Crime Jump

A truce between warring gangs was brokered by former gang boss Winston ‘Iston’ Branch earlier in the year, to the embarrassment of the country. He accomplished what officialdom and a citizenry living in fear could not. According to BU Murder Counter 11 murders have been committed at month seven of 12. Barbados is on track to have its lowest number of murders in recent years. A good news story?

Unfortunately as we are breathing a sigh of relief at a declining murder rate, there has been an alarming increase in other criminal activity. In recent hours and days there has been two cutlass wielding attacks, one of them taking place on Broad Street at 11AM. The other next to a primary school which thankfully students are on summer break. It is interesting that in both cases the police reported shooting the victims to prevent escalation. A sign of things to come no doubt.

Continue reading

Law and Public Decency

Wow! What an Editorial the Barbados Advocate posted today (08/12/2016). BU sides with the author of the editorial, tail wagging the dog indeed!

Stephen Lashley, Minister of Culture

Stephen Lashley, Minister of Culture

Should he find the time to reflect further on it, the Honourable Minister of Culture, Mr Stephen Lashley, will readily concede that his response of “It’s not illegal” was a surprisingly inadequate one to those who had complained that some of the costumes worn in the Grand Kadooment street parade on August 1 were too revealing or “skimpy” as it was put.

Among the protestors was veteran bandleader and designer, Ms Betty West, who expressed dismay at the number of semi-nude women on the road, especially those of a certain size. Her counterpart, Ms Gwyneth Squires, was of a similar view, regretful that “the police did not lock up” some of those in the more revealing costumes. Other bandleaders consoled themselves that they were simply giving the people what they wanted; a twisted scenario of the tail wagging the dog, where the reveller becomes both the designer and bandleader. Indeed, there were reports that some revellers had adjusted their assigned costumes to suit their individual tastes, inevitably of a more revealing nature.

Apart from the suggestion that the police should have locked up some of the more egregious offenders, the complaints generally appear to relate more to a question of public decency rather than that of criminal conduct, a much more complex and subjective area.

Nevertheless, the Minister, who is legally trained, sought to revert to the letter of the law to respond, offering his legal opinion that those people who wore revealing costumes during the street parade were “well within the law”. He may very well be right as a matter of strict law, although we would be loath to determine what is to be considered decent for public exposure purely on the basis of whether it is criminally indecent.

In most circumstances, an infringement of law of indecent exposure requires the showing of the genitals in the case of men, and the internal genitalia in the case of women; a reality that would be abhorrent to most Barbadians viewing the parade.

However, public decency is ordinarily to be assessed by community standards that may be based on religion, morality or tradition. In fine, whether the behaviour in question is repulsive to the public. There is, we submit therefore, a difference between indecent behaviour that is repugnant to right-thinking society and indecent exposure that invites criminal sanction, although there exists of course some intersection between the two concepts.

The sometimes-stark contrast between what the average individual may consider as indecent and what the law deems it to be is best seen in the exposure of the female breasts. While this occurrence at Kadooment would be, we assume, frowned upon by most, even when covered in paint as has happened previously, it is, at best, a moot point whether it would constitute an indecent exposure in law since the breasts are clearly not genitals.

The tendency to “push the envelope” is rampant in modern day society, and the Minister’s words may give some comfort to some of these individuals who intend to test local tolerance with the exposure of as much of their bodies as they are allowed to without falling foul of the law.

The Minister’s further query as to how does one go about policing what people should wear does seem an odd one, given his earlier assertion that “the NCF has rules and regulations regulating what type of costumes people can wear”. We should expect that these regulations are not mere carbon copies of the legal provisions on indecent exposure and that they go much further in the public interest.

