Underground Trini Artiste

Four Reasons Why Road March is Irrelevant

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Sun, 28 Dec 2014 23:10:00 +0000

You can't vibe to Road March tunes after Carnival - Road March tunes are designed to inspire the thousands of revellers to behave their worst in the streets. As a result they usually include a reference to some kinda truck (the bigger the better), may ask you to wield a rag of some sort (please not one that was recently used) and might even ask you to interact with a stage... hopefully by then you're really pumped up and not just 'acting'. These requests often sound strange and dissonant lying in bed or through your headphones at work. Yeah you may pull a napkin in a wedding reception but still.
When last was the Road March winning tune the most popular song for the season? - Historians looking back at 2014 may conclude that "Ministry of Road" by Machel Montano was the song that had the people going that year. They couldn't be more wrong. By a pretty wide margin, the 'it' song of 2014 was "Too Real" by Kerwin Du Bois. Similarly, the top 5 songs of 2012 couldn't smell Road March with Pinocchio's nose. The winner? "Pump Yuh Flag" - a song extolling the virtues of... pumping your flag. And again in 2011, "Wotless" by Kes was the soundtrack of our collective pump for that season only to be 'Advantaged' by Machel Montano's late release. And this is just 3 out of the last 4 years of Road March. Going back further, there are songs like "It's Carnival" featuring Destra and Machel, "Bonnie & Clyde" by Destra etc that are such classics that they still get played in fetes to this day and people assume them to be Road March winners. And do people remember the real winners or are those songs even played now? What do you think?
Carnival Monday and Tuesday is becoming a smaller and smaller part of Carnival - Long, long ago, in an island far far... ok I lie, in our island, road activities on a Monday and Tuesday were unequivocally the largest part of Carnival. While they are still the focal point and climax of our Carnival interaction, in recent times the clothes start coming off as early as September and even earlier. It's not uncommon now to even hear of a Band Launch quite in August. And in between, there are like ah zillion fetes that people attend and listen to music most of which are...NOT road march tunes. So tell me, what is the relevance of crowning a song as being popular for 2 days out of a 5 month period. What is the point? Just to give a man 'ah money'? Which brings me to my next point.
Too much corruption and 'bobol' - Now I'm not saying Road March is totally corrupt. If so then "Wild Antz" would certainly have been a Road March winner right? But at the same time, there are years that just can't be explained. For example, how does two songs get the exact same amount of plays across the country and tie for Road March? I can't see how that could happen even if you were aiming for that specific result. When you get down to the nitty gritty and I hate to break it to you, it's really the deejays that are casting votes. You the masquerader has a very limited say in the matter. Yeah they have to cater to the crowd but they are the ones lining up the selections and pressing the detonate button. Anyway, doh study me eh, Deejays are honourable men. They can't be influenced by petty bribes and such. They don't maintain biases against particular artistes and blackball men etc. They aren't ever lazy and just play the status quo.

So that's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. If you disagree feel free to 'cuss meh' or intellectually rebut me in the comments or pon Social Media when you share it. And most importantly, download the 'We Music' (powered by Trinidad Tunes) app and enjoy over 20,000 songs of Caribbean music, past and present on your Android phone (iPhone coming soon).

Hard Local Episode 2 (Skeeto)

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 14:38:00 +0000

Big tune. "Too Young". Doh stick

Hard Local episode 1

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 20:37:00 +0000

Yeah peeps, Da Face here.
I know I haven't posted in a long, long, way boy, real long time but I trini so I starting it back 'jus so'.
One of the things I want to do is showcase some of what I consider to be hard local tracks and I'm starting off things with this vibesy one from Flip and Fireball called "Street Life".

Listen and enjoy nuh...and share.
Look out for more frequent posts coming out as well. I'm going to be dropping some unreleased tracks to so yeah...stay tuned.

Cheese Pie and Pack Juice Lyrics

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 19:09:00 +0000

Some people have been asking for the lyrics for this song so I thought I'd make it available here. I also want to thank everyone contributing to the overwhelming positive response for putting such a trini pastime back in focus and for not being too big to join in the fun as we had plenty fun making both the song and the video.
Face out.

