Socaphobic

Not actually about the anti-soca bias so many amazing dj's seem to have, this is a little overview of homophobia in soca, which is at worst biblical and at best tongue-in-cheek. There's a book coming out about queer Trinidad by a friend of mine so I'm not going to make broad cultural claims, but I have lived there, studied at UWI, and did go to some amazing gay parties.

When I was there, Denise Belfon actually played some gay fetes (quietly of course) and some dude I knew was fucking a famous male vocalist (NO NAMES). Take a second and live for the queen of dancehall soca, whose colaboration with MAW is kinda of a gay anthem.





Soca is pretty laid back about the whole gay thing. Machel has said "mama man" like a handful of times in his music, not that serious. Peter Ram has a few lines about at about 3:30 (along with a hilarious/sexy Adam and Eve scene) that are a bit preachy but not that bad considering



This one is priceless. Psychedelic lyrics, the overriding bestiality metaphors, the lack of violent content - socaphobiaz/ripe for recontextualization



Gay Man Don't Like No Cat (Soca 2010) - Kuba Dazz (320)

Work (DJ Patrick's Bubbling Mix) - MAW feat Denise (192 VBS)

Woman By My Side (TV Dub) - Peter Ram (232 VBS)

Lone Wolf and Lifepartner are two spiritual compatriots. Lone Wolf gave me everything I have in Boston, and Lifepartner holds down the "i ain't afraid of dancheall" queer parties in Portland. Together, they will make beautiful music at Zuzu's, and both international and sexual boundaries will be called into question. Here's a gentle jam by Omari Ferrari consoling a girl whose man isn't on his game. Isn't it nice to hear a reggae track that mentions homosexuality without implied violence?



Omari Ferrari - He Nuh Like Woman (320)

IF HE NAH LIKE YOU IT LOOK LIKE HE NAH LIKE WOMAN AT ALL

Reel 2 Real Syndrome

Jock Jams + Ragga Vocals in a variety of languages. The guiding chants of Fatman scoop. It all sounds the same in the best possible way. I've called it 'pseudo-soca' due to the rinsing of Calabria across much of the Caribbean, US, UK and Canada. Natalie gets me:


Here's a small overview of what's been done and what's been done again. Something super fishy about it all if you ask me. In the good way













And finally, an old secret weapon that I simply can't recommend highly enough for making the dancefloor simply melt in a pool of highschool memory transplanted to a rave under a waterfall.

NEW LINK
Favretto Vs Timbaland - Rhythm of the Way I Are (DJ DaREALMIX)

Cross/Angry/Miserable

I'm so sick of this shit

and for dumb liberals who don't get the whole thing, here's the skinny

Together - Boston DJ Festival this February

I'm putting together a queer bass night for this jam. Details to come gentlefolk

Soca Aliens

Soca always experiments with outernational sounds, but usually stays true to the celebration it's designed around. Dark, moody roadmarch tracks really turn my switch - i was a happy hardcore and hardstep raver in my yout and live for when those sonic traditions intersect with my current obsession.

Here's Skinny on an extraterrestrial track



and now live lookin like Master Chief



and now for a complete WHAT THE FUCK!!!!!?????????????!!!!!

I'd never heard of Thomas Hath before this - also, wouldn't have pegged him to do a soca remix but hey, trance is everywhere eh?

Nigel Nicholas- Soca Aliens (Thomas Hath Miami Beat Remix) (320, but come on, is this really playable anywhere? dunno, but imma try it anwayz!!!!!!!!!!)

Dancehall Queen

Other than being one of my top ragga jams ever, Dancehall Queen is THE JOINT that gets dancehall-loving queers all hot and sweaty. Chevelle Franklin is a force to be recokened with, and Beenine spits pop fire consistantly. In light of the heat he's now taking from all these undersexed, overzealous and neo-imperialist gay rights groups, let us not forget the beauty that is his Ru Paul visit from the 90's.



Also, if you haven't seen the titular film, it's impossible not to recommend. The song LITERALLY is birthed as the narrative progresses, culminating in a performance that still gives me goosebumps.

Oh wait! It's about the dance

I've neglected to put up any party fliers lately. Here's the my 2 top choices for November

More Shebada

Interview with the cast of Bashment Granny, including my new muse Shebada - play to movie hopefully hitting the US asap. Wouldn't it be fun to see him and Skerrit share a stage? just sayin....



Also interesting are the crop of Shebada immitators on the Tube - what used to just be a "batty wine" vid now has a character underneath - cult hero

Let me off please

WANNA TALK ABOUT FREE SPEACH????? READ THIS