The Jeff Cumberbatch Column – Pride and the “other” Industry

Rihanna wukkin up on Kadooment Day

Rihanna wukkin up on Kadooment Day

It is the Sunday before Kadooment and the minds of most readers, more likely than not, will be concentrated wonderfully on matters such as the various parties, the identity of the Calypso Monarch and likely Tune of the Crop for 2016, with securing a costume for the street parade on Monday, or simply entertaining friends and/or family who have chosen to visit the island at this time. For those disinclined or otherwise reluctant to take part in the pandemonium or todoment of the occasion, and who should find time today to peruse the newspaper, it is the duty of the columnist to provide the traditional intellectual stimulation that you may seek in these pages despite the merriment that surrounds us.

Today, I have decided, in rather light-hearted fashion, to discourse on the national motto, especially that aspect that pertains to industry, in light of some of the “work” that will be on display tomorrow.

I have always been puzzled by the motto we have chosen -“Pride and Industry”. Clearly the reference therein to “Pride” has nothing at all to do with the cardinal sin of “hubristic self-overestimation” but speaks rather to that justifiable pride that we ought to feel in our achievements as a nation.

And we do have much to be proud of. For one, our pacifist political nature that permits us to change administrations through the medium of the ballot box rather than through force of arms, despite the seeming impatience of some for that opportunity to arrive; our freedom of expression that sustains arguments critical of the establishment and allows peaceful protest of policy decisions; and our reliance on the rule of law to govern our civic interactions.

Of course, in recent times, the crown of our hitherto near-pristine existence have slipped somewhat and the challenges posed by a more globalized environment have caused a loss of pride owing to some practices that have become part of our culture. The apparent increase in access to illegal firearms, despite our best efforts to stem their acquisition, and their indiscriminate use by those bent on redressing some perceived wrong, have caused us to rethink our old feeling of personal security in our daily existence; the recurrent criticism of the relative sloth of our judicial system by the Car1bbean Court of Justice and its negative impact on the treasured constitutional guarantee of protection of the law of a fair hearing before an independent and impartial tribunal within a reasonable time have stung us to the core; and the national psyche and economic well-being have been assaulted by a seemingly interminable recession that threatens to reverse most of the gains we may have secured over the past 50 years.

As to the second quality, at first blush, the concept of “Industry” is an eminently laudable one and the constant public prayer for increased productivity as well as the general recognition that hard work is the key to success in most facets of life, embody the embracing of this aspect of the motto.

There is, however, another kind of ‘work” in which some of us are ready to engage in a few hours; however, the spelling is entirely different from the accepted English orthography and has been variously rendered as “wuk” or perhaps the more ostensibly descriptive, though admittedly rarer, “wuck”. This is what I mean by “the other industry”.

“Wucking up” appears to be a peculiarly Barbadian phenomenon, although there have frequently been claimed alliances with the African continent and appeals to Eastern belly-dancing to justify its public display. It is effected by some revelers as an interlude in their pilgrimage across the stage at the National Stadium and on the journey to Spring Garden either as a response to a non-verbal challenge from a fellow band-member or, perhaps less frequently, as a way of drawing public attention to themselves, although the accompanying half-embarrassed facial expressions would seem to belie this conclusion in many cases.

Ordinarily, public dancing to music should not require justification, but there is a side of Barbados that is consumed with how others see us, the very power that Robert Burns wished for from the “giftie “-

“O wad some Power the giftie gie us

To see oursels as ithers see us!

It wad frae mony a blunder free us,

An’ foolish notion:

What airs in dress an’ gait wad lea’e us,

An ev’n devotion!”

And, for those persons, the simulated sexual congress that public “wucking up” involves, even for the less prudish among them, constitutes an unwholesome form of conduct not befitting of the image that the archetypal Barbadian should convey to the rest of the world.

For them, the industry (or work) in our motto is best manifested in keeping the environment free of litter, being as efficiently productive as possible in our daily lives and exhibiting creativity in thought and manufacture.

Inadequate Compensation for King and Queen

Submitted by Wayne Cadogan

Wayne Cadogan

Wayne Cadogan

On Sunday May 24th. Minister of Culture, The Honourable Stephen Lashley M.P. was on CBC TV 8 program Meet the Minister. A number of questions were posed to him by the Presenter and the public via emails. Towards the end of the program, I emailed the following question to the Minister.

[…] Continue reading

Is Crop Over … Over? Are we Beating a Dead Horse?

Submitted by Pachamama

30 years later has Crop Over become more about beads and feathers rather than cultural expression?

30 years later has Crop Over become more about beads and feathers rather than cultural expression?

More than 30 years ago Barbados sought to resurrect what we called Crop Over. It was argued then that such a festival would be good for tourism, the promotion of local cultural expressions, an aid for young people to learn local culture etc. These are all worthy, but limiting, aspirations. However, the festival has steadily been losing its essence, has been declining or failing to capture the imagination of the world. Indeed it appears that there is no more space for Crop Over to promote cultural development. This is not an exception, for cultural expression seems to have been generally arrested. It is an ‘arrested development’ where the established calypsonians, as the main force behind the festival, and who used to imbue a sense of cultural rivalry are withdrawing those energies. The replacements are not from that era and therefore represent a different interpretation of ethos. In this there is a certain monotony in the lyrics, rhythms and rhymes etc. This monotony maybe a function of inbreeding even when one recognizes cultural influences from elsewhere. The management has been beset, from nearly the beginning, with internal tensions that were never helpful for development.

Our anecdotal judgments may indeed be proved incorrect by facts on the ground, all types of studies and the general feelings of the people. But some of us no longer feel the urge to be in Barbados at Crop Over time. It no longer matters that 8 or 9 or 10 festivals could be missed in a row. The past excitement of Crop Over is no longer infectious.  We have seen festivals in Brazil a few times, Trinidad a dozens of times, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent etc and this general lethargy maybe merely a generational thing where the current group of young people find these public demonstrations of fun and frolic as irresistible as we did 30 years ago. But we tend to think not.

Continue reading

Queen On the Horizon

Submitted by Old Onions Bag

…a child shall lead them…

Aziza

Aziza

Have you all been listening attentively to some of these calypsos coming out for Crop Over this year? If you have, then I am sure that you would agree with me. There is a most effervescent  and  future repository rising star on the horizon; a now so called ‘guardian of  calypso’ by her own making, that has easily out shone most of her seasoned contemporaries. A sizzling first timer to the adults competition, having just  achieved her elevated status from Junior Monarch. A fresh and most destined spirited lassie by the name of Aziza  that will be kicking butt this year.

I say this with no reservation having listened to both the Junior Monarch Finals and the Pic of the Crop semi finals that  given the calibre of rendition and diction exhibited by some of the juniors, they have definitely out shone their masters. The Junior Monarch show was a better place to be on the night and that is no idle boast. Why I can recall only a few seasoned  boast like Crystal Cummings-Beckles, Blood, TC Serenader, (Symphony in C minor) AC and Ian Webster that stand a chance of really pulling a rabbit out the hat on the night of the finals, now that this young lady is seemingly exploding on the airwaves and  more importantly the stage.

Continue reading

Premier Event Services to Organize 2013 Cohobblopot: There Is Still Meat On the Fatted Calf!

The minister [Stephen Lashley] said for the much talked about Cohobblopot, there were two tenders for the hosting of the event, which was won by Rihanna’s Loud Concert and Barbados Food, Wine and Rum Festival organisers Premier Event ServicesBarbados Today

The news that the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) has awarded the right to organize Cohobblopot, one of the premier Crop Over events,  to Premier Event Services with just over one month to go  is interesting. Has anyone bothered to ask who are the directors of this company? What is their history of staging cultural shows? Is there enough time for this company to execute one of the biggest shows in Barbados? How much money is tagged to this arrangement? It is all about demonstrating transparency which is (was?) promoted by this government when it assumed office in 2008.

Continue reading

Crop Over Needs a Master Plan

Submitted by the Mahogany Coconut Think tank and Watchdog Group

Barbados Crop Over marketed as more than a carnival

Barbados Crop Over marketed as more than a carnival

The tourism industry is a sector of the leisure industry. Contrary to popular opinion, the Caribbean is not the exclusive reserve of white sands and blue waters. We were not that fortunate when the world was created. We are therefore in competition with ourselves in the Caribbean and tourists/leisure destinations worldwide.

Carnivals and festivals are also magnets for those seeking leisure. Although the Trinidad Carnival has been compared with others and some of its designers/band leaders have achieved international fame; we cannot claim it is the worldwide leader in this category. The Crop Over festival in Barbados is a major attraction for those living in the Diaspora, but it is still unclear as to the direction it is taking or being led. We can say that there has been no clear international marketing plan for Crop Over, since it was revitalized over forty years ago.

We are pursuing heritage tourism in Barbados; in Guyana attempts are being made to market their vast outdoors and eco- tourism and efforts are afoot in Dominica in similar areas. From this brief introduction, we can suggest that the entire Caribbean has a rich culture and can attract tourists and leisure seekers. The question is: Why an island such as Barbados, that had a jump start in this industry over sixty years ago, cannot or has not developed a tourism product that is attractive enough to ensure greater economic benefits.

Continue reading

Concerned Creative Citizens Group Says Cultural Industries Bill Not Worthy of Passage Through Parliament

The following is a press release from The Concerned Creative Citizens Group (CCCG)

John Roett, veteran musician leads the CCCG

John Roett, veteran musician leads the CCCG

The Concerned Creative Citizens Group (CCCG) wishes to inform the public that despite a very one sided debate, the current Cultural Industries Development Bill (CIDB) is of great concern to many of the creatives of this country. Our Group comprising of 1251 members, along with many experts (both here on island and overseas) plus lauded artists in Barbados feel that the Bill in its current form is not worthy of passage in our Parliament.

Despite repeated attempts to present ways in which to make the Bill better, numerous requests to the Ministry and Minister of Culture, Public Objections to this Bill in many of the Public Town Halls and Forums, we continue to be rebuffed and ignored. We have submitted documents to the Attorney General listing our objections with the bill, carefully and meticulously pointing out the ways in which it will fail to develop the Cultural Industries in any manner whatsoever, and in an effort to maintain absolute transparency, these documents have also been discussed with the Leader of the Opposition and the Shadow Minister of Culture

Continue reading

A Few Good People

Submitted by Brubaker

Richard Sealy, Minister of Tourism

Richard Sealy, Minister of Tourism

A photo clip on CNN during the US elections showing a little girl crying because she was sick and tired of hearing the news associated with President Obama and GOP candidate Mitt Romney election campaigns has prompted this blog. Like the election vitriol, the incessant reactive rhetorical rantings emanating from Barbados’ sidewalk superintendents and armchair supervisors about their destination’s tourism industry have become inordinately objectionable and are turning off would be visitors.

The recent adverse comments posted by visitors in Trip Advisor about their ruined holiday experiences in the Gap also do not auger well for Barbados and further aggravate the situation. Both groups paint an unsavoury image – all is not well in Paradise, serious plant deterioration is occurring, and Barbados’ tourism continues to be like a ship in a tempus, floundering aimlessly without a rudder.

The reprehensible behaviour is causing irreparable damage to Barbados’ reputation as a holiday destination and in the long run will be extremely costly to repair. To get an impartial evaluation of the state of Barbados’ tourism industry, a consultant involved with the marketing and promotion of Caribbean tourism was interviewed and asked to give his thoughts and insight on the challenges Barbados faces for the future.

The following are his comments:

Continue reading

We Have To Protect Our Children

The sights and sound…yes the pic is meant to arouse sensibilities on a Sunday morning

Barbados, like all of the other States in the Caribbean region has committed itself to protecting the rights of children through ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (C.R.C.). Integral to this collection of rights are those geared at the protection of children who are abused, neglected or at risk of harm.

CHILD PROTECTION IN BARBADOS

The story which continues to incense sensible Barbadians of a child being abused by two adults on Kadooment Day is rapidly reaching the end of the seven day period for top billing. Director of the Child Care Board (CCB) Joan Crawford, goaded by the public outcry, is quoted in the media that the widely circulated picture will be forwarded to the Police for investigation. Implied in the action by the CCB is that there is enough evidence to support a case of child abuse.

