Spice MAD 2024

Okay so, in case you did not pay any attention (and you probably did not) to the Carnival season in Grenada this year, I just wanted to let you know that you screwed up. You made a mistake, but I still love you and I have your back. Spice Mas this year produced some TRULY big tunes and, because your missed out, I thought that we'd catch you up on some of the biggest of them all from some of the island's (and Soca's, in general) most talented stars. Here is a very brief look back at one of the best seasons of music that Grenada has had, in my opinion, in quite a few years: Spice Mas 2024.

'Sweet Home' by Boyzie

First up is a tune that actually took home some hardware this year as someone who I've always wanted to spend more time talking about (going to have two opportunities today and the that was a pretty large part of the motivation to do this feature) did what he always does and scored a big hit that would net him his second consecutive Groovy Monarch crown in Grenada. The ever-talented "Mad Ras", Boyzie, charted with delightfully patriotic 'Sweet Home' via the Oil Down & Saraca Riddim from Xpert Productions. Boyzie may not be as heavily appreciated in the genre at its highest levels that his gifts would seem to merit (the man can literally do it all) as is evidenced by this song contrasted to the very next one that I'm going to tell you about. That being said, however, if you are fortunate to know who he is and have heard his work, you know exactly the flame that burns there. 'Sweet Home' was a tune like many that you've heard before, giving honour to the most beautiful region on the planet, but it has RARELY sounded this sweet and it came through absolutely effortlessly from a genuine reigning master of the genre.

'Chaotic' by Boyzie

To my opinion, Boyzie is even better in the Power category of Soca music and although he wouldn't take home the Power Monarch win this year (gonna tell you who did win it in just a minute), the multiple time Power champion (personal favourite of mine being 'Mas Everywhere' from about a decade ago) (I could name about five others on that same level, easy) ["CALL THE AMBULANCE! CALL THE FIRE BRIGADE!"] did show up in a major way with the HUGE 'Chaotic'. This tune is exactly what you want from a powerful modern Soca track. It's addictive. It's emotional. It's kinda pissed off at something and it displays all of that while MAINTAINING A MELODY. You can jump up to 'Chaotic' you can... take your clothes off (or someone else's). You can do a variety of stuff which may or may not be very important at all and that is the point: There is no point. It is a celebration of a feeling and if you feel have something on your mind that you're looking to burn off, 2024, as a whole, produced very few finer moments than 'Chaotic'.

"THEY FEEL LIKE I JOKING WITH THEM, WHEN I CATCH THEM IT'S OVER!"

'Different Levels' by Tallpree

Of course, it wouldn't count as an actual trip to Greenz without checking in on the incomparable Tallpree. This season the veteran mined DIAMONDS with his big tune, 'Different Levels', which (by the slightest of margins), was my favourite overall from Spice Mas 2024. To my opinion, there's a certain sound that Grenada Soca has. It is not refined AT ALL (Machel Montano and Destra you will not find) but there's kind of this GORGEOUSLY rugged sound at the core of its appeal and charm (think of people like Lavaman (whose tune I may or may not put in here and Lednek). If you want a perfect example of that, listen to 'Different Levels'. 'Different Levels' is FILTHY. It's intoxicating. It's beautiful and for someone like Tallpree, who has spent AGES making big tunes, it's one of the best he's done in recent times.... at least.

I wanted to come back and mention that though I lack the musical... technical knowledge to describe it - There is one part of 'Different Levels' that just makes it downright MAGICAL. I think it is a keyboard sound it's the one that you hear constantly but it isn't necessarily LOUD and it often gets overpowered. THAT! Whatever the hell THAT is.... DAMN! 

'Not From Here' by Lavaman

Biggup Travis World, the mastermind (biggup Mastermind) Lavaman's very cool 'Not From Here'. There's a BOUNCE behind this tune (you can hear it right at the beginning and then it remains back there) which almost gives 'Not From Here' an old school Dancehall sound and then laid atop it is this stunning tropical blend which professional chaos creator, Lavaman uses to OFFICIALLY declare something that we've all known for years: He ain't like the rest of us.

'The Tape' by Dash

Lastly, the big winner of Spice Mas 2024 was Dash who captured both the Power Soca Monarch title as well as Road March and did so on the strength of the same tune.

"About four o'clock in di morning, I hear my door knock and I'm wondering who's that

'WE HAVE A WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST!'

I SAY, 'WHO ME?'

HE SAY 'YES!'

Are you sure?

Yes it's you

What I do?

HE SAY 'MASH UP PEOPLE PARTY AND THE VENUE!'

Man ah steups and ah sigh

Since when that is a crime?

Evidence build up high

They say 'the tape it doesn't lie!'"

Dash comes from the same school of making Soca as the great Bunji Garlin. HIGHLY lyrical he produces these GEMS and although I was surprised by the success that 'The Tape' would net him, it was because of the style of the tune. It does not SOUND like a Power Monarch winner or a Road March.... BUT IT IS LETHAL. 

It's. The Most. Wonderful Time. Of The Year!

In case you haven't noticed (you poor, poor soul), it is late in the year and that MAGICAL time where Soca music begins to bubble and blossom as some of the genre's biggest stars begin unloading their arsenals for the forthcoming Carnival season. What happens, in good years is, despite the fact that most artists will wait a few weeks or so to release their absolute biggest tracks, we still get some very good early shots and this year, things are looking bright! I thought I'd take a minute and tell you about a few of my personal early favourites from Carnival 2024 which, if what we've heard thus far is any indication, is looking GOLDEN. Let's go.

'Anxiety' by Patrice Roberts

First up is a tune that I've told you about previously but, in a MOST UNFORTUNATE way, it's taken on an entire new life and also it does remain the single most beautiful piece of work that I've heard thus far. 'Anxiety' is the latest gem from Soca supernova, Patrice Roberts. WONDERFULLY it deals with subjects such as mental health and the overall strength of Soca music and what it does for the masses. If you do not recall or have not heard, last week we lost Ricardo Drue, who transitioned unexpectedly. Drue and Roberts were engaged and, because of that, and just due to the fact that it is absolutely fantastic, 'Anxiety' has become even more powerful and such a noteworthy song not only for Roberts and Drue, but for the entire genre going into 2024. Obviously you don't want to have such circumstances 'fueling' any release of any kind, but even prior to this, 'Anxiety' had the wheels to carry such a heavy weight. It is absolutely fantastic. 

