Music Around the World: Barbados

Hey, welcome back to our Musical World Tour! Today, we're visiting the Caribbean island nation of Barbados. Known for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, being the birthplace of rum, and fantastic food, Barbados has a thriving musical scene that you may be more familiar with than you initially thought. Here's our traditional info dump to prepare us to learn about this country:

-Capital City: Bridgetown

-Official Language: English

-Government: Unitary parliamentary republic, currently under the leadership of President Sandra Mason & Prime Minister Mia Mottley

-Barbados was settled as a British colony in 1627; became a part of the West Indies Federation in January 1958; declared sovereignty from Great Britain in November 1966; was admitted into the UN in December 1966; joined CARICOM in August 1973; and established their current republic in November 2021

-Land Area: 169 square miles (183rd largest nation in the world)

-Population: 281,998 estimated as of 2023 (174th most populous nation in the world)

-Religion: 75.6% Christian; 20.6% no religious affiliation; 2.0% Bahá'í Faith; 1.1% Hindi; 0.7% other religious affiliation

-Drive on the left side of the road

Barbadian music is a blend of African and British influence, creating a culture that mixes folk, popular, Western classical, and religious music together. The island has hosted the annual Crop Over festival since 1974, which includes the prestigious Calypso Monarch competition and award. Folk and Calypso are ever present, along with dance music. Let's take a look at what's in store today!

Twilight by Cover Drive (written by T. Armstrong, B. Hill, J. Harding, J. Larossi, I. Wroldsen, A. Romdhane, K. Reifer)

Cover Drive was a Barbadian reggae, R&B, dancehall, soca, hip hop, pop, reggae fusion, dance group. Formed in 2010, they were able to open for Rihanna's Loud Tour. Before disbanding in 2018, the group's lineup included Amanda Reifer (vocals), Thomas "T-Ray" Armstrong (drums, percussion, vocals), Barry "Bar-Mon" Hill (guitar, keytar), and Jamar Harding (bass guitar, vocals). Cover Drive released 2 studio albums between 2010 and 2017, with Twilight originally included on the 2012 album Bajan Style. This has a good groove to it and has that classic early '10s pop/R&B sound to it. Reifer's vocals are quite good, and I have no trouble seeing why it charted in Europe. Definitely give it a listen.

Baby/I’ve known you for a long, long time/I never thought that we would find/What we’re holding in our hands/Lately/I’ve been thinking I should make you mine/Been thinking that we should define/What we are, what we are/Oh, oh/And you know, I love to be in control/But recently I don’t know what to do/I’m losing it over you/Whoa, oh, oh, oh/Ooh la, ooh la/When you say my name/I can feel the flame/Getting stronger/Oh, let me hear you say/Ooh la, ooh la/We both feel the same/And I can’t play this game any longer/Oh boy/I’m loving this twilight/I’m loving this twilight/I’m loving this twi la la la la la la la la la/Twilight

Roll It by Hypasounds (composer unknown)

Damian Etienne, known professionally as Hypasounds, is a Barbadian singer, producer, and DJ. Born in December 1982 in Saint Michael (about 2 miles northeast of Bridgetown), he has been a popular Soca ("soul of calypso") artist for his nineteen year career. Hypasounds has released 1 studio album since 2020 in addition to multiple singles prior to and after that time. Roll It was released as a single in 2012. This is a really fun Soca song, with lots of energy and color. It feels like summer, and is great to dance to. I couldn't find a good transcription of the lyrics, but I encourage you to check it out.

Pump Me Up by Krosfyah (written by E. Yearwood)

Krosfyah is a Barbadian soca band. Formed in 1989, they are one of the most well-known and successful soca bands of the Caribbean. Making music for thirty-six years, the group's current lineup includes Edwin Yearwood, Anthony Bailey, Khiomal Nurse, Mario Burnett, Neil Burnet, Antonio Rudder, and Corey Jordan. Krosfyah has released 19 studio albums since 1994, with Pump Me Up originally featured on the 1995 album Ultimate Party - Pump Me Up. This is another very fun song, and a great example of the soca genre. The group sounds like they're having a great time playing, and it's another energetic dance number. It's a great addition to a beach playlist for summer.

Every day, every day, every day them a cry me down/But I’m just out having fun/All me want, all me want is the music all night long/Until the party done/Play the mu’, play the mu’, play the music big and strong/‘Cause I’m just out having fun/From the coun’, from the coun’, from the country straight to town/Don’t stop this jam/Pump me up with the music, pump me up/‘Cause you know I’m addicted/Pump me up with the music, pump me up/Na na na, na na na live without it/Pump me up with the music, pump me up/Start me whole body pumping/Pump me up with the music, pump me up/All me nerves just a jumping

In Plenty and In Time of Need by Nusantara Orchestra (written by I. Burgie, C. Edwards)

In Plenty and In Time of Need is the national anthem of Barbados. The melody was composed by C. Van Roland Edwards with assistance from his daughters Nannette and Eullia, as he was partially blind at the time of writing. The lyrics were written by American musician Irving Burgie, who was half Barbadian through his mother. It was adopted as the national anthem in November 1966.

