May 2025 - 50 Spoken Word Tracks, Anthologies and more

The Beautiful Virgin Islands (BVI)

Pulse Poetry Magazine
The May 2025 Edition of Pulse Poetry Magazine marked our one year anniversary. My poems, A Lit Candle and Literal Fire can be found on pages 10 and 11. Nelly Vee's poems are on pages 12-14.

Calling All Poets Series
The May 2, 2025 edition of Calling All Poets Series had feature readers Jared Harel, Nancy Shih-Knodel, and Kathy Welda.

VOICES UNBOUND (An International Anthology of Poetry)
My poem, I am a Butterfly, was selected for Voices Unbound.

Ode to Chocolate Anthology
My poem, Chocolate, was selected for the Ode to Chocolate Anthology. You can grab the Kindle or paperback version. Thanks to Tim Saunders for publishing my work.

Interview with West Indian Women Network
I was interviewed by the West Indian Women Network along with the first place winner of the
Tell Yuh Story Competition, Carlana Neverson. I placed second with my story, A Paltry Poultry Tale.

Caribbean Poetry Magazine
My poem, Carifesta X from 2008, was published by Caribbean Poetry Magazine.

Virgin Islands Artist Feature
May's featured artist was Lion Dre, a talented artist from St. Croix. He has shared his upcoming projects, inspiration and insights with me. He has new music on the way so please subscribe to his pages.

Like Naked Truths Anthology

Roses in Bloom, originally published by Micromance Magazine, has been published in the Like Naked Taunts anthology.

Cultivating Voices Poetry Wild Card Open Mic
On May 18, 2025, I shared the virtual stage with several talented poets at the Cultivating Voice Poetry Wild Card Open Mic. I'm on from 53:20 sharing two pieces, Velvet and If I Wrote You a Song.

Lost Love Anthology
My Poem, Deny, written in honor of my mother, was published in the Lost Love anthology compiled by Orenaug Mountain Publishing.

IPC Poetry Contest
I tied for second in the IPC Poetry Contest! The better news is that my entries were about two amazing poets, our very own talented Toyer Fahie, and Mike Jurkovic, Poet Laureate and part of the Calling All Poets Series team.

The Writer's Block Poetry Collective
On May 30, 2025, I was live on The Writer's Block Poetry Collective along with some other awesome poets including North Philly's Finest, Maya Da Bee, Ladycrucible MistressofMayhem, Heavenly Harmonies and Miriam Buttlerfly Hall.

Legendary Ink Spoken Word Collaborations

This month was amazing! I can't believe that we churned out 50 tracks. Thank you to Mario Franklin and Clarence Ferguson, Jr. for believing in me.

1. Take and Never Give: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/take-and-never-give-part-1-la-rabsatt-vocals
2. Stranger Moon: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/stranger-moon-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
3. Leave Me Alone: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/leave-me-alone-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
4. I'm Sorry: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/im-so-sorry-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
5. Shackled: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/shackled-part-1-l-a-rabsatt-c
6. My Calling: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/my-calling-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
7. Enigma: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/enigma-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
8. I Breathe You In: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/i-breathe-you-in-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
9. Hearts of Fire: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/hearts-of-fire-part-1-la-rabsatt-vocals
10. Your Heart Spoke My Name: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/your-heart-spoke-my-name-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
11. More Love: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/more-love-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
12. Serpent: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/serpent-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
13. Love Me: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/love-me-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
14. Dangerous Game: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/a-dangerous-game-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
15. Here Comes the Boom: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/here-comes-the-boom-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
16. Fake News: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/fake-news-part-2-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
17. Deep Inside: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/deep-inside-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
18. I'm No Devil: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/im-no-devil-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
19. Love Jones: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/love-jones-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
20. Kiss of Death: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/kiss-of-death-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
21. Fallen Sky: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/fallen-sky-la-rabsatt-vocals
22. Hearts of Fire: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/hearts-of-fire-remix-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
23. Death of Chivalry: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/death-of-chivalry-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
24. Sex Appeal: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/sex-appeal-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
25. Galaxy: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/galaxy-part-1-l-a-rabsatt-c
26. Here We Go Again: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/here-we-go-again-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
27. Oversexualized: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/oversexualized-part-1-l-a
28. Shattered: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/shattered-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
29. Watch Out for Witchcraft: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/watch-out-for-witchcraft-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
30. Half Crazy: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/half-crazy-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
31. Solid Gold: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/solid-gold-episode-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
32. Pray 4 Me: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/pray-4-me-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
33. Victim in the Mirror: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/victim-in-the-mirror-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
34. La Isla Bonita: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/la-isla-bonita-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
35. If I Wrote You a Song: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/if-i-wrote-you-a-song-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
36. Joined Together: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/joined-together-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
37. Calm and Collected: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/calm-and-collected-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
    