'Devotion' by Destra

I'll name you others (including almost everyone in this same post), but make no mistake about it: My favourite Soca artist is and has always been the divine Destra and she has come out for Carnival 2024 blazing on the power of the typically brilliantly chaotic 'Devotion'. This tune is downright exhausting! IT WILL WEAR YO ASS OUT! This action movie of a song easily ranks amongst Destra's finest from any season in recent memory and I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for the season (check another nice set she had not too long ago by the name of 'Rosie'. Very nice song). 

'Big Stage' by Skinny Fabulous & Olatunji

No post such as this one could be incomplete without the inclusion of Vincy blowtorch, Skinny Fabulous who has three or four new tunes about already and the best of them, to my opinion is 'Big Stage' which finds 'Godzilla' linking with Olatunji in a big way. This one actually took a bit of time to grow on me. There's sort of a unique progression to 'Big Stage', if you allow yourself to get into it. They're talking about being kids and experiencing the vibes and being bitten by that bug and how, as not only adults but adults who actually make the music, that experience has changed. The tangible result of that in terms of sound is a BEAUTIFULLY moody selection which ramps up and down in intensity throughout making for, perhaps subtly, one of the most distinctive tracks I've heard in a minute. 

'TGIM' by Lil Natty & Thunda

Speaking of distinctive tracks, take a listen to 'TGIM' by surging Grenadian duo Lil Natty & Thunda. The pair have given me a number of personal favourites in recent times such as 'Top Striker', 'Get In Your Section' and 'The Ambush' just last year (or this year, technically) and they're adding to the lot in 2024 with this offering. You've heard of people celebrating Friday as it ushers in the weekend where, presumably, you might not have to work and can go out and enjoy yourself. Natty & Thunda, on the other hand, are lifting it up for Monday, because who cares! 

"THANK GOD IT'S MONDAY!

AND IT'S CARNIVAL SOMEWHERE!" 

Remember everyone: Be thankful for every moment you have because IT IS CARNIVAL SOMEWHERE!

'Richter Scale' by Fay-Ann Lyons

You knew she was coming. Aza Sefu's early efforts have been outstanding as you would expect (because they always are) and my favourite by the slimmest of margins (with respect to 'Miss Bitch') is PROBABLY 'Richter Scale'. Despite its ridiculous energy, 'Richter Scale' is fairly straight forward in its... absolute madness and it also has a more visual quality to it. You get a picture of Lyons performing 'Richter Scale' in your head and the lack of common sense it will inspire. 

"When wi pull up - well everything start break"

Everything will break and it will be fun!

'Miss Bitch' by Fay-Ann Lyons

Okay, so I kept listening to it and.... maybe 'Richter Scale' isn't better of the two. So, in order to offer you your own opportunity to make a decision, here's FAL's other great tune from the season thus far, 'Miss Bitch'. Unlike 'Richter Scale', this drop is a bit more spiraling and it goes in several different directions. What stand out, however, is the overall sound and lyrics. Backed by the golden Do You Riddim courtesy of DJ Avalanche, Lyons is sure to remind all to THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK to her. 

"I doh care how you feel about

I doh care what you think about

Just doh let it come out yuh mouth"

'Carnival Day' by Voice & Patrice Roberts

I wasn't going to mention this one but, to be fair, by all registerable levels and qualities that I use to measure how good a song is, 'Carnival Day' has it to spare. EASILY one of the finest tracks that I've heard thus far, Voice and the aforementioned Roberts come together to produce what HAS to be considered an early favourite for Road March.

'Carnival Contract' by Bunji Garlin

And then there's the boom.

"MI AND CARNIVAL HAVE A CONTRACT: EVERY YEAR WI GO HARD LIKE NAIL

I ON DE ROAD WID TRUCK BIGGER THAN HUMPBACK WHALE"

I do want to say that while I do expect something madder from reigning TnT Road March king, Bunji Garlin (and you could well say that THE tune that will receive the biggest push might be 'Forward', but I think he goes even further than that), I am just as confident in saying that whatever it turns out to be will lack the overall RIDICULOUSLY EFFORTLESS LYRICAL ASSAULT that comes in the form of 'Carnival Contract'. 

"I tell my wife, I love your vibe and you should come along

She send invites to all wi likes, now wi bout forty strong"

Also, produced by one (two, actually) Banx & Ranx, there is something about the beginning bounce of 'Carnival Contract' which every so faintly reminds me of a tune called 'Get On' by Garlin's wife, the aforementioned Sefu; literally one of the greatest songs of all time. In a class like that, it has to be top notch as Bunji Garlin, once again, SCORCHES.

The Morning Rise Riddim

The Morning Rise Riddim

1. 'Rate You' by Anthony B

2. 'Doom to Die' by Luciano

3. 'Mama Bella' by Lutan Fyah

4. 'We Ah African' by Black Queen

5. 'You Need the Doctor' by Tallpree

6. 'We Gonna Party' by Kongquez Golden

Okay so, I thought I'd just bring to your attention a very cool recent release courtesy of a label that I do not think I've ever heard of and one which I've definitely never written about as one Golden Quest Empire has delivered the Morning Rise Riddim. When I first heard just a bit of the Morning Rise, I thought it may've been an African track and, after doing the research, I've come to see that the creator, GQE, has a very diverse background, so that may've actually been what they were going for directly. Apart from that, what also gripped my attention was the peculiar lineup of vocalists here. If you have one riddim and it has Luciano, Anthony B and Lutan Fyah on it, that's something I'm most likely going to want to hear and I wouldn't be surprised if you don't already a couple of dozen or so (if not more) sets like that.... but then you add in.... oh, I don't know, let's just say TALLPREE [WHAT!] as well, then you have something different entirely. Also present are Kongquez Golden (who may be the person behind GQE (BE CAREFUL about going through Kongquez Golden's catalogue, there's at least one very large misstep there that I just found) and a Black Queen who may want to think about getting a more Google-friendly name (biggup Agent Sasco), neither of whom shine here (Black Queen's song, 'We Ah African', isn't bad, but it is quite awkward in my opinion). To my opinion it's Luciano who steals the proverbial show with his lovely 'Doom To Die'. 

Looking for something a little different these days? Maybe check out the Morning Rise Riddim from Golden Quest Empire.... just thought I'd let you know.... going to bed now. 