It was interesting to listen to Joan Crawford explaining that the picture does not expose the faces of the adults in the picture therefore it will be difficult to locate the individuals. Her apologetic observation begs the question, is Miss Crawford a member of the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF)? She is obligated to report the matter and let the RBPF used its sleuthing skills to locate the individuals.

Continue reading

RPB Wins Number 10 But ‘Weh Dem Judges’?

Submitted by Hamilton Hill

The Bag wins number 10!

In the song “Congratulations” Adonijah makes the bold claim that the NCF picks judges who are blind. Since I know three of those that sat last evening, I can say to Ado, yah lie. Let me forget Ado for a sec and turn to the powers that be at the Normally Controversial Festival. How do you move the show to the gym and not tell the judges? We now know that they were at Kensington. Is what wrong wid all yah?

I confess that I saw the show through the trusted eyes of the Starcom team, and as a big time Bag fan I am happier this morning than Owen was when Mia agreed to fall in line. I am as happy as I am dumbfounded that Gabby came third. Gabby did not beat AC. Nor did he beat Popsicle, Chrystal, nor Adonijah, all of whom also kicked Ian Webster’s ass.

A sense of euphoria filled my soul when it dawned on me that the gift wrapped toilet-tissue was finally outta here. If in the final tabulation the last song performed  brings up the rear of the pack, nuf nuf people would be mocking Gabby and singing the one line that made any sense from the nonsense he sang in the first half. “Oh God”. With the judges at de oval while the show was at de gym perhaps even De Announcer beat poor Chrystal Cummings-Beckles.

Thank You Red Plastic Bag

Red Plastic Bag

Red Plastic Bag recently celebrated his 51st birthday and it reminded the BU household how much we admire all he has achieved over a 30 year period. He is a Calysonian who turned ‘professional’ and has been able to make a success of it. No easy task. His brand is well known locally and he has achieved some success outside of Barbados.

What has truly endeared The Bag to many has not only been his commitment to producing good music over a 30 year stretch. It has also been his deportment. We observe how prevalent it is for performers to exploit the demand for smut to gain popularity. Red Plastic Bag has achieved success by adhering to a standard which embodies traditional Bajan values.  He has never deviated from it. The fact he has not made Rihanna millions does not change the fact that he is a success. Thankfully some of us still believe that success is not defined by money.

One of the unfortunate outcomes of Crop Over competitions – which Bag has dominated  – has been how it has negatively shaped public opinion and coloured how many view his achievements. Through it all RPB has practiced his profession in a manner which makes all right thinking Barbadians proud of his achievements.

On behalf of the BU household we wish to congratulate Red Plastic Bag.

Rest in Peace Julian

Submitted by Caswell Franklyn

The late Julian Albert Marryshow – click image to offer condolences.

A notice in the obituaries of the Midweek Nation of July 25, 2012 informed us of the passing of Julian Albert Marryshow on July 17, 2012, and further that he was cremated in a private ceremony a week later on July 24th. I am sure that his quiet departure from the scene was done in accordance with his wishes. After all, he was not one to crave the limelight or even claim the accolades that were rightly his.

By now many would be asking, Julian Who? The answer to that will not redound to who we are as Barbadians. It is a carefully kept secret that he was the man who was responsible for the introduction of our Crop Over Festival. The xenophobic revisionist among us would want to exclude his pioneering role in the development of something that is considered to be an integral part of our Barbadian culture from History. My understanding is that he drew his first breath in Grenada which to some is all that is needed to exclude him from his rightful place in History.

Continue reading

Crop Over Costumes Cost Too Much

Submitted by Old Onions Bag

Barbados Superstar Rihanna ‘jumped’ in 2011

What you pay for, is what you get?
******************
As promised I said I was going to write this one…a no brainer. Last price obtained for a band costume et al was $ 5oo flat…Horse shoed for real for that green. But has one ever wondered or done the calculations on this ask. What are you getting for your hard earned cash?