38. Raised by Wolves: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/raised-by-wolves-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
39. Single Flower: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/single-flower-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
40. Unearthly Love: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/unearthly-love-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
41. Clouds: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/clouds-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
42. Love Track: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/love-track-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
43. What You Bring to the Table: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/what-do-you-bring-to-the-table-la-rabsatt-vocals
44. Quiet Sorrow: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/quiet-sorrow-shattered-remix-la-rabsatt-vocals
45. Chained to Foolery: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/chained-to-foolery-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
46. Fragile: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/fragile-la-rabsatt-vocals
47. Fairweather Friend: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/fairweather-friend-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
48. Alone Together: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/alone-together-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
49. All Money Ain't Good Money: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/all-money-aint-good-money-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
50. Still Hurting: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/still-hurting-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals

New Poem: Housing Woes

singing toilet
hisses with no swishes

pop, drop, pop
the kitchen faucet murmurs

while the bathroom faucet
drips, drips, drips

clogged bathtub
holding all the hair in

it must be indoor weather season
my house has its own tornado of issues

© Linette Rabsatt 5-30-2025

Creative Waves Performance on May 31, 2025

Please visit the JR O'Neal Botanical Gardens between 4:00 to 7:00 pm and support this event. There will be lots of performances including poetry. Poets will have a station by the fountain where we will share poems. Toyer Fahie and I will share perform on the main stage around 6:15 pm.

Virgin Islands Music Spotlight: Lion Dre

Lion Dre

My featured artist for May is Lion Dre. The first track I heard from him was Ain Outchya, which featured Deh Wapp. Lion Dre is a rising talent with aspirations for greatness. These are his words.

Who is Lion Dre?

Lion Dre is from Saint Croix, US Virgin Islands, and I am a global, authentic, all-around VI artist. When I say VI, I mean not just the Virgin Islands, but versatile, international. I'm an all-around artist - I don't limit myself to one genre. I’m very humble and I'm that person in and out of the studio that you can depend on to get the job done.

Who's the team behind you?

My team consists of my whole village. They say it takes a village to raise a child; I’m in my 20s and realize it also takes a village to maintain an adult. That's the best way I could put it because independence is cool, but it's also cool to have codependence and know you have genuine people in your corner who support you. It’s not about the finances. It's more than that - just to have somebody believing in you and speaking life into you genuinely. My team consists of my whole village.

"Believe in yourself"

What inspired you to get into music?

I have a few inspirations including my father, Radio Andy. Radio Andy is his DJ and stage moniker. He was a person who walked around with a radio everywhere. He would have me as a baby in one hand and have his radio in the next hand. I feel like it's a genetic thing and it's just part of who I am naturally. While I was growing up, my father moved to the US and I would visit him during the summers. While visiting him, I was introduced to a lot of different music, whether it's old school reggae, 90s dance hall, dubs, and dubplates. He exposed me to different vibes like Mob Deep and other throwbacks.

Another one of my musical inspirations is a St. Croix artist named Dan Dadda. When I was in elementary school, I was exposed to his music and that's when I first realized that you could really be from home and actually make your own content. I have to 'big-up' Dan Dadda for that. 

Next is my need to just express myself. I have a love for creativity, so I felt like it allowed me to express how I feel without being fully outspoken about personal things.