OFFICIAL VIDEO

LYRICS

Chorus

Cheese pie and pack juice
Cheese pie and pack juice
Is hunger with hard times
Thank God for cheap food
(x2)
Eat up your pie,
Drink up your juice,
Eat up your fish, beef, soya or aloo

Cheese pie and pack juice
Cheese pie and pack juice
Is hunger, hard times
Thank God for cheap food

[Trapstar]
Ok is pack juice with that cheese pie,
like 2 Chainz daz no lie,
Good eats and small change for breakfast
daz we style,
Pieman is where we lime,
whole team eating till de pie done,
your throat dry, my throat dry?
one juice left? Daz fight down (hah)
One ting about we if we eh eating doubles then we eating pie,
and ah got that tampico pack juice just in case your throat feeling dry,
and I'm on that isle,
Trinidad isle where de food so tasty,
cyah cook cause I late for work and I hungry so I moving hasty,
taxi stand ah by woodford square,
ah by the pieman in indepence,
small change go a long way and my pocket feeling independent,
Cheese pie with dat pack juice,
cheese pie with dat pack juice,
dis early morning my belly calling,
for cheese pie and that pack juice (Lord),
If you think I crazy I crazy but at least I full up,
on the track by the time I start I bet the hypeman screaming pull up (hah),
real talk daz real food, you full now? that real good,
think I cheap? you real rude,
You up dey, team moon

Chorus

[Da Face]
Is cheese pie and dat pack juice,
and dah orchard and ah pack soup,
and dat doubles on de corner where we liming,
girls wah get out ah timing,
spend my money for me? dey cyah do dat,
ah out on de beach wit a pie and sweet heart,
kfc too high so a lee dat ,
mih belly ha gas like a driving a tida,
now ah back to de ways and de days when ah gaze ah de page of republic reader,
pie in the morning, so hot, ah feel like mih mouth enclosed on a deeya,
so ah fold up,
ah want ice in a cold cup,
pack juice must float up,
so cool is de slogan,
rock back, and ah chewing on a joe gum,
so sharp like Logan,
cause de mark buss open,
pack juice must open,
like mih accent, so sweet and ah keep it local,
cheese pie on de vocals,
ask Wanke, daiy we focus,
if yuh doh know, then yuh dotish,
and ah reaching, fuh de coldest,
daz pack juice, in de ice box,
with a bess pie, dat right up,
and ah park up dey no parking notice,
men tie up like Martin Joseph,
money in dey hand and dey keep on spending,
and my own safe and me eh lending,
and is pack juice, to wash it down,
and now it cool, so dey rushing now

Chorus

[Mega]
With a cheese pie and a pack juice I have five dollars to spare,
let me think,
should I buy another cheese pie or maybe something bigger to drink?
Caribbean Cool or Minute Maid?
Forget dat yes gimme a next cheese pie,
Hmmm now ah under pressure, I didn't know dat man cheese pie so dry,
because I ask de pieman how the cheese is and he say it good,
so ah took ah bite and watch him and say if dat good I misunderstood,
the pieman pie so hard just get a cork ball and we could play some cricket,
want an official game? buy six more put dem in de ground we have two wickets,
that pieman wicked I gone yes, I going down by South Quay,
done which part de cheese pie not so hard and plus it cheesy,
so ah reach down and ah say lemme get one nah boss he tell me seven dollars,
ah thought ah saw ah sign,
so ah look up in the sky to see if it was changing colours,
the same time ah look up, ah see the moon and say "Houston, one to go",
the pieman still ha belly to ask if ah still want one so ah tell him no,
ah feel ah could go back and eat some dry dry and get cranky,
or better yet forget that nonsense pull de hook dey Wanke

Chorus

New Track

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 14:15:00 +0000

Download the track here: New Track

New Video - "Climb"

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 22:28:00 +0000

Watch/Comment/Share and oh yeah...DOWNLOAD KEEP IT TRINI Face out.

