The Viking and Monk of Soca Unite for "Buss Head"

In January of this year, two of Soca music’s biggest artists came together for the first time to collaborate and create a very awesome piece of art that has been blazing through the Caribbean airwaves. The song is called Buss Head by Machel Montano and Bunji Garlin. The track was produced by AdvoKit Productions, Badjohn Republic, and Machel Montano. Many have considered the two artists to be rivals over the years, but the two have finally come together and given us something more than just music.

This collaboration has been a historic moment for West Indian culture that represents unity and cooperation. The track is inspired by the ancient tradition of Kalinda (Calinda). It is also known as stick fighting and is a martial art, dance, and form of music. The tradition originated in West Africa and was brought to Trinidad and other Caribbean islands by slaves. During a stick fight, the chantuelle (lead vocalist) would cheer on the stick fighters by singing lavways, which are call and response chants. The British tried to put a ban on carrying sticks. This led played a part in what was known as the Canboulay riots where stick fighters fought back. The British also tried to ban percussion instruments, which led to rhythmic music being played with iron, bottles, and spoons. This gave birth to steel pan music. Kalinda and the events that took place, led to the creation of Calypso music, which then led to what we know as Soca.

Like I stated before, the two Kings of Soca were able to create something that acknowledged and celebrated culture and unity. This collaboration was a huge success. Both Bunji Garlin and Machel Montano have been selling Buss Head t-shirts, hats, and rags in Trinidad and online so that everyone will have a piece of this huge moment in the history of Soca.

References:

Calinda | Traditional Mas Archive. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.traditionalmas.com/project/calinda/

Henry, Jeff. Under the mas’: resistance and rebellion in the Trinidad masquerade. San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago: Lexicon, 2008. Print.

AdvoKit Productions, Badjohn Republic & Machel Montano. (2017, January 27). Buss Head. Retrieved from https://soundcloud.com/machelmontano/machel-montano-bunji-garlin-buss-head

Machel Montano Meets Bunji Garlin on "Buss Head". (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.largeup.com/2017/01/27/bunji-garlin-machel-montano-buss-head/

Island360. (2017, February 18). Island360 - Stick fighting (Calinda, Kalinda, Kalenda) is... | Facebook [Web log post]. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/island360/photos/a.269944273054928.58163.249204535128902/1237899849592694/?type=3&theater