What has been your greatest musical achievement thus far?

This question is the one that made me look at myself like, 'Hey, you need to work a little harder.' That's me being honest because right now my greatest achievement is radio play - hearing my song play on the radio. Recently, I dropped a single with Mayah V called Slip Inside and it has been streamed on WPFW Radio in Washington DC and London, UK based on the statistics. Right now, in 2025, that feels like one of my biggest accomplishments in music thus far - just radio play. So more to come!

Who do you listen to?

I listen to different genres. I don't limit myself but the two genres I listen to the most are hip hop and rap, and of course, dance hall because I’m from the Caribbean. For Dancehall, I listen to Popcaan because he has good vibes in his music. Another artist is Vybz Kartel even though every song is not for every occasion. I also listen to Massika, Prince Swanny, Chronic Law, and for the females, Shensea or Spice. For hip hop, it would be Lil Wayne, J. Cole, Meek Mill, Ace Hood, Tupac, Mob Deep, Gucci Mane, Kodak Black, and some Lil Durk. These are my go-to's.

Lion Dre performing

So what stage have you always dreamed of performing on?

In all honesty, I don't have a specific stage and I don't want to sound greedy, but I want to perform at all of them whether big or small. I could be on a big stage and not feel as much energy as performing for a birthday party. I feel like the size of the room doesn’t matter. It's all about the energy I receive and give back to the crowd reciprocally. Give me all the stages. I won't know until I experience it.

Who have you collaborated with?

Besides Mayah V, I have collaborated with Bloody Bear Bass, VI Jo, Michonde, Flizop, and Dapp Deh Youngin. I have some things on the way with stateside artists. I have collaborated with Tony La Clave from Maryland. He is originally from El Salvador so he's like that Latin - urban Latino. He doesn't limit himself either. He's very versatile as well and we’re working on a bilingual track called Patron. I have done some unique collaborations and I have more on the way.

In terms of international artists, who would who would you want to perform or write with?

Popcaan! It's funny because I originally started doing rap music and hip hop, but since we are versatile international - VI artists, we can’t limit ourselves. So, I have to say Popcaan. When I went through my little dark moments in life, Popcaan's music helped me get through some rough moments. I’m not just saying that to sound cool. I really mean it – his music helped me calm down my vibrations when I was going through some situations. So, I have to give Popcaan his credit. It's deeper than just music.

What are the plans for the rest of 2025?

With summer approaching and we're currently in May, the plans for the rest of 2025 include:

• We need to shoot more visuals and get more videos out there. People want to see the artists so I want to upload more content, whether reels or TikToks. It’s all part of the consistency. We have to shoot more visuals and upload more content.
• I want to drop a few projects, whether EPS, singles, or maybe an album.
• Last, but not least, I want to hit as many stages as possible, big or small. That's how we're looking for 2025.

What advice do you have for young people who are interested in music?

• Put God first because, in our reality, you can't do anything foundational or organic without putting God first.
• Stay true to yourself because you might be doing something to follow the crowd. But, is it really who you are or is it really for you? Is it made for you?
• Believe in yourself because you will have many days when people you expect support from may not be able to show up based on circumstances. It's going to take that self-driven fueling in you to keep things going.
• Wait your turn because you might be working hard and not get the recognition you deserve. But guess what? Today for me, tomorrow for you.
• Stay consistent because what you do regularly matters more than what you do once in every blue moon.

Lion Dre

Please share something with the readers that most people don't know about you

Honestly, I can't live without music. Music makes everything easier for me, whether writing an essay, washing the dishes, or cleaning the house. If I don't have music, I feel I will lose my mind. Honestly, I don't want to sound crazy saying that, but it helped me in my roughest moments. It uplifts me in every other way. It's a listening ear when I can't vent to people, whether it’s an instrumental I’m speaking to. People may figure it out knowing I'm passionate about it, but I want them to know it's really that serious. I can't live without music for real.

Who would you like to shout out?

Shout out to my mother, my father, Radio Andy, my manager, Gino, and my right-hand brethren Ash. Shout out to my production team, BSG Ent (Buildin Sumtin Great), and the whole rest of the family.