Keep It Trini

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 23:04:00 +0000

Hey folks, it's been a while. Since the last time I've released two free mixtapes that you've may not haven't heard yet and some videos you probably haven't yet watched. As a result let me get you up to speed. And remember, KEEP IT TRINI3 IS GOING TO BE RELEASED CHRISTMAS DAY ONLINE FOR FREE!!!! Yeah. Face out.

KEEP IT TRINI PT 1 FREE DOWNLOAD

KEEP IT TRINI PT 2 FREE DOWNLOAD

Incident On Synergy

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 07:00:00 +0000

As some of you may or may not know, I was scheduled to appear on Synergy twice last week. The first appearance was for an interview and performance on Jason's Synergy Wednesdays segment and the second was a full performance on Friday Nights live. This was the plan but things were thrown off course by some cellphone carrier cheese and I'm not talking about trouble with my phone.

For the Wednesday segment I performed the song "Stress" mainly in another attempt to get the video in Synergy rotation (I was unsuccessful but that's another story). The performance itself went well but problems arose because the last most compelling verse of "Stress" which I performed contained two apparently very damaging bars: "but ah try to reply but you know de style/ is no more credit from Bmobile". You can listen to the whole song below to get context.

Now the song is a storytelling track about university life and its stresses but the line in isolation was a problem because Digicel sponsored the show and apparently mentioning Bmobile is like saying Beetlejuice. No scene there. Wendell asked me if I was performing the song Friday and I said no since from long before I decided I would debut an entirely new track.

However, the debut wasn't meant to be. Friday around midday Wendell called and informed me that apparently word got to Bmobile about the performance and they were apparently toting over the fact that I said that my Bmobile phone had no more credit since that apparently is never supposed to happen and consequently it would be better that I don't perform in the said show since it was Bmobile-sponsored... dum dum dum.

Personally I don't feel no way about the whole situation. Carriers sponsor music programmes to photoshop their image and make people believe that they care about culture when their agenda is just one of promoting their brand to a target audience. I get that. I can get why Digicel would catch feelings. However, I can't understand why Bmobile would consider that line (when taken in context) offensive especially considering that it's a realistic situation. I've literally performed Stress over a hundred times and people who are hearing the track for the first time always go Destra for that line.

Since Friday, I've spoken with people on Facebook and they spout platitudes like "it's a business" and you have to "dress for success" and conform or whatever and while I understand where they're coming from, everyone especially artistes need to 'draw' their own line. This may come as a surprise to many but artistes don't get paid from Synergy appearances. I've made more money in profit from my first mixtape "Recession Music" as a 'nobody' than some artistes who have gotten radio play. My line comes in defending the integrity of my message for the sake of people who enjoy my music aka 'the fans' since they will outlive Synergy's tenure as the number one and currently only dedicated local music channel.

So in conclusion I would just like to also indicate that had they asked me not to perform "Stress" I would have complied. Had they asked me to perform the song but change the lyrics I would not have complied. And with the song being performed, with the cat already out of bag, I believe Bmobile shoulda just hold a burn since they didn't sponsor the segment and should have taken consolation in the fact that I wasn't going to perform the song in their segment. Everybody knows the network is shoddy anyway and the video for "Stress" has like almost 4500 views on youtube so if it was really carrier-kryptonite sufficient damage has already been done. And since they didn't hold a burn I will be using the experience as fuel for my upcoming mixtape Keep It Trini 2 (check the first one Keep It Trini). Face out.

New Video - "All The Things"

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Check out this new video via Detnator featuring me called "All The Things". The beat and video were both produced by Detnator. Trust me, it big. Face out.

The 2011 Soca Monarch Consolation Prizes

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Well soca monarch done so by now allyuh know de scene (if not check the results here). The two million was taken by Mr HD leaving many real bitter and sticky sticky (word to Kendall). Being the thoughtful and considerate person that I am though, I realise that a lot of people deserved special mention for their unique 'performances' and weren't rewarded via a two million purse or via some type of attention or notification. So in light of that, I present to you, the soca monarch consolation prizes.

1) The WTF award (Shurwayne Winchester) - Hoss, wah was dat dawg? Even actor dude from "The Wire" was hating and he not even from trini. Dem children coming out at the end was real Michael Jacksonesque too. (Special mention to Jahmoun for bringing on Macka Diamond...to wine???? Dude, ppl still in debate whether she's really a woman.)

2) The Mango Chow Fruitiness award (Peter Elias) - This man give realll trouble, even before he start to get frass. Quote of the night by dude - "I don't mean to be a pageant boy but..." Now as I say before, I not being homophobic eh but hossss...

3) The St Ans. Head gone award (Destra Garcia) - Mih girl performance start off in a bed and unfortunately never woke up after that. Strangely, instead of choosing to sing any of her power hits that people knew she decided to sing her pan song instead (??). Then when she realise the crowd was in statue mode, she trip out and proceeded to throw the biggest bf I've ever seen on local television. Her off-key actions included trying to get the crowd to chant "No Advantage" in an attempt to spite Machel, general toting about random mad ppl stuff onstage and running her own dancers off stage citing the fact that "odder people had to perform. I'm a huge fan of her eh but dat need some couch sessions.

4) The Word Vomit award (the young female presenter between performances)- Smallie definitely was a case for less is more. Her crimes included going several sentences of no interest without taking a breath, interrupting her male companion by the phrase (not even a complete sentence he got most times word to Jerome), replacing the trini word "picong" with her version "peacock" and attributing a hit song to Michelle Xavier (sorry Michelle yuh know de scn, collateral damage).

5) The Common Sense award (Ravi B) - Before mih boy even come on stage he was getting boo normel. I was smelling a Sonny Mann level bottle pelting in the vicinity but home boy maneuver through it well like POS traffic and even get the crowd to give a response albeit by invoking the name of Iwer. Still, I was disappointed by the missed irony of him receiving a bottle pelting so soon after requesting one in soca chutney frustration.Next time I guess.

6) The Anything Goes wotlessness award (Machel Montano) - The crowd wasn't really moving to HD so much initially despite some good props by mih boy so he decided to do something about it and go for the jugular on Bunji. The delivery was so so and the punchline was sloppily put together but the sentiment was something we've been whispering about years now...who really wearing de pants in dat relationship, eh?

7) The Indecent wotlessness award (All Rounder) - With a children hampering pants that probably had his boys in a vice grip (good ting he have children already eh), this guy proceeded to remove his jersey to reveal a netted or as a trini would say, "see through" vest underneath that revealed way to much of his 71 year old physique. And that was before he humped the ground vigorously while one of his danced gyrated on his back. Grampa wasn't easy at alllll.

8) Most Inappropriate Soca Soubriquet award (Blood) - "Blood" as a soca artiste name? Really hoss?

9) Let sleeping dogs lie award (Bunji) - So after Machel hit Bunji hard he came out to perform and just went crazy on de man. He didn't directly answer the question about who's the man in the relationship between he and Fay-Ann but he sure hit him hard in other ways. Thank you Machel for re-awaking the lyrical Bunji.

10) The fickleness award (Soca Monarch crowd) - One minute is Iwer, then Machel. Then dey booing Machel, then is Bunji, then Fay-Ann. Facebook views were way more streamlined by comparison but then again we were sober.

Some Tips For the 2011 Soca Monarch Front Runners

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 16:59:00 +0000

Ever since the soca monarch cash prize went bulimic and ballooned to 2 million TT it seems like everyone wants a piece. Ghost of soca monarchs past have re-emerged and steadfast principles have left quickly like patrons after a Machel performance. The semi-finals took place last weekend and coming out of that there have been some front runners, plenty ole talk and some of the bacchanal that we trinis like to see. As a trini, I believe I have some advice for the front-runners so if you want that stadium flag money listen close.

POWER SOCA ADVICE

Machel Montano - Machel you doing good but right now you too predictable. "Advantage" while a good song sounds like three other songs you had before but daz no scn, you could still take them. What we need though is a surprise, something like the rocket man in the first Alternative Concept or Wyclef roaring on the stage via a motorcycle for AC 5. Also play on the word "advantage"...some how.

Fay-Ann - Fay-Ann, soca monarch is your crowd and you're a descendant of royal soca legacy so keep working that. You're doing everything right so far so keep pumping.

Bunji - Bunji, we know your song is about fire but we need more fire from you. You do your best work when you're angry about something like "Fete is Fete" which could have been road march btw if everyone could have afforded to play mas but daz another story. Freestyle something too, attack somebody. And go at Machel, we all want to see you attack the king.

Destra - Destra, stop going on radio stations feeling sorry for yourself. We get it, you've been robbed in the past but oh gosh, move on nah. Then again, maybe you don't have to. If you can channel you inherent bitterness and bitchiness (your words not mine) then the spectacle will at least be legendary.

GROOVY SOCA ADVICE

Kes - Kes, groovy soca is basically yours. "Wotless" will be the song people remember when they think about 2011 and may even become your signature song after this. However, you need to step your game up dawg. Yuh cyah sing a song about wotlessness and be playing pretty boy ting on stage. Yuh ha to get dutty, remove them pretty backup dancers and get some more wotless ones. Plus is not about anyone, is about you. Remember you said it, "this year ah moving wotless". Don't just say it homie, do it.

Benjai - Benjai, you're a naturally charismatic fella, one who can perform in ah ole vest and still mash up any crowd. However dawg, yuh not going to win groovy like that but then ah not sure if you even care about winning. If you do, then any effort from you should give you the win as well, you know yuh song bess and everybody love it.

Destra - Same as before Destra. "Cool it down" is a bess song but your challenge is to try to embody the song by being the opposite of yourself...sweet. You still look good so try feminine it up and let de ppl like yuh.

Cassie - Right now mih boy, you are de dark horse in this race but trust me, you could take it. People might fight you down but your song authentic as hell and anybody who tief ah wine walking de road jouvert morning or Carnival Tuesday know bout dem "town ting". If you can sell dat authenticity properly you just might pull it from the thoroughbreds.

And iz dat. That's my advice for the Soca Monarch 2011. Much love to all the contestants and good luck to dem all. If you have any more advice, feel free to add it in the comments. Face out.

The Chuck Norris Laws (Trinidad Style)

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:14:00 +0000

If you're familiar with the original Chuck Norris internet scene then you know that Chuck Norris is a pretty strong guy who can do amazing things. Well, on Facebook a few weeks ago a friend of mine Kendall "Icekream" Arneaud decided to explore the Chuck Norris scene within a trini context and the results are below. Big up Q D Ross, Merriq Estates, Kendall, Baidawi and yours truly for contributions. Trust me, is reallll funny stuff.

1) Chuck Norris beats his steel pan with his bare knuckles.

2) When Chuck Norris puts on a bata bullet, it becomes a bata missile.

3) Chuck Norris told Bunji to change his name from fireman to waterboy...and he did

4) Chuck Norris' version of the dollar wine goes: cent, 5 cent, 10 cent, 100!

5) Chuck Norris kicks roast corn into chilli bibbi.

6) Buhwamoder sang slap chop for chuck Norris....Chuck Norris slapped him and chopped him

7) Bmobile gives Chuck Norris' phone reception everywhere.

8) The iPhone logo on Chuck Norris' cell has a capital I.

9) Chuck Norris finds Angostura bitters sweet.

10) TTT never signed off in Chuck Norris' house.

11) Chuck Norris orders his pepper with slight doubles

12) Iwer george wrote the hand hand hand song after receiving one slap from Chuck Norris

13) The strongman toffee was made of Chuck Norris' snat

14) When Chuck Norris waving a rag in a fete, Jamaica does be on hurricane watch.

15) For Chuck Norris, a trip to tobago is a 2 hour boat ride, 5 minute plane ride or 1 minute swim.

16) Chuck Norris still smokes weed in Globe

17) CHUCK NORRIS cud PLAY MAS cause POWDER fraid him!

18) What Chuck Norris considers to be wining low is what we call limbo.

19) You could actually get chook by Chuck Norris' bbm pin.

20) When Chuck Norris bowling the wicket keeper does stand up by the boundary.

21) Chuck Norris can tell you where the man with the hammer gone

22) The active ingredient that gives diana power mints their sting is Chuck Norris sweat.

23) If yuh spill puncheon Chuck Norris will rough you up for wasting chaser.

24) Chuck Norris posts status updates on a real wall.

25) Chuck Norris tweets with real birds

Ten Reasons Why Bad Soca Music Is YOUR Fault

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 10:54:00 +0000

1) You convinced Machel that Road March is more important than good music, the opposite of what he learned years ago.

2) You let Iwer George win road march with a song containing a chorus that mentions the word "hand" over 20 times.

3) You let ragga soca aka 'soca with lyrics' die rendering Bunji Garlin a fish out of water.

4) You robbed Destra Garcia at least one soca monarch and two road march titles.

5) You only now realised in 2011 that Benjai is a big artiste.

6) You let Chinese Laundry advantage KMC in years when he had several big tunes.

7) You let Shurwayne Winchester win road march twice with the same song.

8) You disapprove of chutney rum songs but support them under the influence of rum.

9) You support(ed) the trend of half-assed dancehall soca collaborations starting with "Rubber Waist" by Machel and Red Rat (yeah I liked that song but it was half-assed).

10) You let deejays not only control what gets played via the soca mafia but now make a hustle out of we music.

Da Face: Music Plans for 2k11

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 18:16:00 +0000

Hey folks was de scene. I haven't updated my blog in about two months being busy dropping my new mixtape "Recession Music 2" but all that's going to change this year. First off, I'm outlining my musical plans so you will know what to look out for. I have captured everything in a short video but if vids aren't your thing you can also catch the gist even further down.

1) Three free mixtapes in 2011 - you have to join the mailing list to access them though (check below)

2) A music video for "Born Smart" soon after carnival. It will most likely be done by Aaron "Tiny" Richards, the same guy who did the video for "Stress".

3) At least three shows from me. I'll still be in open mics across the country but those three shows will be my personal productions.

Yeah so that's it in a nutshell. Stay tuned for more updates. Face out.

Face Mondays 6: Trini Punchlines

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:05:00 +0000

For a rapper, it shows skill to be able to come up with the funniest, cleverest and most creative punchlines. On this track we do just that but trini style. If you're a trini then you know de scene already but if not then listen close and take in some of our expressions and culture. Also, check some of my songs below. Face out.

Face Mondays 5: Cartoon Rap

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 22:59:00 +0000

This week is all about the new song "Cartoon Rap". When it comes to music I like to do things different and this one definitely falls into that category. Next week we "Face Mondays" again in another different way.

Also, check out all the videos I have released so far below. Not slide-show eh, real ting.
Face out.

Face Mondays 4: More ting

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 18:00:00 +0000

Some men do tracks bout how much girl they pimp etc. Me? Nah. My new song is about all the girls I almost got. You know when you have the girl in the bag and some last minute chupidness mess everything up? Yeah, that's what I talking bout. So check it out, the brand new teaser for the song "Almost".

Also, my first mixtape Recession Music is online free to listen to and download so take it in. Check me on facebook every Monday for more updates and freeness. Face out.

Face Mondays 3: Hitchhiker's Guide to Uwi FREE!!!

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 11:57:00 +0000

Don't frighten, you read right. Hitchhiker's Guide to Uwi is going to be free for a limited time. Check how it's going down:

1) Free to listen until I release the next video single from my upcoming mixtape "Recession Music 2: Face Value".

2) If you wish to download the album, email your request to me at davidbchamilton@yahoo.com. I have the album in both mp3 and the higher quality flac format so you'll need to specify. If you don't, you'll get the mp3 version by default.

And without further ado, listen to the album below. Enjoy! Let me know what you think. Share if you like it most importantly, in your facebook, twitter, via email etc. Be trini (at least for a while if you aren't) and enjoy the freeness. Face out.

Face Mondays - A new track or video from Da Face every Monday morning

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 10:44:00 +0000

Hey folks, guess what? Mixtape done!!! Yeah man, the cover you see there is printing and all the music done mixed already and sounding good. Until my mixtape is released though I'm going to do something for the fans and help you all face Mondays.

Now I know how hard it is to face Mondays after the weekend so what I'm going to do is drop a new video or song every Monday morning so we can "Face Mondays" together. So stay tuned. And check out my first offering from "Face Mondays" below. Face out.

Outlish Post: How Trinidad got a summer

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:33:00 +0000

Yeah folks yuh know de ting. My second article on Outlish magazine titled "How Trinidad got a summer" (Read it here). Enjoy. Face out.

Uwi is a game video

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:59:00 +0000

This video has been out a while now on facebook and youtube but if for some reason you haven't caught it yet, tune in now and check it out. "Uwi is a game" is about people who are stuck in a university for years and just can't leave the lifestyle of girls, parties and liming behind and go into the real world. I tried something different with this video so I hope you enjoy it. Face out.

Frost Blaze - Live from the 868

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 23:41:00 +0000

"Live from the 868" is probably the baddest local album I've heard in years, no euphemism. In a year full of plenty good local releases, Frost Blaze's disc was the one that had me listening from the first track to the last track and then repeat...and then repeat again. If you don't know Frost Blaze he is a hard trini rapper or by his words - "a man not a manicou" and regularly "eats mcs like lappe and tatoo". When you listen to Frost Blaze you get it raw and trini to core no compromises.

And Frost Blaze keeps it raw right through. My favourite track "Welcome To Trinidad" features this introspective gem: "Until the babylon stop moving evil, till dem and mt hope stop killing ppl, easier for a politician to enter the kingdom through the eye of a needle than for I to go legal".

Other times as on "Hypnotize Me", he's running down a "Blanchisseuse Big Breed" which is a hilarious alliteration even before he notes that she's "thick like a sea moss with a linseed". On the other girl track "Move" featuring Bongah Chops and Chromatics, Chromatics steals the show talking bout a girl who has him "dribbling like Latapy" because of a bumper "you could use as ah arm rest". Nice.

Frost Blaze also produces every beat on the disc and his production fits his rap style to a tee; it's kinetic filled with plenty horns, congah drums that feel cluttered in a good way. Trust me people, for $40TT this is a bess deal. Get in Highway Records and cop this one time. You can check out more of Frost Blaze on his bandcamp page where you hear more tracks from the album. Face out.

New Free Mixtape from AceDot of SVTY: Partners In Crime

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:12:00 +0000

Hey folks, I want you all to check out this free mixtape from AceDot of SVTY. If you've been paying attention on facebook you would note that SVT has been making real noise on the book as of late and this one follows the trend.

Mih boy Ace blessed me with a spot on the tape so you can check me out there as well as features from St. Ans, Nem Red, Firestar, Sykaflo and many other hard local artistes. I've taken in the tape more than once already and trust me, it hard from start to finish. As a matter of fact, I find Ace shoulda had it on sale. Well, lucky for you it's free so don't stick and grab it here. Cool. Face out.

My first article for Outlish: The Art of Tiefin a Wine

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 09:28:00 +0000

Hey folks, do you remember when I told you about Outlish magazine before? Well I recently had my debut article published on the site so I encourage you to check it out. And after you do and you get a chance to browse all the other interesting articles there, I want you to subscribe so you can get articles from me and the other talented writers straight to your email weekly. Don't stick

Also, Recession Music 2 the sequel to my first mixtape will be out soon so stay tuned. Till then check out the article: The Art of Tiefin a Wine.

My Thoughts on the Rick Ross "Teflon Don"

noreply@blogger.com (David Hamilton) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:55:00 +0000

Rick Ross has certainly come a long way. The boss has always possessed an impeccable ear for beats and a booming vocal presence but his topics were trite, his flow was basic often drowned out totally by generic ad-libs and he was out-shined routinely on his albums by his features. Well he's still getting out-shined but at least his flow has dramatically improved now, to the point that they make of for his lack of variety in subject matter.

