After eyeing Trinidad and Tobago’s musical landscape for “quite some time” VP Records through its sub label VP Associated Label (VPAL) has embarked on initiatives to provide distribution services for Trinidad and Tobago producers, label operators and artistes. Since VPAL’s launch in 2009, the indie sub-label has partnered and continues to partner with numerous artistes and producers throughout the world. Its main focus is to provide small label operators, producers and independent artistes access to diverse markets through distribution opportunities.

VPAL through the established distribution channels of VP Records has access to over 600 online and mobile destinations in over 100 territories. One can expect nothing short of upheld agreements and delivery from a brand that is an extension of one of the largest independent record labels for Caribbean Music, specifically Reggae and Dancehall. The obvious interest in Trinidad and Tobago creations and creators is quite understandable as the label recognized the existing talent pool that is seeking access to larger markets. Donovan Williams, Senior Label Manager at VPAL is enthusiastic about the recent signing of Trinbagonian talents, he shared, “The music industry is changing daily and the services we offer is locked in with those changes, we have the resources to market and promote worldwide, therefore which allows our clients to compete globally with their music.”

RKG, Tim Starr, Shurwayne Winchester, Ravi B, Saleem Beharry, Chris Garcia, Sally Sagram, Tony Prescott, K Kay Joseph, Adesh Samaroo, Jadel, Chef Jason, Nari Raghubir, Jesh Ramnanan, O’Neil Bhajman, Rishi Singh, Rooplal G, Terry Seales, Soca Elvis, Andy Singh, Calypso Rose, Mighty Sparrow and others will all benefit from distribution opportunities through VPAL Music. To be even more specific to Trinidad and Tobago VPAL extended its business to a recently established division; VPAL Soca. While focusing on the talent available in the twin island republic the most popular genre would not be neglected. Of the aforementioned names many have been assigned to the Soca division joining the likes of Teddyson John, Alison Hinds and others.

The agreement between VPAL and artiste, producers and small label owners is simple and straight forward. A percentage of what is earned is maintained by VPAL, promotional assistance is provided and access to distribution channels that is difficult for the average artiste to obtain. It is VPAL’s hope that through these agreements and opportunities the genre of Soca and Trinibagonian artistes, producers and label owners will achieve success in their musical endeavors.

Soca’s superwoman Nadia Batson gets real on her sixth full-length studio effort Real, now available worldwide from all major digital retailers (released February 19, 2016). Born in Tunapuna and based in Arima in Trinidad and Tobago, Real marks Batson’s prolific 10-year anniversary in the soca music industry, during which she has carved an unprecedented niche for herself as a bonafide triple-threat, simultaneously donning the songwriter, performer and producer hats that catapulted her as the ultimate femme fetale in Caribbean music. Her multi-faceted talents have earned her an incomparable spot in the limelight consistently for years now, and Real keeps her atop the the soca throne for years to come.

Jammed with 11 soca gems, Real delivers the full spectrum of soca music, including the groovy blockbuster “Magic” (which features breakthrough soca sensation Sekon Sta), dancehall-flavored ragga soca hit “More Nadie,” the up-tempo heartfelt jam “Soca Is Life,” and the consummate carnival anthem “Party Capital,” to name a few of her recent hits making up the fabric of this album. She teamed with soca music heavyweights to compose her soundtrack, including Trinidadian hit houses Precision Productions, Martian Music, Stadic Music, Mega Mick and AdvoKit Productions.

TRACK LIST

1. More Nadie
2. Party Capital
3. Magic Featuring Sekon Sta
4. Sorry
5. Split Personality
6. Turbulence
7. Secrets
8. Soca Is Life
9. Powder
10. Music Inside Meh Head
11. Magic (N.M.G Road Mix) Featuring Sekon Sta

Whine, wave and celebrate Caribbean carnivals all year long with Get Soca 2016, the second edition of this annual flagship compilation from FOX FUSE. This definitive soca collection features the top hits from the 2016 carnival season, from soca’s biggest hit-makers, all on one album, and are now available from all major digital retailers worldwide.

Jammed with 21 blockbuster songs, Get Soca 2016 presents the soundtrack of Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival, Barbados’ Crop Over, Grenada’s Spicemas, St. Lucia’s Lucian Carnival and Antigua Carnival, for festivalgoers and international soca aficionados. This sizzling collective of soca gems will have everyone jamming as it perfectly captures the essence of carnival and brings the sounds of these rich, Caribbean cultural celebrations to the international masses, year round.