"Stay consistent"

Is there anything else that you’d like to share?
I recently released a Shake It To The Max (LionMix), but it doesn't have original instrumentals so I haven't been posting it widely. It hasn't been posted mainstream, but it's still out there. I have other singles on the way and a project as well. Aside from that, I'm working on a few visuals right now and I have some other things on the way.

I just want the world to know, like honestly, I've been doing music for a while and I waited my turn for years and I just humbly want to say it's really my turn now. I ain't coming to take nobody's spotlight from them. We all can shine. They shine, you shine, he shines, she shines, we all shine. But it's Lion Dre’s turn now.

*****

As Lion Dre shared in the article, he has lots more to come. He's ready to shine and bless the world with his powerful voice, inspiring thoughts and amazing talent.

April 2025 - New Collaborations and Content

April is National Poetry Month (US). It was an interesting month. I had quite a few rejections from publishers. However, as my granny would have said - when one door closes, another opens. I linked with two extraordinary poets and I am enjoying creating spoken word recordings. Also, I participated in a poetry challenge in Papi's Poetry Corner MVP which required poets to post a video daily. I was inspired and started sharing daily poetry reels on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Here's my April report.

Everscribe Magazine
My poem, Needing Someone, has been published in Issue No. 7, Littera Novus, of Everscribe Magazine. It’s on page 58. https://everscribemag.com/issue-7

Pulse Poetry Magazine
The April 2025 issue of Pulse Poetry Magazine features I Owe a Poem on page 5 and Fears on pages 11 and 12. Other Virgin Islands poets include Akin Chinnery of page 4, Toyer Fahie on page 17 and Nelly Vee on pages 24, 25 and 26.

Calling All Poets Series
April 4, 2025: The April 4 edition of Calling All Poets Series online reading had feature performances by Janet Kaplan and Ethan Sirotko. I shared hollow grave and a lit candle during the open mic.

The Fertile Brains
April 6, 2025: I shared Healthy Choices - Healthy Community at this reading.

Cultivating Voices Live Poetry
April 6, 2025: The features were Pam Muller, Rachael Stanley and Damien Donnelly. I shared Some Memories Fade during the open mic section.

Micromance Magazine Poetry Month Feature
Micromance Magazine featured me for National Poetry Month. Hear my story, insights and words of encouragement to writers. There’s also a new poem inspired by an ekphrastic prompt from Allie Poetry.

Artist Feature
Ramon G: Shout out to Ramon G for sharing his knowledge, insights and words of wisdom with me! 
I-Bari: Shout out to I-Bari for agreeing to be interviewed and sharing his personal insights.

Tell Yuh Story - 2nd Place
I placed 2nd in the West Indian Woman Network’s Tell Yuh Story competition held on March 20, 2025. My story, A Paltry Poultry Tale, is about the chickens that visit my yard. Let me know what you think of the story!

St. Petersburg Library System
St. Petersburg Library System shared my poem, Bookshelf for National Poetry Month and National Library Week.

Silence is Consent
Three of my poems were selected for this anthology, Time to Act, Still Buzzing and Accept the Exception.

The Zest of Lemon
My poem, Drive, was selected for The Zest of Lemon anthology.

Pour Your Heart Out Open Mic
I performed at the Pour Your Heart Out Open Mic on April 24, 2025 along Kevin Grant, Emanual Cole and other awesome poets. I shared Have You Heard.

Let's Po-et

I shared the virtual stage with the talented Nita Chase on her show, Let's Po-et on April 26, 2025. Of course, Stephanie Piper and Nuri Desvigne brought their usual positive energy to the stage.

Sense and Sensibility
One of my haikus was selected for the Sense and Sensibility Haiku Journal.

Legendary Ink Recordings
I collaborated with Mario Franklin and Clarence Ferguson Jr on some poetry tracks. I love that we are not in the same part of the world but have been able to meld our voices to create these collaborative peices.