What you can see upfront of course….(no pun here) a lil pantsy and bra-D covered with beads and feathers from Samaroo’s here or in T&T..(either case forex outbound) cost of materials and time..give it $100 max. $120 if elaborate head gear. What else? Why there is security, $10, Admin $10,drinks $50,Food $20,Band party $ 25 and we being generous here.
How much that is let’s see…I make that $215- $235. Hmmm…nice bottom line of $285 per reveller. For a band of 2000 revellers , a nice profit of $570,000. Not bad for a budding entrepreneur planning to work three months a year.

But not being officious, people have been loving what they have been getting for years. Last reports the whole Sha Bangle is said to rake in $100 Million in economic activity….so who gives a care?

After all, the people do need to unwind and thereby releasing all pressures,so what if a few “blenzas” with it as well…… Long Live Crop Over!

Time To Go 95% LOCAL Music!

Stephen Lashley, Minister of Culture

A few weeks ago while listening to the highly entertaining and informative Fireworks Show on VOB radio, kudos to Dennis Johnson and Carol Roberts (in the PM), Minister of Culture Stephen Lashley called the program.  During his contribution he voiced his displeasure at the low level of local music being played by local radio stations. BU is onside with the minister, we definitely need to make some ‘earth moving’ decisions about how we leverage the power of the airwaves to kickstart a revolution in local music which continues to endure labour pains.

It boggles the mind why a minister of government in 2012 should have to plead for Disc Jocks et al to play more local music for several reasons. The two reasons at the top of the BU pile:

It is approaching near 40 years since Crop Over was restarted and synonymous with the festival is the making of music, usually calypso. Through the years local entertainers have produced some wonderful music which to this day continues to thrill the locals and others abroad. BU conservatively estimate if we have produced 250 songs in the near 40 year period there is a calypso/soca repository of songs of about 9000+. Perhaps Dennis Johnson can tell us if this is not sufficient music to adequately fill  the airwaves should we decide to make the push to GO 95% LOCAL. Imagine our horror to listen to the government owned station pushing hip hop two weeks ago by none other than Admiral who should know better!

Continue reading

Barbados Crop Over, The Greatest Summer Festival On Earth

Whether you judge based on the plane loads of Barbadians and tourists disembarking at Grantley Adams Airport, the jam-packed fetes, the many cruises off the West Coast of Barbados, the bumper to bumper traffic around Bridgetown many with H-number plates, capped by a rising excitement triggered by the culminating events of Pic of the Crop Finals, Foreday Morning, Bridgetown Market, Cohobblopot and the street jam Kadooment, Barbadians at home and abroad for the next few days will forget that world remains gripped in a world of economic uncertainty for a few days at least.

If the above was not enough to excite, next week Barbados will host Rihanna, arguably the world’s most visible entertainer in the WORLD at Kensington Oval to a sold out arena numbering 25,000. Did we mention that Rihanna is a Bajan?

What Barbados Has On Offer For Visitors And Locals Alike

It is Crop Over and the question on the lips of visitors and some locals is where can we go, what can we do to enjoy Barbados. In the spirit of the season BU updates the following information.

Barbados – a Webpage as it appears in the UK Telegraph – Our Barbados homepage features holiday ideas and travel advice including expert hotel reviews and all our latest Barbados articles.

Click here to find out more!

Barbados Sports Camp holiday

Barbados Sports Camp: in the footsteps of legends

At the Barbados Sports Club, Jim White enjoys a cricket-and-football-filled week in the Caribbean sunshine.

16 Jul 2010

Joel Garner’s Barbados

Barbados with Joel Garner

Simon Briggs joins the cricketer Joel Garner at a Barbados institution – the Friday fish fry in Oistins.