One thing I admire about Ross is that he has a highly accurate depiction of his artistic strengths and weaknesses; a valuable artistic gift that allows him to fill an album with complimentary guests that still outshine him in some cases and provide the lyrical variety that he lacks giving depth to his one-dimensional boasting. I've listened to "Teflon Don" a few times now and I've concluded it's his best as its has as much high points as "Deeper Than Rap" without the one or two filler songs towards the end. As usual heed the spoiler alert if you haven't heard the cd yet.

1) "I'm not a star" - Great intro. As usual he isn't saying anything deep or profound but his voice sounds great on the beat and his flow is nimble around the snares. Nice hype track(8/10).

2) "Free Mason feat Jayz" - Now much talk has been made about this song and on an unrelated note I want to say that I don't care about whether Jayz is a free mason or illuminati or whatever but I would like to hear him explain the "On To The Next One" video. In my opinion he didn't explain anything to me or change my opinions in any way. That aside, it's a pretty dope track with Ross sounding like he's saying something and Jay directly addressing the Free Mason 'rumours' in an expected but witty way. John Legend kills on the hook fitting the feel of the track perfectly. (8/10)

3) "Tears of Joy feat Cee-Lo" - This song is good in theory but I felt it didn't come together all that well. Seems disjointed but I give Ross kudos for trying some introspection. (7/10)

4) "Maybach Music III feat TI, Jadakiss and Erykah Badu" - With most sequels (Spiderman, Godfather etc) the third one falters and it seems so here but just by a little. Its bad still but somehow it doesn't seem the huge event that the others were despite the cast. (8/10)

5) "Live Fast, Die Young feat Kanye West" - This is my favourite track on the cd right now. Featuring a beat that sounds like a leftover from "College Dropout" (in a good way) and Ye spitting like he's still in that era... it's a win for me. Again, there isn't anything Ross says that resonates with me but he is able to gel his flow to the beat which is enough. (9/10)

6) "Super High feat Ne-Yo" - When this song dropped a month or so ago the beat stood out but by now it's a skip. Cliched vintage Ross lyrics plus an okay hook. (6.5/10)

7) "No.1 feat P. Diddy and Trey Songz" - This is a fun little nothing song that is only spoiled (a little) by the involvement of Diddy in it. It's positioning places it as a nice little intermission between the songs that preceded and the monsters that follow. (7.5/10)

8) "MC Hammer feat Gucci Mane" - This is a monster of a beat that Ross thrives on (think "Hustlin") and he absolutely destroys it based on delivery alone. The conceit is that he's living frivolously...like MC Hammer. It's a paper-thin concept that Ross lazily never bothers to expand much but it doesn't matter as his delivery alone makes the song. Gucci doesn't mess it up which is good for him. (9/10)

9) "B.M.F. (Blowin Money Fast) feat Styles P" - Lex Luger who produces "MC Hammer", also produces this song which give the illusion of a seamless move from track 8 to 9. Ross deals with this one as well but is showed up at the end by a grimey-sounding Styles P who boasts of having guns from the video game "Red Dead Redemption". Real bad. (9/10)

10) "Aston Martin Music feat Drake and Chrisette Michelle" - This is a nice laid back tune and sounds like something that belongs on Drake's album. Drake features here singing an extended part of the hook but isn't really needed and it seems like he was brought on for name recognition. Chrisette by herself kills on the hook and Ross holds his own by impressively fusing his delivery with the beat, which doesn't sound like anything he rapped on before. (9/10)

11) "All the money in the world feat Raphael Saadiq" - This song was kinda meh for me. It wasn't terrible but the beat is pretty generic-sounding especially following "Aston Martin Music". The hook is kinda meh too... I expected more from Saadiq. An ok closer I guess. (6/10)

And that's my rating. "Teflon Don" is a great album, one of the best for the year but not a classic. Let me hear what you think in the comments. Face out.