1. Maybe Tomorrow: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/maybe-tomorrow-the-infamous-strategy-la-rabsatt-vocals
2. Love Birds: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/love-birds-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
3. Hollow Grave: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/hollow-grave-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music
4. Fallen: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/fallen-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
5. Wolf and Moon: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/wolf-and-moon-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
6. Share My Love: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/share-my-love-part-1-c-double34-music-la-rabsatt-vocals
7. Guilty: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/guilty-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
8. The World is Yours: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/the-world-is-yours-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
9. You Can't Buy My Love: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/you-cant-buy-my-love-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
10. Lionesses Uncaged, Volume 3, On The Loose Cypher Intro: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/lionesses-uncaged-volume-3-on-the-loose-cypher-intro-presented-by-c-double34-music-98134-bpm
11. I Wish It Would Rain: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/i-wish-it-would-rain-legendary-ink-vocals
12. Since I Lost My Baby: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/since-i-lost-my-baby-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
13. Slither: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/slither-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
14. Idle Hands: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/idle-hands-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
15. You're Beautiful: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/youre-beautiful-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
16. Someone to Love: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/someone-to-love-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
17. Heating Up: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/heating-up-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
18. Broken Glass: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/broken-glass-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
19. Stop Disrespecting Yourself for Likes: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/stop-disrespecting-yourself-for-likes-part-1-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
20. Harmonizing Ecstasy: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/harmonizing-ecstasy-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
21. Love No More: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/love-no-more-la-rabsatt-vocals
22. Let Me Stay on Your Mind: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/let-me-stay-on-your-mind-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
23. Voices in My Head: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/the-voices-in-my-head-la-rabsatt-vocals
24. Love's A Gamble: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/loves-a-gamble-la-rabsatt-c-double34-music-vocals
25. Do What I Gotta Do: https://soundcloud.com/clarencefergusonjr/do-what-i-gotta-do-l-a-rabsatt

New Poem

This poem was inspired by a prompt from Allie Poetry on Facebook.

Take Your Flowers

this orange carnation

is just a gift

a metaphor

of the fixation

that I’ve had on you

an abnormal cliché

for me just to say

that you are unique

and all the critiques

don’t measure up

they’re just jealous

but I think you’re luscious

and just what I need

in my life

let me be your wife

and love you

intensely

not just for one day

but forever

© Linette Rabsatt 4-30-2025

I hope to continue inspiring the world with my words!

Meet I-Bari - A Multi-Talented Virgin Islands Artist

I-Bari is an extremely talented Virgin Islander. He shared his background, accomplishments and future musical plans with me. These are his words.

--

Who is I-Bari?

I-Bari is a creative being from the Virgin Islands by way of Saint Kitts. I ain't nobody special – pun intended. My first album is entitled, Nobody Special. I have shirts branded Nobody Special, and ladies would stop me and say no. I tell them it’s just sarcasm.

Who is the team behind you?

I have a collective of individuals that I reach out to when I need to get stuff done, but I wouldn't say that I have a specific team in place. I wish to shout out to Scrouge, Octavia, Shawn, and Rashidi. I would say I don't have an effective team structure concrete yet. It's pretty much just me, doing what I can and using the resources that I have at my disposal at this time. I also want to shout to Mckenzie Baltimore aka Kenzie B-More, and his uncle, Colin.

Quote: Be yourself as much as you can in every instance.

What inspired you to get into music
I feel music was one of the best ways I could find not to communicate because I think I'm well-spoken, but music is my way to commune with people and resonate with them. I think that's the less narcissistic answer. The more narcissistic answer is that I want attention and I feel that was a good way of getting it. I think that most entertainers desire attention on some level mentally. If you didn't want attention, you would do it at home in the mirror. Anyone in the entertainment business who says they don't want attention is lying to a certain extent - which is crazy because I want attention; yet, I also don't want any attention.

Tell me about your musical journey
I put out my first 4 track EP in high school in 10th grade entitled, The Project: Part 1. It was executive produced by Malvern Gumbs. Shout out to Malvern and my father. It did pretty well. I wrote all my songs, except two. My father wrote one Best Friend and my good friend Serge Brooks wrote part of Can't Get Hooked. I was also doing the artist thing from that point on. I have songs I wrote and shared on Reverb Nation, SoundCloud, and Bandcamp. 

