Selector’s Choice is back this week with a Miami Carnival playlist from our good friend, DJ Crown Prince. Repping his hometown of Miami to the fullest, the soca and reggae selector now makes his home in Dubai, where he’s spent the last several years spreading the gospel of Caribbean culture across the United Arab Emirates. He checks in with a rundown of some of the best soca sounds and more from across the islands that’s sure to be running the fetes in MIA this weekend.
Yo Large Up! Welcome To Miami Carnival 2015. I am DJ Crown Prince aka The Soul Rebel, and I’m in the 305 bringing you a few choice records from North America’s last major carnival of the year. Miami Carnival is also the grand finale of my summer tour before I head over to Dubai for my winter residencies. With stops at events like Adventure Island, Arrivals, Girl Power, R.A.V.E., and Soca Brainwash to name a few, you’ll find me running through Hialeah grabbing shots of Cuban Coffee all weekend. Here are a few of my choice selections for this Miami Carnival Weekend.—most of which can also be heard on the latest edition to my carnival podcast series, Supa Soca Vol. 22 – Welcome To Miami.
Cloud 5 – No Behavior
This is simply the biggest record in the genre of soca right now. You are going to hear this record a thousand times this week. These four young men (the oldest being 18) hail from a small island off the coast of Grenada named Carriacou, and they wrote and produced the biggest soca record for the summer.
King Bubba – Mashup
Bubba has been consistently rolling out Cropover hits for a few years now. His commanding voice telling you, “Jump Up! Everybody Jump Up!” will wake you out of your insomniac trance immediately.
Peter Ram – All Ah We
Bajan veteran Peter Ram released this record late in the Cropover season and it rose so quickly that it earned him Barbados’ coveted Triple Crown. This is the perfect song for partying with the crew or alone. Either way, you about to make a LOT of new friends.
Vybz Kartel – Miami Vice Episode
It’s Miami Carnival. It’s Kartel singing about Miami. Anthem Status FOREVER.
Runtown Ft. Wizkid & Walshy Fire – Bend Down Pause
My good friend Walshy Fire sent me the this record earlier this year. As soon as I was 30 seconds into my first listen, I was sold! All summer, everywhere it’s been played, it’s been a smash. The Afro-Dancehall sets this weekend are sure to include this ladies choice.
Teddyson John – Allez
St. Lucia’s soulful Teddyson John delivers the sweetest song of the season. This is such an uplifting song that is good for the spirit. For that change of pace, this is definitely the track! Allez!
Hypasounds – How She Like It
“How She Like It” is another monster record that has spilled over from Cropover. Hypasounds changed his speed and delivery for this record, and fits himself comfortably in this zouk-inspired riddim. If this is not in your playlist, add it now now now.
Kerwin Du Bois – Circles
“I have a circle, a circle of real love…” Late last year, Kerwin Du Bois penned and produced the ultimate ode to loving your crew. When you hear this song come on, look around and you’ll see people with hands around their family, friends, and a few random strangers singing while making a circle.
Machel Montano – Pop A Bottle
We can’t talk Miami Carnival 2015 and not have this song on the list. “Pop A Bottle” still continues to inject bursts of joy and random high fives between friends in parties. Let’s be honest, either you’re here and have been singing it in delight, or you’re on the way and will play it as soon as you reach!