'A Stiff Jab': A Review of The Massanto Riddim

Were you to simply look at things from more of a global and ‘mainstream’ point of view you might not come away with a similar thought but, in my opinion, the last few years have been very good for the exposure of Soca music. Despite the lack of a presence of an ‘outer-national’ reaching face such as a Kevin Lyttle or a Rupee in recent years, the music has seem to collectively take a step forward in securing its rightful place as one THE main musical attractions the Caribbean has to offer. Not only that, but I’m fairly confident that we are currently enjoying some type of ‘golden era’ in the music, with many of the greatest champions in the history of the still very young genre being full in the middle of their respective primes. If were to get into more specifics, you’d notice that clearly this energizing of this, the most energetic of musical art forms, has sweepingly affected more than just the music’s traditional home, Trinidad. At home, however, things are as great as ever with artists such as Machel Montano, Destra, Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons arguably being either directly in or very near their prime years of efficacy. These are names to which all of forthcoming Soca history will be compared - No doubt about it. We can look in other directions as well and see similar levels of fruitfulness in the music. How long will we go on before a young, dynamic and wordy up and comer from out of St. Vincy (male or female actually) WON’T be compared to Skinny Fabulous? The fireball who may not have even reached his best years as of yet has already established himself, outwardly, as THE name of Soca music from out of the region and he’s currently making LARGE strides elsewhere as well and is one of the most recognizable and respected Soca names from outside of Trinidad. The same thing can be said of Ricky T in St. Lucia, although competition has now arrived, and in Barbados, things go without saying with Alison Hinds, Edwin Yearwood and the likes still producing potently popular vibes. Everywhere! Antigua, Guyana, Dominica, the BVI (hey Jalena!) - Soca music has been well firm over the past couple of years or so. But it isn’t just Soca music, in the broadest sense of the word. Different aspects of the music and ‘subgenres’ have also been on rises and perhaps none so much as the ridiculous rise of Grenada’s infectious Jab Jab.

'She Want More' by Romain Virgo

The source of the reinstatement of the Jab Jab on the outward level (in Grenada they remain, CONSTANTLY, jabbing the hell out of one another each and every year) can likely be traced to the doors of Island Traffic Entertainment who, in 2009 instituted and orchestrated the ’era’ of the Gutter Riddim which took over the entire Soca listening world from head to toe. That riddim birthed several hits and even birthed remixed hits (check ‘Weed’ by Vybz Kartel) and was just a dominant piece. And just this year, one could make the argument that a Jab Jab gave a second wind to the career of Trinidad Soca legend, Iwer George (coming from someone who isn’t a fan of Iwer’s I admit), following a couple of seasons or so of less than stellar output (again, not an Iwer fan and I had personally written him off prior to this year). His song, ’Come To Meh’ was definitely one of the biggest hits of Trinidad Carnival 2011, I know many people much smarter than I am who thought that it was THE single biggest shot of the year and it would net George a second place finish at Soca Monarch which so many people thought should have been a full on victory. The song, lyrically, somewhat addressed the popularity of the vibes and once again brought the Jab Jab to center stage. Also, there were others Jab Jab hits at Trinidad Carnival this year. The international representative of the music, Tallpree (more on him later), checked in with ‘Lighters’ (which I think I’m starting to like more and more these days for some reason) which did pretty well also. And I do feel inclined to mention that, in 2010, there was a MIGHTY piece of riddim called the Jab Jab Chant which was pretty big regionally and found its way on just about EVERY Soca mixtape I ever got from Grenada (and still does). I mention that riddim because it had a tune by the name of ’Never Tell Her’ from Boyzie which has joined me on my morning workouts for the better part of a year.

So, perhaps with this entire sudden explosion of recognition of the musical Jab Jab, Island Traffic Entertainment, quite randomly, has chosen to digitally push their own 2010 effort, the Massanto Riddim. In 2009, the label did the same with the aforementioned Gutter Riddim (which was released twice digitally and also on CD) (told you it was big deal) and for ”No Control: Spice Mas 2K9 Soca Hits”, which was a general mixed riddim set from Grenada Carnival 2009. In my opinion, both of these were very good things as the digital shelves certainly aren’t packed with Soca in general and are damn near NUDE of Grenada Soca and particularly CURRENT Grenada Soca. In the case of the Massanto, while not reaching the levels of the Gutter, one could make a strong case that it’s just as good as or even better than its older ‘sibling’. The riddim also seemed to focus more and more on up and comers, some surprises and Grenadian talents. So, although it did lack in the top names such as Garlin, Lyons, Skinny Fabulous and Problem Child, who all took on the Gutter, the Massanto carried a few big names, a few very unusual names and a healthy lot of names which aren’t (YET) household titles in the Soca world. Most importantly still, it even further helps to take the Jab Jab to the rest of the world so, in a few years when the rest of Earth is as completely consumed with Soca as you and I, perhaps a release like this will shift more than a little attention in the direction of Grenada. Let’s see why!

'Irie' by Monsoon

This riddim seems, although definitely KNOCKING, seems to be slightly ‘lighter’ than the Gutter. It comes through as just a bit more frantic and chaotic, as opposed to appearing to be musically trying to sledgehammer the listener across the head (and I, personally, have a problem with neither style). It’s because of that, perhaps, that even sans some of the bigger names, this set ends up working quite nicely by its end. As I said, the riddim supported some quite surprising acts and one of the first and most impressive to decorate the already very colourful Massanto Riddim from Island Traffic Entertainment is Monsoon with ‘Irie’. I don’t actually remember this tune, so it’s brand new to me as is the concept of Monsoon, a Jamaican artist who we first ran into last year on Itation’s Ifficial Riddim last year. On that riddim he served up an eye-opening tune and he does the same here. Monsoon is a Reggae artist but he shows his versatility on this tune, one of the most infectious on a project full of contagious vibes. There’s also Lloyd D Stiff, with whom I am vaguely familiar and who offers another tune which is new to me ‘Push It Back’. This song is more stereotypical Soca-ish than is ‘Irie’, but it’s a decent wining song. I don’t like how he gets into the direct instruction type of style (which works far better in concert than on record) but, the song doesn’t suffer too much because of it. ‘Nuh Watch We’ comes from the biggest Jamaican name to voice the Massanto, the always interesting Natalie Storm. Here, it takes awhile to really get going but, by the time the second verse rolls in, you can see that Storm has hit her stride and she offers up one of the greatest flowing (in the Dancehall sense, of course) moments that the riddim has to offer (and speaking of Jamaicans on the Massanto Riddim, Romain Virgo also had a song for the riddim, 'She Want More', which isn’t on the album, predictably).