Scrouge, who I went to school with, was my manager, and he recognized my capabilities. We both were in the marching band. I was in the first VI Teen Idol competition that they had. I was up against Empire aka Sickalous and I lost. R. City flew in to judge the event. I performed my songs in that competition.

One of my best and most notable soca songs was Know De Face by Marvay which garnered over 3 million views on YouTube, probably a year after it came out. When I went to college at Georgia State University, I met a guy from Florida and I told him about that song. He was intrigued because he heard it at a Memorial Day Parade.

 

Quote: Do things that scare you.

What has been your greatest musical achievement so far?
When I consider what I have done in comparison to what I know I could accomplish, it does feel like literally nothing. However, I've written for Destra Garcia, Alison Hinds, Tian Winter, Farmer Nappy, and other big names from across the Caribbean.

My biggest achievement was the 2023 Houston Reggae Festival where I performed in front of over 10,000 people. It was a big thing for me because it was one of the biggest audiences I've ever performed for. It felt good. It felt natural. It didn't feel like how they said it would feel when you stand in front of a crowd of that size.

Who do you listen to?
I listen to a lot of different genres of music - a lot of different styles of music. I'm very heavy on the indie alternative end of the spectrum, like Phoebe Bridgers. This one song came out the other day from Charlotte Lawrence called Collateral. I ran that song for three days on repeat, back-to-back. I'm very heavy on the indie alternative spectrum, and when I'm not doing that, I'd probably say that Afrobeat is the next heaviest genre I listen to. However, it varies.

Normally, I try not to listen to artists creating music in the same genre. I'm trying to focus on soca and Afrobeat right now so I do not listen to that much soca from other artists. Also, I feel I write the best soca music when I listen to other genres of music. Other genres influence the best soca.

Quote: Be hard on yourself. But also, don't be hard on yourself.

What stage have you always dreamed of performing on?
I want to perform on Saturday Night Live, Jimmy Kimmel Live, or Tiny Desk. I probably would do soca to show the similarities between soca and popular music, because I feel soca is our pop. It's not always a party or a wuk-up jam. I like artists like Michael Teja, Patrice Roberts, and Teddyson John. Teddyson John creates music outside of the regular realm thematically to what you'd hear in soca. That's an approach that I try to make with my music as well.

What other artists have you collaborated with?
I did a song called De Vez en Cuando with Garcia. I did that in Colombia in 2017. I wanted to learn more Spanish, and on that visit, I found some great connections there including Grammy-nominated producers and engineers, songwriters, and Latin Grammy winners. I met Garcia and he was working on a song. I asked if he wanted a feature and I happily consented.

I didn’t personally know any of the people who brought me to the studio. One of them had added me on social media a couple of months before I went to Colombia. When I went there, I asked where I could do some recording. He told me to come through and I met everybody, including Garcia, there for the first time. I think that song with Garcia was probably one of my favorite features. Shout out to Garcia. He also went on to become one of the mixing engineers that I use. I guess that's a part of the team or conglomerate. He mixed Mine Tonight, which I feel is one of my best mixed and charting records, and Gimme Gimme featuring Deem.

What international artists would you like to perform or write with?
Johnny Drille would probably be amazing. Johnny Drille is classified as an Afrobeat artist, but he's an amazing creative who does Afrobeat from time to time. He released an album a couple of years ago and he did something that I am trying to do as well. He did an Afrobeat album that captured every popular genre of music with African influence. They called it Afrobeat, but it wasn't. It was rock. It was soft rock. It was rap. It was dancehall. I feel like he's an eclectic type, multi-faceted artist, as I see myself to be as well.

What are the plans for 2025?
I'm trying to find my crowd and solidify myself in the soca market as an artist. I have my placements and credentials as a writer, but I need to shift the perception of me as a creative as a whole. I want to be recognized as a singer, as opposed to a songwriter.

