Barbados. Bim. The Rock. Whatever you choose to call it, we all love our home. And when it comes to expressing this love, one of our go-to things is to sing about it. Now we all know of the classic songs we grew to love: “Beautiful Barbados” by The Merrymen, that one where it’s just spelling the word Barbados, and even more modern tunes like “De Pledge” by Peter Ram, “Colours” by Natalee, or Rupee’s “I Am A Bajan”. But today I want to highlight five newer songs that speak about island life, culture and, all in all, we ting.
5. “Welcome to Barbados” – Brutal
Number five is “Welcome to Barbados” by Brutal, featuring Mad Mixy and Barry G. I made it a point to mention culture in the introduction because this song is literally the story about meeting a tourist and taking her to see the real Barbados. I was like: “Oh, okay. These men got bars.” I just thought that this song has an interesting way of highlighting certain aspects of our land and what we do; a very natural way to highlight our culture.
4. “Bridgetown” – Sivers Tha Third
Number four is “Bridgetown” by Sivers Tha Third, featuring Billy Kincaid, Rubytech and Sunrokk; a big tune by some of our homegrown rap stars. This is the song that put Sivers on the map. With the re-release he brought on some real, real veterans to the Bajan rap scene. Hip Hop ain’t really a genre synonymous with Barbados, but I would encourage anyone to listen to this song by Sivers Tha Third, Barri G and Jahmantha. That’s not what I said earlier? That’s because this song was re-released again this time with some of the freshmen on our local hip hop scene. No matter what version of this song you listen to, I can guarantee that you’ll hear relatable lyrics. Hailings to your home district.
3. “Barbara” – Teff Hinkson
Number three is “Barbara” by Teff, featuring Leadpipe. The other songs on this list are celebrations of Bajan culture; paying homage to Barbadiana, if you will. However, this takes it in a slightly different direction. All love at the end of it all, but if you love something you want it to be better. The song personifies Barbados as a girl named Barbara and does a ten out of ten job of detailing the grievances and frustrations of the Bajan people. Teaming up with the ever talented Leadpipe, fresh off the success of his megahit “Sometime”, just pushed this song to another level.
2. “De Gem” – Rhea Layne
Number two is “De Gem” by Rhea Layne. I honestly feel this song should be playing in primary schools every November. This is just a real, real feel-good song about Barbados and one hundred percent my favourite Rhea Layne song. It is just the simplicity of it; line after line about things every Bajan experiences. The only critique I have for this song is when she said we cook “mahi mahi on a friduh”. Because I cook dolphin Ms. Layne. I do not know what mahi-mahi you’re working with, but real real Bajan people cook dolphin.
1. “Big Love” – 2 Mile Hill
Finally, number one is “Big Love” by 2 Mile Hill. I remember in 2017 I went to New York and while outdoors I heard this woman cussing out someone with some well placed, well articulated, immaculately pronounced swear words. While most people would’ve been taken aback by this, I felt so much warmth that crisp December afternoon, and that is exactly how this tune makes me feel. 2 Mile Hill’s Mahalia even says it in the song: “And every time that I go away, so excited every time when I hear your name. Barbados my heart just belong dey.”
It really is the kinda tune that makes you proud and ready to pledge allegiance to our little rock.
That’s it for my list. Of course, I’m not saying these are the only songs about Bim. I could’ve included Lil Rick’s “Iz A Bajan”, “Home Sweet Home” by Edwin, or even Chief Diin’s “Barbados”. But no matter who I put on this list, I know our artists got we covered.
