LargeUp Premiere: St. Croix’s Bush Tea Brings Us “Wiyah Waist” ๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ฎ

Words by Ronnia Cherry

Bush tea, a soothing drink usually derived from native plants such as lemongrass (or โ€œfever grassโ€), is embraced as a cure-all and versatile health aid all across the West Indies. The U.S. Virgin Islands has a particular affinity for the drink, which is even served by the local McDonaldโ€™s restaurants.

St. Croix, the largest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, now brings us Bush Tea, a rapper/deejay whose eclectic, dancehall-influenced sound is making waves across the map. Sheโ€™s performed alongside The Weeknd, Popcaan and Princess Nokia to name a few, and is carving out her own lane in music.

After releasing the gorgeous visual for โ€œTao Tapeโ€ earlier this year, Bush Tea returns with an unapologetically fresh video for her single โ€œWiyah Waist.โ€ The video finds her riding her ATV through the hills, puffing cigars with her crew and sipping coquitos like a real bad gyal.

Musically, the trackโ€™s 808s and steelpan sounds complement her baritone vocals, which flow between patois-inflected dancehall and an animated hip-hop style reminiscent of Nicki Minaj or Lady Leshurr. Her style? Baad. Never one to shy away from a statement, Bush Tea blends contemporary femininity with rude gal realness, challenging the larger context gender roles play in dancehall and reggae, while encouraging everyone to express themselves freely. And โ€œWiyah Waistโ€ is all about expression, from the colours to the dancing.

โ€œI wanted to tap into my Island girl/tomboy vibe with the ATV through the hills. It was all island tings, Jโ€™ouvert & sipping delicious Puerto-Rican made coquito with the girl gang playing dominoes,โ€ the artist shares via email.

LargeUp has always been a massive supporter of music from the U.S. Virgin Islands, from the Virgin Islands Nice series with Pressure Buspipe and Vaughn Benjamin (of Midnite/Akae Beka fame) to our South by Southwest showcase with Pressure, R City and Verse Simmonds in 2016. The love continues with this exclusive premiere.

Tags: Bush Tea St. Croix U.S. Virgin Islands Virgin Islands Wiyah Waist

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