SOCA ON DE HILL- THE REVIEW

SOCA IN MUH VEINS......SOCA IN MUH BLOOD!!


For those who are lovers of Soca like myself, you would have made the trek to Farley Hill, on July 20th for the greatest Soca event (in my opinion)....SOCA ON DE HILL!!

Even though I still hold this event in highest esteem as i pertains to soca, I believe that there is a need to limit your international acts or better yet choose them wisely. While on "de hill" I realised that the international acts were given almost 45 minutes, while our local acts were given between 2 to 15 minutes. This was a bit disappointing in some cases as some of the international acts namely Shadow did not perform to my expectation. During Shadow's performance persons became bored and restless, which should not be so at an event such as SOCA ON DE HILL, where persons like myself were there to enjoy 8 and a half hours of solid Soca.
Additionally, it is a SOCA event and therefore no other genre of music should be sang, played or even thought about. It was with displeasure that I had to listen to Sherwayne Wynchester as he sang dub songs from Jamaica and tried to supplement it with the playing o Rihanna's "Please don't stop the music". In my opinion, none of it should have been sung or played as I found it to be out of place at the greatest SOCA event in the world. Even though he is a great singer, I believe he should know what is said in Ecclesiastes 3:1, "To ever thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven." And SOCA ON DE HILL was certainly not the time or place for Dub or Rihanna. The same thing goes for Versitile/Verseewild, thoseongs he has are not Soca/Calypso and he had no right being at that or any event which involves the singing of Soca music.
Similarly, I must also comment on the altercation which occurred. I think it is very stupid when you come out to enjoy yourself and as Mac Fingall said "2 jackasses would want to spoil the entire show by fighting." When you are in a crowd, you have to get touch if you don't want to get touch STAY HOME!! I was pushed, my foot was used as a 'mat' and persons were hitting me non-stop but that would not lead me to fight because I know that it was not purposely done. However, kudos must be given to the Royal Barbados Police Force who quickly intervened and escorted the guilty away from the crowd. But let me not dwell on the bad let me get to the good stuff.

WUK-UP YOU HEAR WA I TELL YOU!!

And wuk-up it was indeed for 98% of the patrons at this event. The other 2 % who didn't wuk-up were either working (RBPF) or they were drunk. The Mighty Gabby, not being his usual really up-tempo self still had the crowd moving as he sang his hits especially 'Jack.' Grynner was of course in his natural state as he had juks and wuks can't done, which was to the crowd's delight. David Rudder really got me in the mood as he sang High Mas. As the evening progressed I was highly impressed with the performances and the DJs alike namely Jon Doe and Alvin Toppin (Soca Superman), who made everyone in the party move.

As Krosfyah featuring Adrian Dutchin came on stage I was highly pleased as they pulled the energy from an already tired crowd. Khiomal in particular, who I am backing to win the Party Monarch title was full of energy as he unleashed the beast. Edwin Yearwood alias 'The General' was just as his name suggest The General and by this I mean he made the crowd wuk up extensively to handle yuh business. Even though I may be a bit bias toward Krosfyah as I am one of their biggest fans, persons will agree with me that they were indeed the best performance for the night and they had a full crowd response...even the drunk and the police were moving. This is what Soca events in Barbados need, bands such as Krosfyah and we do need a return of the big band Square One. However, I believe that Krosfyah has many more years left as Khiomal is certainly in a good position to becoming the unofficial "General". Another good thing about Krosfyah is that they sing their own songs, which is a downfall of many of today's bands they are not singing their own songs but I will leave this discussion for another blog post.
As the evening wind down, Hypa Dawg and the Underdawg were the next best in my opinion as they two had the crowd going from the time they came on until they left. I am still at a loss why Underdawg did not make it to the Party Monarch down in "the valley". Underdawg truly is a protege' of his father Hypa Dawg.

Finally, I would say that SOCA ON DE HILL was indeed great as I never felt so energized while listening to Soca as I did. But for all this I must thank Cindy (my wuk-up partner), Dwayne (my best friend), Socks (the drinks man...even though i aint get none), Michelle (my "mother"), Paula (my "sister"), Kirt (my "brother"), Takima, Shana, Shamreca, the girl i was dancing wid at some points, Kerry, Tameisha, Kameisha, Maurice, Karen and the 2 girls who decided to put me in the middle of their wuk-up sandwich. I look forawrd to next year God spare life, with nuff action and plenty satisfaction!!!

IT NAH MISSING ME!!!

Touch the World

I will pass through this life only once.
I will pass through this day only once.
I will pass through this hour only once.
I will pass through this moment only once.

Any good that I may do, should do now. I cannot wait for the right opportunities and expect to be all I should be.

I must seize the moment, take advantage of the life given to me and give only my best.

I must prepare for the worst and expect the best.

I am only one, but I am one, and my thoughts, words and actions affect myself and others. These must be pure and positive.

When I am discouraged, I will seek strength from God, who is my inspiration. nature is filled with his signature. I can be filled with his love.

I will give thanks for the many blessings I have, seeking ways to bless others.

I will think good thoughts, for my thoughts are what direct my actions.

I will speak good words and do only good deeds, for this is how others will know me.

I will seek every opportunty to act positively for others.

I will live a life disciplined spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally; for this is how I grow.

As I grow, my life will become increasingly more effective for others and for myself.

I will touch the world- each moment, hour, day of my precious life- and this will be good!

I will touch the world!