Local music artists outside the soca arena don’t get the respect they deserve. Music artists in general are only respected from May to August, but that’s a conversation for another time. Normally this list would be ranked, but here I’m just highlighting five Bajan artists who don’t sing or aren’t known for soca.
I want to highlight a few different genres, so I chose a prominent Bajan artist in each. Does that mean they’re the only or best artists in those genres in Bim? No. It just means I believe they represent the genre well or their music is easy to understand. For example, if someone is drinking alcohol for the first time I’d give them a piña colada and not a gin and tonic, because a piña colada is easier to appreciate.
Anyways, let’s get started: top five local artists who don’t sing soca or calypso. Lewwe go.
5. Ch’An
Kicking off the list and representing the RnB camp, at number five, we got a real-real old soul, a girl like Ch’an. Active since 2007, she’s been making strides in music with her distinct, soulful voice and powerful, moving lyrics. When she’s not creating hits like “Body”, you can check out her covers series on YouTube where she, and occasionally some friends, put together short masterpieces combining stellar visuals with awesome musical productions. With the EP Lost under her belt, she performs at several of Barbados’ top hotels and at many local shows. To get you started on Ch’an I’d have to recommend her award-winning single “Runaway.”
4. LR
At number four, for the Warbados camp, we got my guy LR aka Lone Realness. LR has been prominent in Bajan dancehall for some time. Previously known as LRG, he has a respectable discography, but arguably the tune responsible for his status is the absolute banger – to this day – the Starpoint produced, “Chargie”.
Since then he’s been performing everywhere. He’s gaining ground everywhere from Mexico to Trinidad, where he’s done major collaborations; most notable being “Private Zess” with the late, great K-Lion, which has millions of views on YouTube alone.
LR shows no signs of slowing down. If a riddim is released there’s a one in two chance that LR is on it. My recommendation for LR would have to be “Monsters and Malandros” on the Evil Eyes Riddim. No particular reason; I just really like the vibe. It’s mad catchy and it’s the most appropriate thing to listen to as I sit at my computer, type and daydream about a different life.
3. Buggy Nhakente
Representing the reggae camp, at number three, we have Mr. ”a man is just a man” himself, Buggy Nhakente. Pretty much a household name in Barbadian reggae, Buggy has toured all over the world, performing in over fifty cities in the US and Canada and being the first reggae artist to perform at the Paul McCartney Arena in England. He’s shared the stage with artists like Ja Rule, Ashanti, Sean Paul, Sizzla, Beres Hammond and Buju Banton. You’d be more familiar with Buggy from Reggae on The Hill, as a frequent winner of Barbados Music Awards, or his tunes, like my recommendation, “Can’t Tek Way We Star.”
2. 2 Mile Hill
I had a hard time placing these next artists repping the Pop genre because “pop” is so relative. But Google says they’re pop, so that answers that. At number two we got 2 Mile Hill. For quite a minute they were known as Nexcy – from 2008 in fact – and dropped hits like “Nightclub Superheroes”. During their time as Nexcyx, they shared a stage with the likes of Angie Stone and Erykah Badu. In 2013 they won a performance at the Cognac Blues Festival in France during Hennesy’s Chase The Music, Own The Stage competition. They performed so well, they were invited back to the festival.
On January 1st 2016 they said: “Na wez 2 Mile Hill now”. Musical director and keyboardist Andre said: “After careful thought and listening to our closest fans and friends, we realized that the name NexCyx had taken us as far as we could go with it. We knew it was time for change,”
2 Mile Hill has been releasing tune after tune. If there’s one I had to give y’all, it would be “Big Love”.
1. Teff Hinkson
Closing out the list at number one and repping the hip-hop camp is Teff. Active in the Barbadian rap sphere since 2011, Teff has been making progress in rap over the years. Including going to Toronto to see where his talents take him.
In 2016, Teff announced his retirement from rap, which, in hip hop terms, is an extended sabbatical. He returned in 2019, showing no heat lost, and dropped hits like his Crab Soldier collaboration “Tired”. Speaking of collaborations, there’s no denying that Teff is huge on them. From Redbull 3style champ DJ Puffy, to Rihanna’s brother Gallest and “Mr. Sometime” himself Leadpipe.
Teff also produces visuals and hosts his own podcast, Brunchables. For a Teff song recommendation, I’d have to go with “Barbara”, his collaboration with the aforementioned Leadpipe.
That’s it, man. And just to reiterate, this isn’t a list of the best singers in Barbados; it’s highlighting some genres you may not know Bajans sing. Just to list some more I didn’t mention: you should look for Shaii, Sleepi, or Sivers who’re doing things in the hip hop scene; in dancehall there’s artists like Chief Diin and brutal people are probably upset that I didn’t mention them instead; there’s a girl like Leigh Phillips who is a big pop artist; G Syndicate in RnB, easily; and in reggae I’d recommend High Grade. That’s it from me for now. Talk to y’all next time.