TRACK LIST

1. GBMNutron – Scene
2. Erphaan Alves – Intentions (Wine & Touch)
3. Sekon Sta & Nadia Batson – Magic
4. Peter Ram – All Ah We
5. Jahmoun – Let Go
6. Cloud 5 – No Behavior (Whole Place Shell Down)
7. Olatunji – Oh Yay
8. Shal Marshall – Party
9. KES – People
10. Ricardo Drue – BET
11. Farmer Nappy – Bambilambambilambilambam
12. Denise Belfon – Dismantle
13. Lavaman – D-Date
14. Terri Lyons Featuring Lil Rick – High
15. Destra Garcia – Dip N Ride
16. Fireyahs – We Head Nice
17. Patrice Roberts – Money Done (Fete Out Money)
18. Olatunji – Seasonally
19. Sedale – Neighbour
20. Crazy – Is Not The Same
21. Machel Montano – Road Trip

The official video for Patrice Roberts’ “old & grey” was directed, produced and edited by MILCvision; with cinematography and aerial cinematography also by MILCvision. Additional cinematography was done by Dane Hamilton, while hair & make-up was done by Lauren Austin. The carnival costume was created by Sandra Hordatt for Entice Carnival. And clothing was supplied by Neil Young for Neil Young Co Ltd.

“Old & Grey” was produced by De Red Boyz, with co-production credits going to Fryktion. It was written by Patrice Roberts, Shertz James, Ramon McDowall, Scott Galt and Michael Hulsmeier.

Bunji Garlin & Fay-Ann Lyons

An executive decision has been made to extend the opportunity for foreign carnival attendees to experience Fire Fete in 2016. The event will now take place in the heat of the carnival action, on Wednesday February 3rd at a venue that will soon be announced.

The decision comes amid much concern by foreigners over what many frequent carnival visitors, have coined, the lack of the authentic carnival vibe. In what is essentially a decision with culture and country at heart, the Fire Services of Trinidad and Tobago, in tandem with event organizers are excitedly moving to make Fire Fete 2016, an event for the people who truly anticipate a traditional fete experience.

With the carnival calendar saturated with countless all inclusive events which, by all accounts, cater to the more reserved carnival fetter, Fire Fete organizers say they feel the need to deliver tradition to people who will visit T&T and certainly those here at home who yearn for the real carnival vibe.

The Fire Fete cast of entertainers remains powerful with Bunji Garlin, Fay-Ann Lyons and the Asylum Vikings leading the way. Other acts include Lyrikal, Teddyson John of St. Lucia, 2016 sensation, Third Bass and several other soca stars of the season. Tickets remain available at all initially advertised outlets and there is an assurance that tickets already purchased for the event, which had been carded to take place on January 16th, will be honored at the venue on February 3rd.

AdvoKit Productions gets down to business with its new soca compilation Brass Tax Riddim, available worldwide from all major digital retailers on December 18, 2015, with pre-order available now, from FOX FUSE.

The groovy Brass Tax Riddim features five tracks, including Destra Garcia with “Ring Leader,” Blaxxwith “Imagine Dat,” Nadia Batson with “Secrets”and Ravi B with “I Za Problem.”

Produced by Kit Israel for AdvoKit Productions, the album fuels the studio into the 2016 carnival season, and adds to its rich catalog that also includes 2015’s biggest soca riddim compilation, the Kan Kan Riddim.

“Brass Tax is a play on the term brass tacks, which means get down to business,” discloses Israel. “That’s what we’re doing at AdvoKit Productions, as we bring new hits for the fans to jam to, at carnival and beyond.” And with soca, calypso and chutney stars along for the ride, fans are bound to get down to business, indeed.

TRACK LIST

1. Blaxx – Imagine Dat
2. Ravi B – I Za Problem
3. Nadia Batson – Secrets
4. Destra Garcia – Ring Leader
5. AdvoKit Productions – Brass Tax Riddim (Instrumental)

MillBeatz Entertainment crafts its new carnival hit for soca stars Olatunji and Machel Montano with“Where I’m From.” 

The reigning Groovy Soca Monarch Champion Olantuji teams with the reigning Power Soca Monarch Machel Montano for this groovy soca gem, which debuted in the Top 100 on the iTunes Canada Reggae Top Songs chart, during its first week of release.

Produced by David “MillBeatz” Millien for MillBeatz Entertainment, the song was a rare teaming of competing champions, as Olatunji and Montano unite for the party anthem “Where I’m From.”

The audio-only videos have already racked up over 100-thousand views collectively on YouTube, and the track continues to gather steam as it propels all parties into the 2016 Trinidad Carnival season, where it is bound to stay atop fan and fete playlists for years to come.