Words by Saxon Baird, Photos by Kordel Fermin—
Farmer Nappy has been a major player in the soca scene for over 30 years but it’s only recently that he’s become more a household name in Trinidad and beyond. This year, Nappy scored a major hit with his song “Big People Party,” a groovy soca tune that came in second in this year’s road march to the surprise of everyone, including Farmer Nappy himself. With more and more soca being influenced by EDM, Nappy’s hit was recorded with a full band, channeling a classic calypso sound without sacrificing any of the flag-waving energy soca is known for. With carnival season over in Trinidad, Nappy recently brought the party to New York, celebrating the release of his album, also called Big People Party. We caught up with Nappy in Brooklyn to discuss the new album and what it takes to throw a real “big people party.”
LargeUp: What’s the story behind the song “Big People Party?”
Farmer Nappy: “Big People Party” is an all-exclusive fete. You know those guys who are wearing their pants dropped below their butt nowadays? Well, for this fete you got to pull up your pants and be a man. That’s the rule. And you must dance with the lady like a man dances with a lady. And you have to pull the chair out for the lady when she wants to sit down. And when she comes through the door, you open it for her. It’s about acting like a man because big people do big things and big people think big, you know?
LU: “Big People Party” came in second in the Road March this year. Which is kind of crazy considering that it’s a groovy soca tune.
FN: Well, [Farmer Nappy’s band] De Red Boyz always tell me that slow music or “slow groovy soca” will take you further than what I call “fast” songs. And as it turns out, it truly came to pass for me this year. Just being in the groove and every year trying to have a hit in the market has always been my goal and I’ve stuck to the groovy sound because, you know, they call me the “groove man.”