Some of the region’s current soca stars took the stage at last Saturday’s Socatology event at Kensington Oval. The line-up for the night included locals Yannick Hooper, who was Undecided, Edwin Yearwood, Peter Ram and Li’l Rick, among others.
Naturally, the crowd was excited to see local favourites. However, Trinidadian artistes seemed to get a much better reception, especially Kerwin Du Bois who, before he even stepped onstage, sent the audience into an uproar when they heard the introduction for his Machel Montano collaboration Possessed.
The Bacchanalist entertained the crowd for the next half-hour before headliners Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons took the stage immediately after. The power couple, whose music dominated Trinidad Carnival, opened with this year’s soca supertune Differentology to let the crowd know they were indeed ready to give them a great show, and from the loud cheers, waving flags and spinning waistlines, it was apparent the crowd was ready as well.
With the backing of his wife and the Asylum Band, Bunji sang all of his 2013 hits but it wouldn’t have been complete if he did not go back to his “fyah” blazing days as well as showcase his lyrical genius with a freestyle rhyming session.
During the set, Fay Ann also took the lead to sing hits such as EFF, Heavy T Bumpa and Meet Super Blue. The two, who married in 2006, gave an unsuspecting patron the surprise of her life when Bunji called her up on the stage not only to wish her happy birthday but freceive a marriage proposal from her boyfriend in front of all gathered at the Oval.
Other Trinidadians worthy of mention were Cassi, who made the Whistle And Horn blow, notwithstanding having a Tongue Ring, while Swappi 3D brought his Bucket, showed he really Nah Go Play – a reggae-tinged tune – and had women ready to go onstage to Bubble Pon Ah DJ.
Bunji and Fay Ann proved interesting for more than their music. When asked backstage what it is like to work as a married couple, Lyons, the daughter of soca legend Super Blue, said: “We’ve learnt to exist separately together. We can be in the same venue, space, square, and he’ll be doing his own thing while I do mine.
“We’ve been very successful at separating the artiste side from the personal side . . . . We know when it’s artiste time and when it’s Bunji and Fay Ann time only.”
They also talked about what they enjoyed most about the island.
Fay Ann couldn’t contain her excitement as she shouted “fish and pie”, which she gets from Oistins, along with pepper sauce. And Bunji repeatedly said how much he loves the island’s nice beaches, nice food and nice friends.