In plenty and in time of need, when this fair land was young/Our brave forefathers sowed the seed from which our pride is sprung/A pride that makes no wanton boast of what it has withstood/That binds our hearts from coast to coast, the pride of nationhood/We loyal sons and daughters all do hereby make it known/These fields and hills beyond recall are now our very own/We write our names on history's page with expectations great/Strict guardians of our heritage, firm craftsmen of our fate

Ragga Ragga by Red Plastic Bag (written by S. Wiltshire)

Stedson Wiltshire, known professionally as Red Plastic Bag, is a Barbadian musician, singer, and songwriter. Born in Saint Philip (about 13 miles northeast of Bridgetown), he is the current record holder for winning the Barbadian Calypso Monarch Competition 10 times in his forty-six year career. A talented calypso and soca vocalist, Red Plastic Bag has released 3 studio albums since 1993. Ragga Ragga was originally featured on his 1993 album Happiness and has been recorded in seven different languages. This song was a blast to listen to. It's a great party song, and while it's a bit on the longer side it never feels like it overstays its welcome. You'll for sure have fun listening to this one.

I don’t understand one thing when I try to listen to a dub song/I tried and I tried, and I tried and I tried, and I know that something wrong/Every time the DJ decide to play, one hand go up in the air/Everybody chanting, doing the Bogle, oh, what an atmosphere/But all I hear/Ragga ragga, ragga ragga, ragga ragga, ragga ragga/Ragga ragga, ragga ragga, ragga ragga, ragga ragga/I hearing, they’re singing/Ragga ragga, ragga ragga, ragga ragga, ragga ragga/Ragga ragga, ragga ragga, ragga ragga, ragga ragga/They’re chanting, they’re shouting/Ragga ragga, even when I move a little closer/Ragga ragga, I put me ear close to the speaker/Ragga ragga, I turn up me radio louder/Ragga ragga, you know, I just can’t decipher

Kiss It Better by Rihanna (written by J. Bhasker, N. Fisher, J. Glass, R. Fenty)

Robyn Fenty, known professionally by her middle name Rihanna, is a Barbadian singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. Born in February 1988 in Saint Michael, she is easily the most well-known singer from the island and the best selling female recording artist of the 21st century (per Guinness World Records). In addition to performing pop, R&B, and dance music, she founded the Clara Lionel Foundation in 2012, founded the Fenty Beauty cosmetics company in 2017, founded the Savage X Fenty lingerie brand in 2018, and has served as the inaugural Barbadian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary since 2018. Rihanna has received 184 awards, which include 13 American Music Awards, 12 Billboard Music Awards, 9 Grammys, and 4 People's Choice Awards, as well as having held 6 different Guinness World Records in her twenty-two year career. She has released 8 studio albums since 2005, and Kiss It Better was originally featured on her 2016 album Anti. The song peaked at #62 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA. I've enjoyed Rihanna's music since I was in middle school, and I really respect her artistry even if every song doesn't resonate with me. I listened to all of Anti close to a year ago when I was going through Apple's Top 100 Albums of All Time, and I ended up enjoying quite a bit of it, including this song. Honestly, Rihanna's just cool, so give her a listen if you somehow never have.

Been waiting on that sunshine, boy, I think I need that back/Can’t do it like that, no one else gon’ get it like that/So why argue, you yell, but you take me back/Who cares when it feels like crack, boy, you know hat you always do it right/Man, fuck your pride, just take it on back, boy/Take it on back, boy, take it back all night, just take it on back, take it on back/Mmm, do what you gotta do, keep me up all night/Hurting vibe, man, it hurts inside when I look you in your eye/What are you willing to do/Oh, tell me what you’re willing to do, kiss it, kiss it better, baby/Oh, what are you willing to do/Oh, tell me what you’re willing to do, kiss it, kiss it better, baby

Impossible by Shontelle (written by A. Birgisson, I. Wroldsen)

Shontelle Layne, known professionally as simply Shontelle, is a Barbadian singer and songwriter. Born in October 1985 in Saint James (about 6 miles northwest of Bridgetown), she has become a popular R&B, pop, reggae, and hip hop artist throughout her seventeen year career. Shontelle has released 3 studio albums since 2008, with Impossible originally featured on her 2010 album No Gravity. The song peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been certified Platinum by the RIAA. I had a sudden nostalgia rush back to high school, and I'm not sure who I thought sang this song before but what a weirdly pleasant surprise. Shontelle has a nice voice, very easy to listen to and very well suited to R&B music. This is a good song, definitely check it out.

I remember years ago, someone told me I should take/Caution when it comes to love, I did, I did/And you were strong and I was not, my illusion, my mistake/I was careless, I forgot, I did, I did/And now, when all is done, there is nothing to say/You have gone, and so effortlessly/You’ve won, you can go ahead, tell them/Tell them all I know now, shout it from the rooftops/Write it on the skyline, all we had is gone now/Tell them I was happy and my heart is broken/All my scars are open, tell them what I hoped would be/Impossible, impossible/Impossible, impossible

I hope you enjoyed learning about this beautiful country with me. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!