'Work You Bady' by Sharrie Jones

Livingston Pierre is a name which I believe I first heard just in the last year or so (he also had a big tune on the previously mentioned Jab Chant Riddim by the name of ’Rip Up’) and his song here, ‘Yes I Can’, leads an impressive cast of names you might need to know in the future. At least on my copy, the vocals are a bit muffled, but the chorus here proves to be an opponent you cannot beat in the fight to get it out of your fucking head! We also have CUTIE, Sharrie Jones, with ‘Work You Bady’. This song doesn’t do much in terms of surprising or setting itself apart from the pack and I have heard better material from Jones in the past (check the SWEET ‘Comes Along’ from 2010) but, do keep an eye on Jones (LITERALLY, she’s beautiful) in the future because she has big talent. There’s also the Reggae-ish Little Natty with the one of a kind Soca-ish ‘You Wood’. Laced with innuendos, Natty does impress on the track and maybe we can get him to look more towards doing more and more Reggae in the future because it appears here (and in the few other instances that I’ve heard his music) that it’s where he does really excel.

And then we move onto the people who you really expect to vibe the Massanto Riddim and some of the bigger names as well who, at least in my opinion, make up the real class tunes on the track. First up is the gaining Vybz International who tells us about the non-active likes who go to the ‘Fete’, seemingly only to watch others have a good time.

“You come out to fete
You say you come out to fete
So wah you doing standing there?
My yute - You nah ready yet?”

I really do enjoy his song (and Vybz, in general, has this very rough type of style which seems like he’s still in the midst of perfecting and should he ever get it completely right, he may be a star someday) and it’ll be a large disappointment if he doesn’t have a big career ahead of him. The same could be said for Zee 1 who chases his big tune on the Gutter Riddim, ‘Slave’, with another large effort, the very clever ‘Reception’. Here, we find Zee metaphorically linking his love life (and potential love life) with his cellular phone activities on one of the Massanto’s best.

“I have a slide up
You have a flip
So when I call you gal -
Answer me quick!”

“I use my BlackBerry to call Shelly
I use my Samsung to call June
I use my LG to call Steffi
I use my Nokia to call Sophia”

Trini lyrics machine, Ms. Alysha, is also back from the Gutter Riddim, this time with ‘Wine It’. Ostensibly, there’s nothing very special about this tune at all, but when you place something in the most frenetic and dramatic hands of Alysha, you can take a pretty mediocre tune and stereotypical one and have something which sounds like anything but, as he skill, when even the slightest motivated, is so damaging. And, speaking of damaging females, the final vocal effort on the Massanto Riddim album comes from Grenadian veteran, Sugar Jay, who declares that ‘We Ready’. Anytime Sugar Jay is involved with ANYTHING, it immediately gets better, she is absolutely delightful. Here, her song, although not her greatest, shows some nice flexibility in her skills. The woman can deejay, she can SING, she can do anything and more of her is a good thing, just in general. The Inspector also makes an appearance on ‘Last Year’, a song which has grown on me considerably from the first time I heard it. It’s still not ranking as a favourite of mine but, you may want to ask me about that in a month or so. And, of course, you can’t have a Jab Jab without Tallpree who follows the ‘Wicked Jab’ with the ‘Puppet Dance’. Again, it’s not his best work (although it was a hit, but pretty much anything Tallpree does these days is a hit) but, I do feel inclined to say the re-rise of the Jab Jab has brought Tallpree back to his rightful place as one of the most respected veterans in all of Soca music and that is wonderful.

'Ah Must Bathe' by Lavaman

The finest two songs on the Massanto Riddim, to my opinion, also come from two veterans in the music. The first is ‘Ah Must Bathe’ from the . . . TRULY INCOMPARABLE Lavaman. I can’t think of anyone more polarizing amongst Soca hardcore heads (with the possible exception of maybe Machel Montano) than the ridiculous Lavaman. I’m more on the positive side; he’s clearly insane (No Behaviour!) (NONE!) and in his business, that’s a plus. This song is typical madness from Lava who has to make sure everyone’s hygiene (including and especially his own) is exactly where it needs to be. And my choice as the finest song on the Massanto, ‘What Goes Around’, comes from Jadee who fuses a bit of common sense of social commentary, even, inside the madness. This tune (which I think may be newer than some of the others) became a decent sized hit for Jadee, probably his biggest in quite some time and I, myself, don’t tend to pay him too much attention as he goes more and more towards the Gospel side of Soca (which isn’t my thing, of course), but I do give credit where it’s due - I DO love this song and you will also. And lastly, the boys at Island Traffic are kind enough to include a clean version of the riddim - Thank you for being intelligent. It’s a beautiful thing.

'What Goes Around' by Jadee

Overall (probably the easiest review I’ve written in . . . A really long time), while I do favour the Gutter Riddim’s album to the Massanto and, of course, that project went a ways in opening doors for others such as this one, I’m well impressed by the followed. I wonder if it does say something that this riddim, as opposed to the Gutter, is released digitally by Island Traffic Entertainment alone and not through VP Records or Faluma (both of whom did the Gutter) (and its Porn-ish cover). Perhaps they’ve just become that confident and that resourceful and that shouldn’t be a surprise either. We’re potentially at a pressing and an important time for Soca music which is often behind other Caribbean genres in terms of really getting the music out there and ITE is well ahead of so many in doing that. Be it the Gutter or now the Massanto Riddim, they’re well doing their part in that and in bringing the mysterious Jab Jab right were it belongs - To the center stage.

Rated: 3.50/5
Island Traffic Entertainment
2010/2011
Digital

Upset! Otis - Grenada Soca Monarch 2010

Yow! When I'm wrong I have to say I'm wrong and a little while ago, I heard reigning and defending Grenada Soca Monarch, Mr. Killa's Monarch tune, 'See Dem Fly' and that tune was wicked, so I declared Spicemas Soca Monarch 2010 a "WRAP". Well, I was WRONG (as hell), because some dude named Kelvin Celestine [bka Otis] apparently took the crown with his tune, 'Tornado', which had to have torn a big fucking whole in the place. I didn't actually see the competition and while I know that Mr. Killa took second, I don't know who took third (probably Luni Sparks & Electrify) (or Zingo). But, it's all about Otis, so definitely congratulations. You might remember him from last year, telling everyone to 'Reclaim The Skies', but I don't know too much about the man, so if Grenada just has RANDOM DUDES jumping up and beating the Killa, then . . . Yeah, that might be interesting next year. Listening to his tune, I'm pretty sure what Otis had to have done to take the crown is to create one BIG ASS circle in the audience, either that or he somehow got a big tornado to LITERALLY drop on stage (and probably hurt himself doing it, but it was worth it). It actually sounds more like a Road March tune to me and he will be dangerous on the Road, I'm sure. But biggup Otis. Biggup Rankin Marvin (a Calypso) who took Groovy Monarch, also last night and also biggup Tallpree who is 2010 Grenada Village Soca Monarch (he also won last year, playing a wicked jab). And check out Otis' qualifying performance at the SEMI-FINALS a little while ago.

Mr. Killa - 'See Dem Fly'

Speaking of Soca Monarchs. Achis Reggae favourite, Mr. Killa, reigning Soca Monarch of Grenada has recently pushed the tune he anticipates attempting to defend his crown with next week, 'See Dem Fly'. I try to avoid saying "never", but uhmmm, yeah - Grenada Soca Monarch - That's a wrap. It's over the man has taken the crown without even setting foot on the stage. I haven't quite looked at the competition (although I should), but off the top of my head, I'm pretty sure Tallpree isn't reaching which would leave someone like Luni Sparks & Electrify and maybe Lavaman as the main competition, but . . . Yep. It's not happening.

"I am the baddest thing!
Tell me, why you start a war?
Tell them I am the King
Tell dem boy I am di Emperor!
Why they trouble trouble
When trouble don't trouble dem
Tonight is Soca Monarch and I come to murder dem!"

"The Wickedest Jab": A Review of The Gutter Riddim by Various Artists

As the world’s reigning greatest and most active Soca novice, each and every passing Carnival season, I tend to take what I feel is a more concerted and focused look at the music in much the same way as I do in terms of Reggae. I haven’t even remotely come to the point where the various labels, producers and even managers to some degree are, but hopefully someday I’ll get there, this despite the fact that I’ve been listening VERY closely for quite awhile and EXTREMELY (which is greater than just VERY) for the last few years now. So yes, I have been kind of slow going in that area, however, standing in my defense is the fact that being less laboured and ‘weighed-down’ (with all that brain power) fan of Soca is just so fun that often pursuing some of the knowledge of behind the scenes dealings requires dropping the absolute euphoria that the actual music itself often brings. So, if I’m well past forty years of age (I’m 28 and a half now) and I still essentially don’t know shit about Soca, don’t blame me! Blame ridiculously talented artists and producers making this music which keep me and my atrociously large vocabulary at an intellectual distance, but maybe I’m getting better (or maybe not), as over the course of the past couple of years or so, I’ve definitely increased my mental catalog in terms of ‘who’s-who’ with Soca producers and labels. Of course, the greatest aid in that has been through the (usually) wonderful compilations that the genre collectively releases each and every year with some of the biggest tunes from some of the biggest artists and a great deal of those releases are pushed by the actual labels and producers themselves, which kind of makes learning their names that much easier. I’m now actually aware of people such as Kernel Roberts, Da Mastamind, Dwaingerous (although I actually learned of him through other means besides observing his nice release Straight From BIM), Peter Coppin from Monstapiece, Masterroom, Studio 758 and a whole heap of others and I’m aware of their work as well and not just them as a ‘name’ (and I’m even getting to the point where I can actually identify their styles and sounds, which is a beautiful thing). Still, I’d have to say that out of the main various Soca producing hotspots (Trinidad, Barbados, St. Vincy etc.), with the slowly rising exception of Guyana, the one which has remained the most mysterious to me, at least behind the scenes, has definitely been Grenada.

But perhaps ‘things are a changing’ as, besides a compilation here and there (more on that in just a second) I think there’s been an uprising of sorts in Soca music from out of Grenada just in general. Last year there was a VERY strong compilation, Fully Loaded from Shawn Mitchell’s Homebase Entertainment which featured some of the best Soca talents from all across the board (including Patrice Roberts and Machel Montano) alongside some of the finest talents in the genre from out of Greenz ( like Tallpree and Mr. Killa). That compilation definitely helped things on the international level (and for me personally as well), but little did I know at the same time what was going on was something ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! Meet Island Traffic Entertainment. The actual vibes from out of Grenada when it comes to Soca definitely have a more ‘loose’ feel to them than in neighbouring islands where the vibes are also very colourful (and we’re talking about Trinidad here where all colours, in terms of Soca, begin and end), but Grenada most certainly has it’s own thing going on. This “thing” hasn’t been captured on the highest level of the game more recently and more devastatingly effectively as said Island Traffic has with the MAMMOTH Gutter Riddim. This thing has arguably been the most popular Soca riddim, regardless of origin, across the past couple of years as, birthed in Grenada’s Carnival season it, as expected, stretched right into Trinidad’s season, picking up a couple of HUGE names in the process. STILL (as in right now), it is definitely the most popular Soca riddim going right now and although it certainly has a definitive hit to its credit, the Gutter has birthed several hits as well. So why is it so popular? That’s certainly up for discussion and debate, both of which in my opinion, however, would begin with the fact that this thing is wickedly captivating, almost regardless of who’s voicing it. The piece definitely has that kind of FREAKY sounding vibes to it which characterizes and simultaneously distinguishes Grenada’s ‘brand’ of Soca from all others, the ‘Jab Jab’. This unnecessarily addictive sound, when expressed through music, serves as one of the Caribbean’s most mysteriously PRECIOUS gems that there is, which is saying a hell of a lot (have a look around why don’t you). The Gutter Riddim caught this, recorded it and ‘sold’ it to some of the biggest artists to be found and now they’re trying to sell it to you and I (well apparently they’ve already sold it to me - mission accomplished - and now it’s your turn). I was VERY (pleasantly) surprised to the Gutter making it to an international level and that, in and of itself, is another very coup for Grenada Soca as the album not only comes digitally (check the note at the end), but also the actual CD will be in stores internationally soon as well which may just be unprecedented for a Grenada born Soca riddim (certainly of the modern era). On top of that, what I’m thinking is that this just may be how Island Traffic Entertainment (a group of three young producers from out of Grenada. Yes, I’m already calling them Soca’s answer to DASECA) ROLLS! To my knowledge, they haven’t been producing for a very long time and doing a project like this would certainly be a first for them, but maybe in the next couple of years we’ll see drops like such from the label pushing out routinely. The question, of course, will be can they reach the supreme levels of standards set by the Gutter. If they can, then I won’t be only fantastic novice who’ll need to take notice.

In terms of the actual artists tapped by Island Traffic Entertainment to handle the riddim, you really get a HEALTHY dosage of some of the better equipped powerful Soca artists across the board. There aren’t that much in the way of newcomers (I only see two that didn’t immediately jump off the page at me), but perhaps that’s a good thing as nothing was left to chance in providing the riddim with potential hits. Speaking of hits, getting things launched on the Gutter Riddim album from Island Traffic Entertainment is definitely the biggest hit of them all, as Greenz veteran, the incomparable Tallpree, steps up with ‘Playing A Wicked Jab’ (that’s not the official name of the tune, but who cares, that’s what you’ll remember). This tune has grown and grown on me from the very first time I heard it and it is STILL doing so (and I liked it originally too) and SERIOUSLY if you don’t like it and if it doesn’t get your head rocking heavy, then. . .well I just don’t know! Love the tune and you well knew the album was going to get started that way. In terms of recent work then the biggest name on the riddim rolls in next with ‘Thinking Of Something’, Fay-Ann Lyons. This one had a bit more work and growing with me as far as my appreciation of it, but it’s also done that like the opener. It’s definitely more lyrical than some of the other sets here (and I’m finding that to be the case with Lyons’ work in general) and when you get into the wordplay and PERSONALITY she displays, the tune definitely rises up to the upper half of tunes on the Gutter. Perhaps another entry on that side is the ADDICTIVE ‘Am A Slave’ by the largely unknown Zee 1. Should he have a future with more drops like this tune, his popularity will definitely run to an all-time high and he probably runs THE line of the riddim when he says, “I’m a slave under rum. I’m a slave under gyal. I’m a slave under Soca music for the Carnival!”, I won’t cosign on the first one, but the second two - YES!

Under ‘Wicked Jab’, there’re two other BIG hits from the Gutter Riddim which aren’t to be missed (for different reasons). The first is one which I DON’T actually like, ‘Pipe’ from Trini Patch. I’m not going to say I HATE this tune, because I most certainly do not, but I don’t like it anywhere near the degree where most people seem to, so you’ll probably like it too. Patch is selling pipe and later on he gets a most unsurprising of buyers. The second of the two is another veteran from out of Grenada, the fucking insane Lavaman. Lava blesses the Gutter with its title tune, a not so clever play on words and innuendo and I DO love this tune! Lavaman has quietly been one of my favourites for awhile (especially last year, WEH YUH GLASS!) and ‘Gutter’ didn’t do a thing to take away from that. Technically I can also add to that the Gutter Riddim remix to 2009 St. Vincy Road March winning tune, ‘Mad House’ from Problem Child, as far as hits. But me personally? I cannot stand this tune, the original is MADNESS on top of MADNESS and the remix is madness of a different kind (as in - Bad Idea).

That being said, however, the most scintillating of moments on the Gutter Riddim comes via a most expected source, Bunji Garlin, who just DESTROYS whatever is left of the thing with ’Mad Carnival’. There’ll always be other artists like Tallpree and there’ll be newer lights like the next name I’m going to mention, but when it comes to CRAZY flows and CRAZY lyrics in Soca music, Bunji holds the crown indefinitely in my opinion and let this tune stand as ex.#4409! ‘Mad Carnival’ is insanity at its highest possible level and although other tunes (like the ones I’ve just mentioned) were more popular, Bunji Garlin OWNED the Gutter. Sifting through the ruins of whatever is left of the riddim after Bunji smashed it, thankfully, is Skinny Fabulous who offers the nearly as intense ‘Badder Than Everybody’. Skinny is also in the process of carving out a place for himself as one of the new school of INTENSE artists who have an obvious tinge of the Dancehall in their styles and he is the HEAD of that class. This tune fits in line with several of his releases and it’s probably one of his more impressive lyrical outings also (now let’s see if we can get an album for Vincy Mas this year).

Grenada’s own Vibes International checks in with the more than adequate ‘Jab Jab’ and in doing so joins a pretty nice group of veterans making up the balance of artists on the riddim. Both Mr. Slaughter & Ms. Alysha take a go at the Gutter to mixed results. I don’t really enjoy Slaughter’s ‘Do As I Say’ very much at all and I haven’t taken too kindly to Alysha’s ‘We Riding It’ [aka ‘Riding’] either, although I find that it’s well growing on me by this point as well. And again, Greenz definitely represents with vets Brother B and former Grenada Soca Monarchs Luni Sparks & Electrify. The two also breed mixed results in my opinion as Brother B (who you won’t find ANYWHERE NEAR a list of my favourite artists, not even just from Grenada) actually does very well with his effort, ‘Hula’ (and there was another tune he had that I liked not too long ago by the name of ‘Move’). Meanwhile Luni & Electrify start off VERY strong on their tune, ‘Wine It’, but when they start singing, any fire they had rather quickly fizzes out.

And as I mentioned, Patch finally locates a willing purchaser of his piping products and of course it’s Saucy. The remix is only a little more entertaining the original, but more entertaining nonetheless and it closes matters on the Gutter Riddim album.

Overall, I come away from this one with three different prevailing thoughts. The first and certainly most pertinent is the notion that this may in fact be THE best Soca riddim album that I’ve ever heard (its main competition would most certainly be the Trample from a few years back) and although that isn’t saying a great deal, it is saying something. The second thought is - I wonder why in the hell Mr. Killa didn’t voice the riddim. And the third is that the Gutter Riddim may have done well with infusing even a bit more Dancehall. Artists like Bunji, Tallpree and Skinny Fabulous who naturally have those type of vibes in their music, make up the class of the artists on the riddim (and there is a SICK Vybz Kartel remix on the riddim as well), so I would’ve liked to have seen what might’ve happen had Island Traffic Entertainment turned the Gutter over to the likes of Aidonia and Busy Signal - some of the more impressive high-tech talents in the Dancehall as well. Nevertheless, judging the riddim on what it is, the Gutter is FANTASTIC. Of course Soca heads will devour it and have been doing just that (and will continue to), but I’m also inclined to think that Dancehall fans may find enough within its fourteen tracks that they’ll enjoy also (and thankfully it’s digital so you can pick and choose). As for me, I LOVE to see Soca projects get this much attention and hopefully they’ll continue to do such pieces in 2010 (they’ve also released another compilation, No Control: Spice Mas 2K9 Soca Hits which is available digitally now) and just generally continue to shed light to people like yours truly, not only on Soca in general, but specifically on the HUGE vibes brewing in Grenada - Home of the Wicked Jab.

