Mixtape Mondays Carnival Special: Private Ryan, Jus Now, Hipsters Don’t Dance

Words by Deejay Theory —

If you haven’t noticed from most of our recent posts it’s officially Carnival time in the Caribbean today and the music and vibes are flowing like rum around here. Grab these mixes to get into the spirit of the fete, but don’t hold us responsible if you end up wining on a co-worker or stranger on the train.

DJ Private Ryan, Soca Brainwash 2014: When it comes to the latest and most crucial selections for Carnival readiness, Miami-via-Trini mixtape king DJ Private Ryan comes through every time. His Soca Brainwash mixtape series has been known to deliver nonstop wining from start to finish. The people have been patiently waiting for this year’s 125-track installment, the perfect soundtrack for Carnival attendees getting ready for D road. Even if you live in the coldest and most remote region of the globe, pressing play on this will immediately transport you to T&T. Stream below, tracklist here, download here.

Jus Now, Diplo & Friends Mix on BBC Radio 1: It’s essential that we include this scorcher from UK/Trini production powerhouse Jus Now. The brains and boards behind Carnival 2014’s road march contender “Truck On D Road” as well as the mighty “Soca Run Town” from the viking Bunji Garlin, Jus Now have been steadily crushing the soca riddims this year and show no signs of slowing up. Stamped by Diplo and Major Lazer, this is a sick recording peeled from their February show on Diplo & Friends on BBC Radio 1 highlighting what they do best — mashing up every element of soca energy and vibes from the Caribbean to The UK to your desktop. Madness. Stream and download below.

Hipsters Don’t Dance, Mixpak FM 064: Extra special edition of the always quality podcast from our crew at Mixpak courtesy of the folks in London at Hipsters Don’t Dance. HDD, which consists of selectas Kazabon and Hootie Who, have been pushing the “World Carnival” sound forward in a big way, and continue the motion with their guest mix for Mixpak FM. Hootie Who is a boss selector for African dancehall, Afro-pop and Azonto, and pays tribute to his Naija heritage with this incredible mix of tunes new and older that embody the pulse of Calabar Carnival, the largest street party in Africa held the day after Christmas. Read more from Hootie on the subject + tracklist and download here, stream below: