When you release Part 1 of something, a Part 2 has to follow. When I published my August 3, 2020 blog post, "Seven Hot Songs Released in 2020 to Keep on Your Playlist - Part 1," I felt that a wealth of musical creativity was blooming. To close out 2020, I have compiled a list of songs of various genres and styles that bring different messages and encourage us to love, laugh, live, stand up, and take action. Music influences, entertains, riles up, calms down, and touches our soul.
I am familiar with most of the artists, but I am a fan of the oldies. However, I try to stay updated on new trends in music. I first heard Kendake, Kevykevnow, and Banco Bizmol in the BVI's Department of Youth Affairs and Sports' Rap Battle. My children introduced me to BuGgz Blasé, V.I. General and Shawndehrapper who won the Stop the Violence Rap Competition.
I am an avid soca lover, so I always check to see what Patrice Roberts, Machel Montano, and the other top artists release. Of course, I will never publish a list without reggae music, and I had to include Niyorah from the United States Virgin Islands and Tarrus Riley from Jamaica. While the BVI did not host a traditional festival celebration in 2020, I wanted to highlight songs from a few local bands.
BVI 2020 Festival Songs Recap
"Lighter" by Tarrus Riley featuring Shenseea and Rvssian
"Stop The Violence" by Shawndehrapper
BVI 2020 Festival Songs Recap
While we did not have a traditional festival, several bands created songs that would have brought hyped contention for the 2020 Road March title. VIBE brought us "Show Me What You Got," All Bout Music Entertainment "ABM" came with "Tha Style," and Our Music Group "OMG" sang "TSA Precheck." All the songs brought what revelers and troupes would have wanted, and the local radio stations have kept these tracks in rotation.
2020 Hits to Keep on Replay
"Lighters Up" by Kendake
I find Kendake to be a powerful lyricist who knows how to flow her words. After seeing her perform in the Rap Battle, I wanted to hear more from her, and I would always comment these words when her name came up. She was the only female in the competition and made it to the final round. In "Lighters Up," she chants, "Really doesn't matter as long as you run your race, and put yourself in the place to receive everything great." I truly hope to continue to hear more great music from her.
"Beautiful Soul" by Niyorah
Niyorah is one of my favorite USVI Reggae artists. His music always has a positive message and never disappoints. When I first heard "Beautiful Soul," I had to listen to it twice because it was so mellow and uplifting. You can easily relax and unwind and listen to him singing, "You are a beautiful soul, just take one step at a time, in everything, God is control, just take one step at a time."
"Hakuna Matata" by Banco Bizmol
Banco Bizmol, also known as Pep Dawg, was the winner of the 2020 DYAS Rap Battle. Hype, intense, creative, and energetic are just a few words I will use to describe his performance style. He is super-confident and handles his words well. "I screaming Hakuna Matata cause I got no worries, I stacking my pesos to put my mama in a casa, when I need to work, I call up the plug...I had the rags then I get riches and now a n**** living proper, my pockets only get fatter, I get dirty for mine, ain't no 9 to 5, I been on the grind, I stacking money like I building a pile..." are a snippet of the lyrics.
2020 Hits to Keep on Replay
"Lighters Up" by Kendake
I find Kendake to be a powerful lyricist who knows how to flow her words. After seeing her perform in the Rap Battle, I wanted to hear more from her, and I would always comment these words when her name came up. She was the only female in the competition and made it to the final round. In "Lighters Up," she chants, "Really doesn't matter as long as you run your race, and put yourself in the place to receive everything great." I truly hope to continue to hear more great music from her.
"Beautiful Soul" by Niyorah
Niyorah is one of my favorite USVI Reggae artists. His music always has a positive message and never disappoints. When I first heard "Beautiful Soul," I had to listen to it twice because it was so mellow and uplifting. You can easily relax and unwind and listen to him singing, "You are a beautiful soul, just take one step at a time, in everything, God is control, just take one step at a time."
"Hakuna Matata" by Banco Bizmol
Banco Bizmol, also known as Pep Dawg, was the winner of the 2020 DYAS Rap Battle. Hype, intense, creative, and energetic are just a few words I will use to describe his performance style. He is super-confident and handles his words well. "I screaming Hakuna Matata cause I got no worries, I stacking my pesos to put my mama in a casa, when I need to work, I call up the plug...I had the rags then I get riches and now a n**** living proper, my pockets only get fatter, I get dirty for mine, ain't no 9 to 5, I been on the grind, I stacking money like I building a pile..." are a snippet of the lyrics.
"Pray For Me" by Wildlife featuring Priceless
"I know they pray for me, out in these streets trying to stack up these commas, I know they pray for me..." are the opening lines of this song by Wildlife featuring Priceless. Priceless adds, "I know my momma pray for me every night, I hear her talking to God, I know the streets can get dangerous, that's why I pray for my dogs." This duo reflects their acknowledgement for the Most High in this inspirational track.
"If Jah" by NJAR
NJAR is no stranger to the Virgin Islands music scene. "If Jah" is an inspirational track which incorporates the hook, "If Jah is standing by my side, then why should I be afraid" from Tony Rebel's "If Jah/Jah is by My Side. NJAR chants, "This is not an easy road, sometimes we feel like giving up, who feels it knows...is when you dig deep, you gonna find some things...."
"Laugh Now, Cry Later" by Drake and Lil Durk
Drake has been a mover in the Hip Hop genre and this track shows his continued versatility and longevity. Drake raps, "When he tell the story, that's not how it went, Know they be lyin', a hundred percent, Moved out the Ritz and forgot 'bout the Bent', Valet just called me to tell me come get it." Lil Durk, known for "Locked Up" and who recently released the "The Voice," adds "Bring Drake to the hood, surround Drake around Dracs, Even though I got a case, I'ma do what it take, And I never been embraced, And the money's hard to make, So I bet they on they face right now."
"I know they pray for me, out in these streets trying to stack up these commas, I know they pray for me..." are the opening lines of this song by Wildlife featuring Priceless. Priceless adds, "I know my momma pray for me every night, I hear her talking to God, I know the streets can get dangerous, that's why I pray for my dogs." This duo reflects their acknowledgement for the Most High in this inspirational track.
"If Jah" by NJAR
NJAR is no stranger to the Virgin Islands music scene. "If Jah" is an inspirational track which incorporates the hook, "If Jah is standing by my side, then why should I be afraid" from Tony Rebel's "If Jah/Jah is by My Side. NJAR chants, "This is not an easy road, sometimes we feel like giving up, who feels it knows...is when you dig deep, you gonna find some things...."
"Laugh Now, Cry Later" by Drake and Lil Durk
Drake has been a mover in the Hip Hop genre and this track shows his continued versatility and longevity. Drake raps, "When he tell the story, that's not how it went, Know they be lyin', a hundred percent, Moved out the Ritz and forgot 'bout the Bent', Valet just called me to tell me come get it." Lil Durk, known for "Locked Up" and who recently released the "The Voice," adds "Bring Drake to the hood, surround Drake around Dracs, Even though I got a case, I'ma do what it take, And I never been embraced, And the money's hard to make, So I bet they on they face right now."
"Tender" by Patrice Roberts
Patrice Roberts is a female soca icon and can be named among the greats such as Denise Belfon and Alison Hinds. Some of her recent hits include "Carry On" on the Pop's Guitar Riddim and "Into You" on the 10X Riddim; and "Tender" on the Tender Touch Riddim is surely another hit for 2021. In a soulful soca vibe, Patrice sings "If I give you all my love, then would you treasure? Would you cherish and never let me go? Cause you na go find someone to love you better, if a one thing there for certain, I want you."
I saw this song in my YouTube feed and I was curious because the name is a common children's song. It is quite catchy. A snippet of the lyrics is "I've been praying to a thousand different stars, To a thousand different arms 'til I found you, I've been chasing 'bout a thousand different hearts, For a thousand million hours, now I've found you...."Patrice Roberts is a female soca icon and can be named among the greats such as Denise Belfon and Alison Hinds. Some of her recent hits include "Carry On" on the Pop's Guitar Riddim and "Into You" on the 10X Riddim; and "Tender" on the Tender Touch Riddim is surely another hit for 2021. In a soulful soca vibe, Patrice sings "If I give you all my love, then would you treasure? Would you cherish and never let me go? Cause you na go find someone to love you better, if a one thing there for certain, I want you."
