BBC Music on the World Service: The Caribbean Musical Melting Pot

Gemma Cairney explores new Caribbean sounds beyond reggae and Rihanna.

Music from all over the Caribbean is gaining international recognition as it increasingly draws on influences from all around the world. Puerto Rico has brought the world Reggaeton – once an edgy underground music movement on a par with the early days of hip-hop. Now Justin Bieber’s “Sorry” is a global anthem and Daddy Yankee has sold 18-million albums worldwide. Experts put the surge in Reggaeton popularity down to a change in tone that has attracted female fans, while die-hards say its growing global popularity has come at the price of its essential spirit. Gemma explores if this new music reflects a changing Caribbean – one that is more outward and proud of its musical tradition and cultural origins and less preoccupied with the pain of a colonial past.

In this first programme, Gemma looks at the new sounds of Soca in Trinidad and Barbados, which is a blend of both African and Trinidadian rhythms. The programme includes interviews with Bajan Soca queen Alison Hinds; Soca producers De Red Boyz; Salt, Bubbles & Nikita at Barbados station Slam 101FM and Bajan spoken word artist, DJ Simmons. Calypsonian Adonijah, Bristol/Trinidadian duo Jus Now and DJ Jillionaire also feature, along with Stiffy from Barbados. The programme reveals how Soca has become integral to the Bajan economy – particularly the Crop Over Festival which Gemma visits.

Publicity contact: MH2