What advice do you have for young people who are interested in music?
For what purpose are you interested in music? Do you want to be an artist or perform music for people? Do you like writing songs or do you just really like music? These are two different things. If you want to be successful in a musical profession, I would say be objective. Learn to be objective.

Learn to hear what other people are doing versus what you are doing. Be able to discern what you want to sacrifice to reach that codec of the person who is charting or successful. That's all it is - fitting a codec to get into the algorithm and get your stuff shared and publicized at the highest level.

Quote: Be objective. Create and have fun creating.

Can you share something that most people wouldn't know about you?
I find most person-to-person interactions overwhelming and or taxing. People think I'm this big, sociable, bubbly guy and it's a lie. Most of my closest friends would attest to this. I can sit down in your space and not talk for 10 minutes until I realize there is another human there. Most things give me anxiety, to be honest with you, especially in terms of interacting with other people, which is why it's funny.

Do you have any new music out this year?
I feel like the most exciting one that I have out is called Sugar (Sweet Meh). I'm excited because for a while I've had success as a songwriter and I feel like people don't respect songwriters as much. I feel they question, ‘if you write so many hit songs, why you don't write for yourself?’

I have a bit of self-sabotage in me that I've been trying to root out. The last big song I think I wrote before Sugar (Sweet Meh) was Favorite Song by WiLDXFiRE and I-Bari. He's from New York by way of Trinidad and St. Vincent. When I wrote that song, I found that people liked it. I told myself I can write like this. You want me to sweet up a girl in a song? I love sweetening up girls in songs. That's my favorite thing to do.

I decided to create the song and I knew that people would think I did the vocals. However, my voice is not on Favorite Song. WiLDXFiRE and I share such a similar tone, and he does well in terms of executing a demo the way it was sent and then making it better.

Now, I need to put myself in a space where I use the same process to create songs. I have some songs, Red Flag Fete and Feel Like Fete. I love feting apparently! I wrote Red Flag Fete in conjunction with Sisa. These collaborations help me understand how these artists define their checklist for a hit. I take that rubric and use it to write something for me. 

I wrote Sugar (Sweet Meh) in the car to no music. I remember the first line was ‘sugar honey iced tea. You're so sweet. Come like you just bathe up in all three.’

Then, I started writing the verse and framed the story afterward. I decided the song would be better in with the verse I wrote first as the second verse. Then, I wrote the first verse and then the chorus. I did that with the framework of Favorite Song. Sugar (Sweet Meh) is already out on the platforms.

 

Quote: Do things that get your heart racing and anxious.

When did you start writing for other artists?
The first artist I wrote for was in 2012 and that’s Tian Winter. The song's name is On Fire. It's like a pop-soca mix, like a soca-pop vibe. Shout out to Scrouge. Scrouge was my manager at the time. Scrouge is another amazing artist from the Virgin Islands. He's probably a mixture of Groovy and Power Soca. He was my manager and was in contact with Jamall Miller, aka Culcha Da Voice. Culcha was writing songs for but needed help because he couldn't sing.

Culcha sent me a song and asked if I could create the demo, and if I had any changes to make them. I made some changes, I sent it back and he loved the finished product. Culcha continued to send me songs and we began writing partners as The Seventh Wing.

 

Quote: Just because something is scary doesn't mean you should pack it up and go home.

Is there anything else that you want to share with my readers?
If you have an interest or passion for thoughtfully crafted Caribbean music, I implore you to follow me on social media and streaming platforms. This is where it might get a bit tricky. I-Bari is my name. I spell it phonetically as EYEBAREYE for my social media and I-Bari for my Soca/Afrobeat style releases on streaming platforms.

I saw an interview recently with Adam O speaking about being in the big leagues and how it is performing in front of big crowds. Adam O was basically saying if you're not ready, you should pack it up and go home. I don't agree. Do things that scare you, because sometimes, scary things are the things that will make your life worthwhile, and will put you in different positions.

Remember, follow I-Bari on all platforms as @EYEBAREYE. He has a lot of great music to share with us!