Notting Hill Carnival Sounds
Notting Hill Carnival wouldn’t be the same without music, food and costumes. As the Bank Holiday weekend approaches, many soca fans will be heading to their local independent record shop to buy the latest songs to add to their collection. We have highlighted the latest songs that you should expect to hear on the streets of Ladbroke Grove.
Farmer Nappy Feat Kerwin Du Bois
‘Pavement’
Trinidad & Tobago
Since leaving Xtatic family and deciding to go solo, Farmer Nappy’s career has been on the rise with his assault of catchy songs and playful lyrics. Having written and contributed to several hit songs like Big Truck, ‘No Carnival’, ‘Music Farm’ and ‘Tayee Ayee’, the Trinidadian singer has diverted his talents to another hit song called ‘Pavement’. Last year he told us he was “chipping down the road with his own woman”, so now he’s decided to instruct us to “left foot, right foot, stomp” and “to chip down de pavement”.
Faye-Ann Lyons-Alvarez,
‘Ah Something’
Trinidad & Tobago
Faye-Ann made history last year when she became the first female to win International Soca Monarch in 2009. This year, she has come back with her commanding lyrics and sassy vocals, so this time you will need elbows at the ready to “push somebody” and “bounce somebody”. A great song to get you in the mood for some serious partying!
Donaeo feat. Problem Child Remix
‘Party Hard’
St Vincent
This is a tricky one, as we know Donaeo released this track a couple of years ago and was remixed for 2009 by Problem Child, but it has been one of the most popular songs in the Caribbean thus far. Fantastic if you love funky house and even better if you adore soca, so you actually get the best of both worlds. It still keeps to the original beat with the familiar “party hard” anthem in the background.
Tallpree
‘Wicked Jab’
Grenada
He created a dance years ago which has become the iconic movement for all jab jab songs which again involve the use of elbows, so this year Tallpree hits the spot again with his tune ‘Wicked Jab’. Having made Grenadians proud coming 4th in the International Soca Monarch 2010, Grenada corner will surely be playing this one all day.
Zoelah
‘More Water’
St Vincent & the Grenadines
Since the arrival of Zoelah, there have been many to follow her vocal sounds but she continues to rise ahead. ‘More Water’ is designed for the couples who don’t want to whine too fast as its slow tempo and smooth grooves involve no flag waving.
JW & Blaze
‘Palance’
Trinidad & Tobago
Winners of International Soca 2010, singing duo JW & Blaze will have the whole of Ladbroke Grove jumping from side to side once this song is played on the sound systems. It’s guaranteed to get you moving with its lyrical content “We don’t care about the recession, all we want to do is have fun” which is what many revellers will be thinking once it’s time to ‘PALANCE!’ Be aware that, this is not a song to stand still to, as you will be physically removed if you do not follow the dance rules.
Fadda Fox
‘Staggerah’
Barbados
“Drinking Johnny Walker it aint easy”. Comical lyrics from Fadda Fox whose song will have you chanting staggerah, even though you’ll probably have a bottle of Carib or some rum in your hand. A great carefree song symbolizing what Carnival is about: making your own fun if all else fails!
