Caribbean Musicians

BOB MARLEY

On February 21, 2001, Bob Marley who died in 1981 at the age of 36, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Grammy during the month of his birth for his contribution in music. The Jamaican superstar also gained millennial recognition when one of his hit song, “One Love” was declared by the BBC to be the anthem of the century. His album “Exodus” was labeled as the album of the century by Time Magazine. Today, the superstar’s name can be seen in Hollywood, as he was also honored by the entertainment industry with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, on his birthday, Feb 6th 2001..

Back in the 70’s and 80’s, Marley introduced Raggae to the world. Today, Marley’s soul and spirit lives on as songs written by him are played all over the world. Songs such as I Shot the Sheriff, Buffalo Soldier, Get up Stand Up, No Waman No Cry, Exodus and One Love have become universal.

Damien Marley - Grammy for best Reggae Album

At the 44th Annual Grammy which took place on Feb 27, 2002, Damien Marley won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album-an award which eluded his father, Bob Marley, while he was alive. Damien’s winning Grammy Album, Halfway Tree was released back on September 11, 2001 and became very successful, burning up the airwaves. The album Halfway Tree was named after a famous crossroad in Jamaica.
The 23 year old Damian has a voice that sounds similar to his father’s. He is the youngest child of Bob Marley and Cindy Breakspeare, Jamaica’s former Miss World..

Rikki Jai - King of Chutney Soca

In January 2002, for the fourth time in five years, King of Chutney Soca, Rikki Jai walked away with the du Maurier Chutney Soca Monarch title along with a cash prize of $100,000. As a crowd of 12,000 moved to the pulsating beat of Chutney Soca, at Skinner Park, San Fernando, Jai entered the stage performing his two songs, “She Leave Meh and Gone Away” and “Rock-a-by Baby,” which were accompanied by dancers and props. Jai’s superb performance overshadowed the entertainers that performed after him. The second place winner was Heeralal Rampartap who received a cheque for $20,000. Drupatee Ramgoonai-Persad came in third and was awarded a check for $10,000.
The show ended with a disappointed crowd, as Jai was not allowed to perform one of his award winning tunes because police stopped the show and the other performers because the noise pollution licence had expired at 3 am.

The Mighty Sparrow turns 66

Calypso King, Sparrow, also know as “the Birdie”, celebrated his 66th birthday earlier this year with a grand concert where some of Trinidad’s best talent performed. It was a great way for the legendary calypsonian to celebrate his birthday, surrounded by his loyal and adoring fans, as he performed with confidence bringing the crowd to their feet.

Byron Lee

In 1956 while in College, Byron Lee, Carl Brady, Ronnie Nasralla, Alty East and Ronald Peralto got togther after a football game with some crude instruments, consisting of spoons grater for percussion, a box for their drum and Byron Lee’s antique guitar. Byron Lee had no intention of becoming a musician as football was his first love and scoring goals is what he did best. Soon, the band Byron Lee and the Dragonaires was formed. The band was destined to become very successful, evolving into one of the most popular band in the Caribbean with the leadership of Byron Lee.

Lee understood that music is a business and he demanded respect and discipline and he got it. He said, “From my mother who was of African descent, I received the soul, rhythm and love of music and from my father who was Chinese, I received my shrewd business sense.”
Byron Lee & the Dragonaires has been around for over four decades and has over 150 awards. The band continues to tour and play music that will keep you jumping and waving your hand in the air form the beginning to the end. Through out the years the band continues to evolve, making waves and progressing with new members from places like Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana, Barbados and the Bahamas. Byron Lee states that he “attributes the success of Byron Lee and the Dragonaires to the image and reputation of a band, comprising of slick-looking members, which would take minimum breaks, play good music and ensure that patrons got their monies worth.”

Byron had other dreams. His long time dream came to life in 1990 with the launching of the Jamaican Carnival. In 1989 Byron and a group of people came together t o plan the Jamaican carnival which had grown over the years into the biggest event in Jamaica. The event for 2002 took place earlier this year from March 31st to April 7th.

The Top Soca Hits of the Century

1-Sugar Bum Bum (Lord Kitchener 1978), 2-Meh Lover (Lord Nelson 1983), 3-Tiny Winey (Byron Lee 1985), 4-Hot Hot Hot (Arrow 1983/1984), 5-Soca Man (Baron 1990), 6-Get Something and Wave (Superblue 1991), 7-Na Na Na (Second Imij), 8-Dollar Wine (Colin Lucas 1991), 9-Teaser (Becket 1990/1), 10-Moving (Nigel Lewis 1996), 11-Soca Baptist (Blueboy 1980), 12-Judit (Scrunter 1985), 13-Shaking it (Shandileer 1989), 14-Gimme the Ting (Lord Kitchener 1984), 15-Dingolay (Shadow 1994), 16-I Don't Mind (Winston So So 1986), 17-Paul (Crazy 1993), 18-Golo (Second Imij), 19-Parkway Rock (Rootsman 1986), 20-Maimi Vibes (Rootsman 1987), 21-Subway Jam (Swallow 1981/2), 22-Jump (On the Count of Four) (Second Imij 1992), 23-If Ah Rude Ah Rude (Devon George), 24-Black Man Come to Party (Black Stalin 1991), 25-Nani Wine (Crazy 1989).

Some Top Soca Artists
Allison Hinds & Square One, Atlantik, Bunji Garlin, Baron, Calypso Rose, Crazy, David Michael Rudder, Denyse Plummer, Explainer, Gabby, Gypsy, KMC, Krosfyah, Iwer George, Lord Kitchener, Machel & Xtatik, Merchant, Mighty Sparrow, Ras Shorty I, Rikki Jai, Roaring Lion, Roy Cape & The Kaiso All Stars, Sanell Dempter & Blu Ventures, Shadow, Sharlene Boodram, Super Blue, Taste of Madness, Terencia Coward, Tony Prescott & Surface, Treason.