2016 started off with a bang with everyone rocking to the Bajan beat of Rihanna's "Work" and they haven't stopped since. Hits like "Controlla" by Drake and "LUV" by Tory Lanez has everyone feeling like they are on a tropical cruise to the Caribbean. But people like me were just wondering what took you all so long to catch the wave.
Born a first-generation American with my parents originally from Jamaica, I was raised a Jamaican. Meaning that everything from the food we ate to the music we listened to were all reminiscent of the island of Jamaica. Even though all of my siblings were raised the same way, as we got older we had the choice to either continue carrying that culture with us or to adopt the American ways. I opted to continue to explore my Caribbean roots while being open to any American influences that piqued my interests.
Before this year, I felt like it was unfair that I had double the songs on my iPod compared to my friends due to the large variety of music I was exposed to. So now whenever I hear a friend play songs like Tyga's "1 of 1", I can't help but revel in the idea that people can finally enjoy what I've been experiencing since I was a youth. With artists going as far as collaborating with the native artists and remixing original reggae songs, they are now getting just as much play time in the Hip-Hop clubs as in Caribbean clubs.
I can now be comfortable with the fact that when I request an island song at a party, that instead of being underwhelmed by some Sean Paul I can expect to hear some "Work, Work, Work, Work, Work!"
This recent boom in the desire for island music has catapulted artists like Popcaan from local Jamaican headlines to being featured on sites like HotNewHipHop. But the Jamaican government in particular does not support dance hall music because they believe that it insights violence amongst youth and is very explicit. Thus leaving Caribbean artists to find other means of expanding their brand. One way for them to gain that foreign exposure is through collaborations with American musicians. Exposure that is otherwise unattainable because of their inability to obtain US visas. Leaving music and the internet as the only means of tapping into their American fan base.
After Drake failed to include the version of "Controlla" which featured Popcaan on his album "Views", many people deemed the trend unauthentic. As a ploy to boosts record sales while exploiting the likes of people who purchased the album with the intentions of hearing Popcaan's verse.
While I do understand where that feeling may come from I don't believe it was a a maliscious act. Even Jay-Z and Kanye were excluded from his album after originally being featured on "Pop Style."
More importantly, I believe that people should allow others to be influenced.
Toronto, Canada is one of the many places that the island culture has permeated and resonated in the minds of the people. Along with England and Japan. The people who embrace cultures which differ from their own and allow it to influence how they create their art, are the people we know as trendsetters.
But hopefully this is not just a trend. Hopefully this wave of Caribbean rhythm can transform the face of pop culture and allow the Jamaican government to see what a gem they have sitting right there in their pockets. And instead of shutting down dance halls and prohibiting artists from performing, they embrace their stars and use the revenue to help build up the local economy.
But for now, let's just enjoy this amazing time we're living in and soak up the vibes.
Below is the list of my top five island infused songs of 2016:
4. Drake ft. Popcaan - Controlla
1. Roy Woods - Gwan Big Up Urself
Take a listen but be careful, the island vibes are contagious.