Rated 4.25/5

Island Traffic Entertainment

2010

{Note: There are apparently two different versions of the digital version of the Gutter Riddim album. While both appear to have the same tracklist, this review is for the release from the release marked 'Island Traffic Entertainment/VP Records' which is the one I suggest you buy (two words - ROCKET LAUNCHER). The covers for the two releases are slightly different, which is what you can look for if you decide to purchase it in anyway}

A Chunk of Spice Mas 2k9: A Review of Fully Loaded by Various Artists

For the most part, the trucks have packed up, the revelers have gone home, the angels have gone back underground and the jumping has stopped. Carnival 2k9 was definitely an interesting experience and, for several reasons, I don’t have much to complain about. Still, the BIGGEST event, in my opinion, was watching the woman of the year, Faye-Ann Lyons taking pretty much anything that was anything to take in Trinidad and I still find myself mentally or visually reliving the occasion which I will almost certainly NEVER forget in my entire life. And while there continue to be screams and fetes here and there (nice ones too), we have now entered the nice three months or so where Soca heads can comfortably rest our feet before getting ready for December or so when the big songs will begin to roll in again. So everything is done! Not quite. The annual ‘ritual’ of releasing albums has now begun from artists and labels alike and, for some reason another, it seems as if everyone has been releasing later and later but now, midway through September, quite a few nice things are out and about (although I wouldn’t AT ALL be surprised to see a Bunji Garlin album before the end of the year. Artists like Destra, KMC, Machel Montano and Shurwayne Winchester have already made their respective contributions (so have El-A-Kru and a few others also) but, perhaps even more notably, there have been the label produced compilations. This is quite interesting because what actually happens is that you basically have the various best Soca producers from the various best (and not so best) Soca loving islands releasing on their own labels compilations full of the tunes they’ve produced for that specific year. I LOVE THIS! Because I can’t pay attention to everything (although I definitely give it my best shot), these compilations will almost inevitably expose me to songs which I had NEVER heard and can spend the time until December with, satiating my need for the jump up. This year, first there was Best Of The Best Soca Hits 2009 which is easily one of the most dependable annual releases in terms of quality and primarily deals with covering the tunes which were big in Trinidad (although, it, unlike many of the others, aren’t inherently tied to one producer/label) and it’s always very good and of course, there was Soca Gold 2009 the industry’s leader from the peerless VP Records. Those two are pretty popular (especially SG) but did you know about Ragga Ragga Soca IV from Masterroom Studios? The nice compilation is 2009’s installment from the big Vincy label. And Best Of The Best Soca Hits also has a ‘sibling’, the lighthearted Soca Grooves 2009. And don’t even get me started on Barbados with seemingly EVERYONE releasing compilations. We’ve already seen four or so from the highest level, including Andy Armstrong’s Chaos, Monstapiece’s AWOL and Dwaingerous’ latest installment of Straight From Bim, Wine Fuh Yuh Life. And we’re still waiting on Soca 758 from out of St. Lucia. So maybe they mistake. Maybe Carnival isn’t quite over.

And then there’s Grenada. The style of Soca in Grenada has always struck me as a bit ‘looser’ while maintaining the HEAVY edge to a degree and, although I don’t tend to be able to follow it as closely as I’d like to (for some reason) a couple of my favourite Soca artists are from Grenada such as Mr. Killa, Berbice and Nnika Francis. So I would definitely be interested in seeing a BIG time Grenada Soca compilation and up until this year, I’ve only seen one or two. Incidentally “1 or 2” of those seem to be tied to the same individual, one Mr. Shawn Mitchell. The first of those projects went by the name of Soca Stage, from back in 2005 or so and it wasn’t very good altogether (not bad, however) but it featured the RIDICULOUS tune More Rags from the previously mentioned Mr. Killa (who also had another decent tune on the album, the oft-hilarious Kanaval Jump). The second was a bit more solid (although sans Mr. Killa): Soca City Vol. 1 which dropped for 2007 for Mitchell’s label, Homebase Entertainment. That album was pretty good and featured big names from out of Greenz, such as Tallpree, Ajamu and even Luni Sparks & Electrify. I don’t think Soca City had a volume two (apparently Mitchell spent his 2008 season doing his ‘day job’, which is playing bass for Machel Montano’s Xtatik-turned-HD band) which would make this brand new release for Spice Mas (Grenada’s Carnival) 2009, Fully Loaded (I do prefer the title Soca City actually) a bit more interesting and although I had no idea it was forthcoming until it was on it’s way to me, I have to admit that I quietly had more interest in this release than I did for a few of the other more ballyhooed titles. Why? Well, as I mentioned first of all, I don’t get to pay that much attention to Grenada’s releases which is probably exactly why it’s the middle of September and I’m still finding tunes from Spice Mas that I hadn’t heard before AT ALL (on and off this album). Another reason would be the fact that Homebase didn’t just load Fully Loaded with Greenz artists. That would have been too easy! Nope. Instead, if you follow Soca AT ALL, you’re able to see with just a brief glance at the tracklist that there is something more special at work here as apparently Mitchell and company (Wayne Green & Deleon Walters) called in favours from some of his more well known peers and there are bonafide SUPERSTARS from all across the Caribbean appearing on Fully Loaded’s roster which is nearly AMAZING and, in this day and age where producers are seemingly going out of their way to outdo each other, it’s also very NECESSARY. So, with such qualities just on paper going in, you would have to make a product that would also be top notch or, it would all go to waste (which would be very unfortunate, especially in this case). Thankfully, Homebase is on point for most of Fully Loaded to my ears, as it ends up being one of the stronger Soca compilations you’ll find coming from anywhere in 2009.

Fully Loaded is pretty much set up as you might imagine, with various Homebase riddims being utilized by the different artists appearing on the album. The riddim’s themselves are quite nice (thankfully) and you’ll also find that, if you really love Soca, some of this material will be quite familiar to you and good luck finding them on any other official release. Up first is an artist I’m sure Homebase wants you to pay special attention to: Young potential superstar (and CUTIE) Nnika Francis, who chimes in the innuendo-latent Sugar Stick across the very popular Bubble Up riddim from Homebase. I’ve heard quite a few tunes from Francis over the past few years and even though she seems gets a bit of flack from Soca heads, I’m not one of them at this point, she definitely could be looking at a great future and Sugar Stick, although not her best tune (that would be Mas) is a very good example of her talents and one cool tune to open Fully Loaded with. Now you may very well not know exactly who Nnika Francis is, but if you follow Soca these days even in the slightest way, you definitely know who comes in at #2 with the infectious Slow Wine, Machel Montano. The big man of Soca comes through for his good friend and band member and delivers to him one of the biggest tunes on his album and also the same Bubble Up riddim. Machel can do pretty much anything in his music and taking this decidedly GROOVY effort to the next level is testament number 3,976,321, to his strength (even if one his ‘disciples’ outdoes him, more on that in a minute). Another big tune there. Playing closer for the opening of Homebase Entertainment’s Fully Loaded is the album’s first combination, the addictive Show Off from veteran Mista Vybe from out of TnT and the man of the moment himself, Mr. Killa. I typically don’t like tunes like this (it’s kind of a poppish/electric sounding vibe) but this one pretty much works for me and you can pretty much stamp ‘future hit’ on it as the more you listen to it, the harder it becomes to take off of repeat.

Although Fully Loaded is definitely well SOLID and CONSISTENT, to my ears, the ‘competition’ for best tune here is a two horse race. The winner of said race is, of course, the DIVINE Ms. Patrice Roberts who climbs all over the Bubble Up riddim with the OUTSTANDING Wuk It which is quintessential Roberts at her absolute best (and she should take that tune to a Groovy Monarch stage next year definitely). The runner up is Kage (WHO???), who I’d never even heard of until this season and has been absolutely DESTROYING me with the HIGHLY ADDICTIVE tune Colour & Bumpas! You be very very careful when approaching this song (I’ve literally spent hours with it at a time) because it will grab on to you and if you had anything you needed to be doing at the time. . . Oh well. Not too far behind those two is 2008’s Spice Mas Road March winner, Myney who comes through with her hope for 2009, the LARGE shot, My Property. Although she didn’t take home the same honours in 2009, with tunes like this, the young Myney will be a threat to take the crown for years to come and it’ll be a joy to watch definitely. A very interesting combination in the form of Mr. Vegas and Vincy reigning two time Soca Monarch, Skinny Fabulous also comes through on My Girl. This one definitely isn’t a favourite of mine, but it’s grown on me considerably since the first time I heard it and biggup Mr. Vegas for representing Jamaica definitely. (Cutie) Tarah [Holdipp] also checks in with a nice tune, Mr. DJ. You, if you’re like me, may not respond to the tune so much initially but don’t just move by without coming back because the song (which has a very oddly paced vibes to it) takes a spin or two to REALLY grab the listener and Holdipp’s is another name to keep an eye on as well. Farmer Nappy, to complete the HD set also goes at the Bubble Up with Looking To Wine, which isn’t GREAT but is a nice and groovy vibes. And I’ll also mention Mista Vybe who comes back and brings in veteran Tallpree as well on the Jab D Remix across the same Jab Jab Reloaded riddim that Kage OBLITERATES on Colour & Bumpas. Also trying their hands at the JJR riddim are Jamesy P and Luta with their tune Bruk She Waist. Between the two, I’m definitely favoring Vybe and Tallpree but both are mentionable definitely. And, although Kage dominates in terms of the unknown and lesser known artists on Fully Loaded, he isn’t the only one here you need take note of as a few of the other artists who may not be as exposed quite yet show that they are also ones to watch. In particular is Lexie with Have You Ever. I think this Lexie is the same Lexy who had the RIDICULOUS tune We Doh Business (find that one somewhere!) and Have You Ever (a bit more melodic than We Doh Business) is on that same vibes and I’ll be watching next year for her as well. Grenadian singer Ervin Isaacs quietly appears on two tracks here, the first is the decent It’s A Party alongside Lucian gospel head Emrand Henry. The second, however, the corny titled Heart Goes Doo-Doop is well catchy and a nice vibes from the possible future Grenada (or beyond) Groovy Soca Monarch. The Frontpage band is also representing with two tunes with two different lead singers, Otis and Nekoyan Bain. I’ve never heard anything from Nekoyan but her effort, Yuh Rag is quite nice although it’s Otis (who I THINK I have heard of) who shines brightest between the two with the very AMBITIOUS Reclaim (he actually wants to reclaim THE SKY) (with rags, of course). Otis actually took the song as far as Grenada Soca Monarch stage where, at least to my opinion, he did quite well (placed 7th) and he’ll do better than that one day (like next year) as Reclaim definitely proves to be one of the best tunes on Fully Loaded. And there’s a bonus tune here, the well known Ignition completes them with another piece across the Bubble Up, the nice (and kind of catchy) Gimme De Wine, as we go out the same way we came in and in nice fashion also.

Overall, I don’t know that I’m totally comfortable calling Fully Loaded THE best Soca compilation that I’ve heard this year (I think that honour still belongs to Best Of The Best), but it certainly can’t be very far from it and as I didn’t really expect it, that definitely slides it up a bit on the scale. Grenada has ALWAYS been a nice source of big artists coming in on Soca and really an album like this (given ANY type of promotion and as both Soca City and Soca Stage eventually ended up as international releases, one would imagine that Fully Loaded will eventually also) can only help. And for the hardcore heads who know way more about the music than I do, still, I would imagine that there is something here that you aren’t already well tired of. So I’m rather confidently recommending Fully Loaded to all fans of Soca, new and old, as Homebase has just released the best compilation they’ve ever done and arguably one of the best anyone has done this year.

Rated 4/5 

Homebase Entertainment

2009

Mr. Killa: 2009 Grenada Soca Monarch

Mr. Killa

Unfortunately we were unable to attend (wife got sick) but last night Mr. Killa (aka Baby Killa) (aka Hollice Mapp) dethroned reigning Grenada Soca Monarchs Luni Sparks & Electrify to once again take the crown. I don't know how many times now he's won that title but Killa is by far one of the maddest, craziest and most ridiculous performers in all of Soca and is always amongst the favourites to take the crown going into Spice Mas. His tune, Swing It Away, in my opinion, was CLEARLY the best that I heard from out of Greenz this year

Luni Sparks & Electrify (pictured alongside Killa) did take second with their tune, Eruption.

Although I think they should have went with Mad Energy

But they probably would not have won with either tune as Killa's tune was absolute madness. Also hoping we get an album from Killa this year as he definitely had a couple which were top notch and would look mighty fine headlining a long player. ANDDDDDDD of course the winner of Grenada's Soca Monarch does qualify for next year's big show in TnT, so hopefully Killa can get a sponsor and some decent funds because in such a competition which figures to be wiiiiiiiiiiiiiide open next year, he can definitely be a dark horse in the race (like Skinny Fabulous). So congratulations to Mr. Killa and see you in Trinidad boss.