Just For Independence Day 2017

Today, as Barbados celebrates our 51st anniversary of Independence with a very special tribute to our global hip-hop queen #Rihanna with the renaming of the street where she grew up from Westbury New Road to Rihanna Drive, I didn't plan to write much. Instead I'm sharing some homegrown vocals of various genres.

I'll begin with what for many years was my favourite Barbadian song ever. It's still a classic for me. It's "Emmerton" by the maestro and national cultural ambassador, Anthony "Gabby"Carter, who can do the most amazing vocal gymnastics. This song is a lyrical tribute to a street in Bridgetown where he grew up:

    The Mighty Gabby doing what he does so well - singing and playing guitar

For me, he remains a true king in Barbados' calypso arena, John King, now a political aspirant. In this introspective, inspirational song, he laments violence in society. It's as fresh now as it was when first released 20 years ago!

                                               John King: How Many More

This lead singer has one of the sweetest soca voices and this is the song that made me a fan...around 25 years ago.  Yes, back in the days of vinyl records. I'm sure there was an official video for this, but haven't located it online. 😞

                                   

                                        The Splashband: Get Busy Get Behind the Truck

Then there is the party band of my heydey, Spice & Co. (Yes, I used to party like most youngsters do eventually...just my crowd was somewhat more refined than the bohemianism of today). That's my story and I'm sticking to it. 😉 This was one of their biggest party hits: "In de Congaline".

Spice & Company from way back when

                          

So, to celebrate Barbados' Independence, I give you this one from last year that's now growing on me - "Independence Day" by iWeb, the reigning calypso monarch of Barbados, and Nikita, who did a first-class cover of Rihanna's "Love on The Brain" at the renaming ceremony today. 

                                              

                                                 Independence Day

Just to show that amazing songs aren't just in the secular realm, check these out:

This young man released his debut album #1st John earlier this year, and I made sure I got a copy. Too many of my faves by him were on it to miss. Appreciated that he autographed it too. 😇😇

                                         

                                                     Release the Soundz

This song is by a young woman who used to sing soca and then she gave her life to Christ and showed that change of heart with this beautiful rendition:

                                                 Keann Walters' I Am Amazed

As Independence Day 2017 closes, I could not sign off without this invocation:

 

                                                 

                                                 Nicovia: Tek Ova

Barbados' Biggest Export

It's Independence time in Barbados, this month, so my "Against The Odds" story will focus on our biggest export to the world - albeit branded and packaged by and for another culture!

Back in 2007, I subscribed to news from Yahoo Music and they would feature a hot and rising artist weekly. I rarely checked them out. Then one day, I saw an image of a stunning young woman with what was picked to be the hottest dance track of the summer. I did not even check it out. I thought, "Goodness another African-American youngster who's a Beyonce wanna be".

A couple months later there was some buzz in the local newspapers and on radio about a young Bajan lass with a hit moving up the Billboard charts over the summer. I was curious. Then this video was shown on national TV in Barbados...

 

                                                           Pon De Replay

Like any patriotic Bajan and former Billboard Top 40 listener, I was thrilled to bits for this national's success. I still didn't connect her to the Yahoo "Hot Pick" I'd ignored. However, I took note of her achievements after that and though old enough to be a Mother to her, I became a fan of #Rihanna's music between the 2007-2010 period.

So last year, when taking the Social Media Marketing course with the University of Durham, I decided to find out who was Barbados biggest export? It turned out to be Rihanna.

I don't think Barbadians ever realised how huge this young woman from Westbury New Road (with the street where she used to live now renamed Rihanna Drive) had become in three short years. By 2010, the daily growth of her Facebook page exceeded 57k. No other Barbadian product even comes close. As I write, her Twitter page (linked above) has more than 82 million followers and her FB page has more than 81 million. That is influence.

She has represented international brands, even launching her own perfume and now beauty lines.

Hers is really a Cinderella story and a fine example of making it global...against the odds. And she is from this little rock in the Atlantic Ocean.

With the rest as they say being history, all that's left is for me to share some of my fave Rihanna songs. yes, they are her older hits.

 

                                                              SOS

 

                                                                       
                                                 The Nyo duet: Hate That I Love You

Keep flying the flag Riri. Ignore the haters...but do remember you are an example to millions - especially very young girls. Up and On!

Don't stop your music...

 

                                                  Don't Stop The Music



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