"High Life" by Machel Montano
Machel Montano is one of the biggest soca artists in the world. He started performing as a child and continues to move crowds and influence soca trends worldwide. Machel has collaborated with Doug E. Fresh, Beenie Man, Skinny Fabulous and many others. "It's all about high life, we vibrating on, a high frequency, vibrating on, a high energy, we coming to you live with a bag of good vibes" are a sample of the lyrics in this 2021 soca track.
Machel Montano is one of the biggest soca artists in the world. He started performing as a child and continues to move crowds and influence soca trends worldwide. Machel has collaborated with Doug E. Fresh, Beenie Man, Skinny Fabulous and many others. "It's all about high life, we vibrating on, a high frequency, vibrating on, a high energy, we coming to you live with a bag of good vibes" are a sample of the lyrics in this 2021 soca track.
"Lighter" by Tarrus Riley featuring Shenseea and Rvssian
Tarrus Riley is currently one of the top reggae artists who has numerous hits including "Superman," "She's Royal," "Cold Kisses," and "Getty Getty No Wantee." Shenseea, an upcoming female artist, starts off this song with "Baby, when the bright lights start to fade, fire up your lighter, Float on with the waves, You make me feel lighter...." Tarrus chimes in with "Endless loving and it cyan expire, Ah who seh Jah Jah never answer prayer? Yuh know seh yuh have di loving fi mi body when yuh hold me, And if yuh call me, we go home."
"Upgraded" by BuGgz Blasé and V.I. General
BuGgz Blasé is a vocalist in ABM and is also a rapper. In "Upgraded," he chants "Flow so much like I liming, ain't my wave to be riding, ball like Mike in the gym, dog, but the punchlines hit them like Tyson...." V.I. General has several other tracks including "My Fav" and "Settle Down." He adds to the track, "They try kill my vibe, they won't get no bly... man, I wonder why, I don't need a scope, I can take them all through the sites...."
"Like Mee" by KevyKevNow
BuGgz Blasé is a vocalist in ABM and is also a rapper. In "Upgraded," he chants "Flow so much like I liming, ain't my wave to be riding, ball like Mike in the gym, dog, but the punchlines hit them like Tyson...." V.I. General has several other tracks including "My Fav" and "Settle Down." He adds to the track, "They try kill my vibe, they won't get no bly... man, I wonder why, I don't need a scope, I can take them all through the sites...."
"Like Mee" by KevyKevNow
"Who you know drip like me?" "Like Mee" shows the rapper's ability to flow consistently on an uptempo instrumental, making this an enjoyable performance. His opening rap is "Young KevyKev and I fresh than a mother son, dress to impress when I come around, if you think you bad, better simmer down, I can see it in your eyes that you been a clown...."
"My Heart" by ABM
"My Heart" by ABM
"My Heart" is from ABM, who brought us "Tha Style." IJ is the singer on this groovy track, and he croons about the woman that has taken his heart. He sings, "I just wanna hold you close, Your body is so amazin, let's dance the night away, come spend your life with me, I just wanna give you some loving, I just wanna know if you feeling me...."
"Stop The Violence" by Shawndehrapper
Shawndehrapper is a high school student who has amazing athletic and musical potential. He participated in the recent Rap Battle and went up against adults and some veteran performers. His lyrics ask us to stop the violence in the community: "We together like Myron, Jumping hurdles - Kyron, do wah I say like Simon, Simon say stop the violence."
Artists to Look out For in 2021
Shiloh and Shedien also have some exciting gospel music coming for 2021. This husband and wife duo are awarding-winning Gospel artists who bring life and energy into their stage performance as they praise God. One of their upcoming tracks is "Praise the Lord" based on Psalm 150.
Other artists to look out for: UYG Flizop and PNut Deh REal Nutt "PNDRN" from the US Virgin Islands, and Jefé Tunez, Killa Tooma, Arkyy, and youngsters, Khoy Don and YOHKEM from the British Virgin Islands.
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