16 Jul 2010

Barbados: Sun, sea and G&T

Barbados: Sun, sea and G&T

For good old-fashioned charm, look no farther than the west coast of Barbados. Continue reading

ENTREPRENEURSHIP – Latest Buzz Word For Government

Sandra Husbands, Barbados Labour Party Candidate for St. James South

The revival of the demand for a relatively unknown entertainment licence has frustrated the efforts of many promoters to host Crop Over fetes resulting in losses for this sector. It is a reflection of the regard with which small businesses are held by government. This economic crisis has taken a toll on the small business sector that now reels from diminished spending power of its customers, and rising costs to do business, compliments of the international environment and government taxation policy. Hundreds of small shops, professional services, contractors, fisherfolk, retail shops, cosmetologists, IT service providers, general services providers are now operating on a third of the income they commanded in better years or in some cases closing. Loss of private sector jobs have come primarily in this sector as small business employers have been forced to cut hours, lay off, reduce purchases of goods and services. Many are unable to meet payments and statutory obligations such as rent, wages, loans, utilities, suppliers, increased licensing fees, NIS, PAYE, and VAT. The international environment and questionable government policy squeeze from both sides robbing these businesses of necessary oxygen to survive. Their demise affects significant investment capital, and the employment opportunities for the young graduates and school leavers, now some 12,000 strong. The growing number of empty commercial spaces is testimony to closures in this sector.

Taking government at its word that it is committed to the small business sector, in 2008, the request to government was as a strategy to aid the small business sector to survive the unfolding crisis was to ensure that 40% of government contracts worth 200m be distributed to this sector which would support close to 1000 small businesses. This would have protected more than 4000 jobs thus stabilising the unemployment figures without gov’t swelling the civil service. This money would flow through the economic system benefitting a wider network of persons into the retail and services sectors, banking system, large businesses etc, thus sustaining government revenues through VAT receipts, duties, income tax and corporation tax. Instead we witnessed a contraction in the use of small businesses in the tenders for government contracts, which have become concentrated into fewer hands.

Continue reading

Guh Down, Guh Down, Down De Toilet – The Chicks Are Coming Home To Roost

The video like many is being circulated on Facebook and captures some of our young children dancing to the popular Lil Rick song Guh Down. BU notes that there are adults in the thick of things. In the words given currency by Fred R. Barnard, a picture is worth a thousand words.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things – King James Bible

Should The Barbados Board of Tourism Lead The Way In The Revival Of Our Crop Over Festival?

Submitted by People’s Democratic Congress (PDC)

Another Crop Over Festival in Barbados has ended, with entertainer  Blood capturing the Road March title from other contenders with the song “Foot on Fire”. And truth be told, had NOT for its own capacity to be made so intensely commercially viable but so wretchedly politically exploitable by a few power-hungry money-grubbing people, this Crop Over Festival would have long gone by the way side like it previously did.

But, like the wider society, polity, and so-called economy in Barbados, this really little, cultural extravaganza, a micro-cosm, is being used by many elites/government functionaries for the primary purposes of aiding in the elite/state political exploitation of the masses and middle classes by ideological financial cultural imperialist means.

So, while there is no longer – as it really was – during the old Barbadian plantation enslavement society  – the burning of “Mr. Harding” to signal the ending of Crop Over festivities and the beginning of “hard times” in between the Crop Seasons then, and while there is no longer in today’s post-independence Barbadian society too – but quite regrettably however – the burning of Mr. Harding to signify the end of the modern day Crop Over Festival, it can be safely argued by the People’s Democratic Congress (PDC) that long since those days when the Crop Over Festival was revived by the Barbados Board of Tourism in 1974, to principally woo more tourists to the island during the so-called summer season in Barbados, following its demise in the 1940s owing to the continuing decline in the importance of the sugar industry to the Barbados economy, there would have been many fundamentally wrong and senseless decisions and policies linking the Crop Over Festival more and more to local Tourism,
a very fickle, culturally destructive industry, to increase its commercial income generating potential.

Continue reading

Altercation Between 2010 Calypso King Mighty Gabby And Tony ‘Admiral’ Nelson Backstage Cohobblopot Show

Mighty Gabby, Calypso King

Tony 'Admiral' Nelson

At a time when the country is struggling with indiscipline, the gun incident between Minister David Estwick and former Attorney General in the highest court of the land would not have helped. This matter remains outstanding several months after the incident occurred. The latest is that the matter has been referred to the Committee of Privileges by the Speaker of the House. Yet another matter buried to fade with time by our politicians.

