tell you one time: Family is family and that's different from bloodline"] amongst the three, but he alone did make it a winner as all three would show up properly in delivering the biggest tune of that year and almost any other year as well. 

'Not A Drill' by Muddy [2017]

In terms of people who weren't really on my radar at the start of our hiatus, Grenada's Muddy may actually be the best 'newcomer' over the last few years for me. He's had several really big songs that I've enjoyed over the last half-decade or so such as 'D.S.A.', Raging Bull', 'Madada' [MAD] and others, but my choice for his inclusion on this list (because he had to be here) was this TRULY ridiculous piece from five years ago, 'Not A Drill'.

"If you find I ignorant then you hit the nail on the head!"

If you and I meet and you come way thinking that I am a damn fool - RIGHT ON! You are correct sir/ma'am! I completely agree with you! We reward thoughts like that around here and, each and every year, I'm certain to keep an eye and an ear on what Muddy is up to.

'Brain Tun Off' by Lavaman [2017]

Leave it to the wholly one of a kind Lavaman to turn his brain completely off and find a way to be rewarded for it. Lavaman is one of those types who we may overlook in terms of his actual level of TALENT because his hype can be so overwhelming, but his 2017 cut of Wetty Beatz' Punch Bag Riddim, 'Brain Tun Off', demonstrated precisely what the Grenadian is capable of in the midst of some of the most infectious chaos consistently churned out in the genre (I'd also recommend 'I En Done' from 2017 as well). 

'Soca Saved My Life' by Destra [2019]

You know I had to include Destra in here somewhere. If you asked me my favourite Soca artist at this moment, I would probably say Skinny Fabulous (and that has probably been the case for.... maybe five or six years now really), but if you asked my favourite of all time - that distinction belongs to the diminutive fireball from out of Laventille, Trinidad, whose melodically masterful choas enhancers helped me in initially becoming a fan of a genre that has given me and my family SO much joy throughout the years (I grew up listening to Soca, but didn't really gain a taste for it until right when I entered adulthood basically). She's made a three or four songs that I have liked more than 'Soca Saved My Life' in recent times, but I choose to mention it over those (like 'Stage Party') (and 'NOW' with Nadia Batson) for its impact. While it didn't quite "save" my life, I would not want to imagine being without what is, by far, my favourite musical drug of choice... damn living, breathing adrenaline rush. 

'Geh Meh Mad' by Fay-Ann Lyons [2018]

Because she simply had to be here, for Fay-Ann Lyons' representative, I chose this MOODY, pulsing track from 2018, 'Geh Meh Mad', which was produced by veteran Keskeys. I don't know if would go as far as to call it one of the best songs she's ever done (that is saying a TON if you know what this woman has been up to for the last couple of decades or so), but what I will say is that from the very first time I heard it in late 2017 roughly, 'Geh Meh Mad' put me in a damn trance or something. It has this amazing hypnotic quality to it. Sit there and listen to it two or three times and you will find yourself kind of robotically singing along on the chorus

"..... geh meh mad

..... geh meh mad

..... geh meh mad

..... geh meh mad" 

Maybe that was the intention or just what happened with it, but 'Geh Meh Mad' was fucking dangerous! Do not listen to while operating machinery or holding a small child. 

'Lunacy' by Gabrielle [2018]

I didn't know much about Gabrielle Palandy when she dropped the seriously underrated 'Lunacy', a few years back... and I still don't know too much about Gabrielle, having heard very little from her (maybe just one song since this one, actually, and that was from just last year. 'Congo Gal', nice song). 'Lunacy' was just SO DAMN COOL with Gabrielle fully embracing and CELEBRATING the ridiculous side that is, at least hopefully, alive and thriving in us all. It definitely brought her to my attention and chances are you probably didn't hear it - now is a good time to become acquainted. 

'John Wick' by Skinny Fabulous [2021]

GRRR! 

A big credit definitely goes in the direction of Kay Frass Production and the larger than life Lavaman (who should be in here, somewhere, with a tune of his own), who is responsible for the blazing Legends Riddim which carried the latest in the line of equally GIANT, powerful tunes from my current favourite Soca star today, St. Vincent flamer, Skinny Fabulous, 'John Wick', which follows such unforgettably energized pieces as 'Head Bad', 'Duracell', 'Cave', 'Monster', 'Beast Leh Go', 'Di General', 'Mash Up International', 'Fyah Anthem', 'Godzilla', 'Scary' (which is my favourite), 'Ignorant', and others (DAMN!). If you love power Soca, Skinny Fabulous has probably done more for you than anyone besides.... well, I was about  to say Montano, but I think he's topped even the monk in recent times. 'John Wick' in particular was MADNESS! It was a beautiful piece of carnage just like the movies it was named after (they keep making the same movie over and over again, basically, but I thoroughly enjoy them).

"IF YOU DON'T WANT TO MOVE THEN YOU WILL GET TRAMPLED!

DO NOT FOLLOW US CAUSE WI IS BAD EXAMPLE!"

'Pieces' by Skinny Fabulous [2021]

If you've suffering from some type of cabin fever or pandemic blues over the past few years, you were most certainly not alone and Soca music, in full, was there for you - making several big tunes in observation of the moment. The biggest? It was probably Skinny Fabulous who swore to every one who could hear him that after "so long we've been waiting":

"THE FIRST PARTY WE TOUCH, IT AHGO MASH UP INNA PIECES!"

Not the most aggressive track on this list, but with Hunta Flow's fittingly middle of the road vibed Say When Riddim, 'Pieces' was as forecastingly DESTRUCTIVE as one could have hoped and I'm sure the man kept his word. 

'Into You' by Patrice Roberts [2020]

After Skinny Fabulous Patrice Roberts may just be my second favourite Soca artist going today (Fay-Ann would also have something to say about that as well) and she has come to that point largely based on a wonderful consistent ability to churn out SWEET Groovy masterpieces. While we were away she continued right along, business as usual, serving up DIAMONDS such as this wonderful track from 2019, 'Into You'. Precision Productions lent their delicious part old school Dancehall, part Soca riddim, the 10x Over to  the songstress and, in turn, she gave them a BEAUTIFUL song which, at least in my opinion, is one of her finest ever! That's saying a lot when you consider her catalogue, but 'Into You' was THAT good.

'The Struggle' by Bunji Garlin [2020]

Lest you ever forget just how lyrical Soca music can be and how it isn't just about jumping, waving and misbehaving, there will always be Bunji Garlin and he will always have performances like the Jus Now helmed 'The Struggle' from just a couple of years back (well, maybe not exactly like it. This one was special). 'The Struggle' was a mammoth chunk of GENIUS! It was so damn smart and, ultimately, has gone on to become one of my favourite Garlin songs from the last decade or so and maybe even ever. The tune was not only very lyrical, featuring downright immaculate wordplay, but it was pure, authentic Soca music. It wasn't Dancehall-ish or -esque or any of that shit. It featured Garlin with his incomparable wordy arsenal in full display in a way we have rarely, if ever, heard on a song before (I'm sure we have, the man has had some GEMS). 

'Savannah Grass' by Kes [2019]

While it was definitely difficult not to get lost in the buzz created by the mammoth 'Famalay' in 2019, one of the tunes which not only faired very well for itself but THRIVED during the time was this, in my opinion even stronger, effort from Kes, the downright STUNNING 'Savannah Grass'. The tune has topped the still mighty 'Wotless' from a few seasons back to become Kes' biggest hit to date (at least as far as I can tell) and with great reason: It was absolutely phenomenal. I know people (two in particular) who think 'Savannah Grass' is the greatest piece of Soca ever created -- by anyone, ever -- and while I couldn't quite go that far, such compliments are not totally outlandish for this instant classic.

'Hookin Meh' by Farmer Nappy [2019]

Woman. You are looking entirely too damn good and this food you just cooked tastes entirely too damn good for me us to break up. I'm sorry. I will do my best to improve as a man and make some changes... but, nope. We are not breaking up right now.

That is the sentiment behind this WONDERFUL track from underrated Trini star and one of Soca' most consistent acts, Farmer Nappy, 'Hookin Meh'. Riding the infectious Purple Heart Riddim courtesy of De Red Boyz and Country Life Music, 'Hookin Meh' became a definite winner from the Farmer in a career that, whether you realize it or not, is absolutely BRIMMING with hits of varying degrees. This was one for the vaults and a mighty task you'll undertake in trying to forget it (trust me, I just failed at forgetting it).