Late late night the news broke that the 2010 Calypso King of Barbados was engaged in an altercation with CBC Radio Personality Tony ‘Admiral’ Nelson backstage at Cohobblopot, Kensington Oval. It seemed inevitable that something would snap among Crop Over stakeholders after the booing incident at Bushy Park last weekend. The crowd showed its displeasure at Terencia ‘TC’ Coward being declared one of the winners.  TC reacted in an unprecedented manner by forfeiting her right to participate in the face off with Anderson ‘Blood’ Anderson giving up her chance to win a car!

Pictures (only) compliments of Peter Boyce’s Facebook page.

Continue reading

Adults Wearing School Uniforms To Crop Over Parties, Are They Also Supporting The Alumni And Parent Teachers Associations?

Joy Workman and Eudine Barriteau (right), deputy principal of the University of the West Indies - Photo Credit Nation Newspaper

The 2010 Crop Over Festival is about to reach its climax. Tonight will see the staging of Cohobblopot which is being promoted with all local performers; a departure from the past two years. Tomorrow the masqueraders will take to the road to jump on Kadooment Day on a new route which has generated the usual controversy among the band leaders. All in all the NCF directorate seems to be happy with how the festival has gone so far. Not sure the criteria which is being used.

Before the festival closes we want to share our opinion on the growing popularity by adults to wearing their school uniforms to Crop Over fetes. The fetes are openly promoted as ‘Back to School Fetes’, to be admitted a school uniform must* be worn. There was one such fete a couple weeks ago by Power X 4 which attracted thousands of party people and the police had to stop the fete for security reasons. If Barbadians did not have an opinion on the matter the outspoken Minister of Education Ronald Jones provoked many given his position on the matter.

“. . . Because of the profound respect I had for the uniform of my school, I am not wearing that to any fete, before school, after school, or even during school, especially during vacation; unless it was a special programme organised by my school where you ask the students to turn up in their uniforms.

“How far we have drifted. The kind of respect we hold to certain symbols that give us authority, that give us presence in our schools. There are so many things that people can do to enjoy themselves. I want them to leave the uniforms alone. I want them to leave the uniforms for the symbols of the schools,” Jones said” – Nation Newspaper.

Continue reading

Squeezing The Culture Out Of Crop Over

BU has stepped out of our comfort area a few times to comment on our premier festival, Crop Over. It is a festival which has morphed from a cultural expression of a people to a wukup, mash up, drink up party. The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) appears to have lost control of the festival.

Continue reading

Knowing Right From Wrong

How/Getty

Last weekend the sporting world witnessed a fairy tale ending to a fabulous story when Phil Mickelson won his third green jacket at the Masters Golf Tournament held in Augusta, Georgia. During an emotional victory speech, Mickelson spoke to the challenges his family has had to overcome for the last year. His wife Amy has had to endure chemotherapy as she continues to battle the big C, along with his mother.

On the flipside Tiger Woods had hoped to win his fifth green jacket after returning from a five month self-imposed exile. Lest we forget Tiger ran away from the game after his adulterous exploits were laid bare for the world to stare.  In one week which the world will never forget the pristine image of the once revered Tiger Woods vanished in the twinkling of an eye. When the final golf stroke was struck at Augusta on Sunday afternoon many would have breathed a sigh of relief; Michelson at the top of the leaderboard, and Tiger in the unaccustomed position of fourth.  Given all that Michelson has had to handle compared to the disgraced Tiger Woods, it seemed fitting the moral of this story should be the “family man” who triumphed over the “#1 player.”Whether we want to admit it, prominent people influence the way others think.

Some are saying the Government’s recent intervention to stop the Movada Kartel peace concert, followed by the announcement of a zero tolerance policy to filter smutty lyrics for the 2010 Crop Over season will lead to a nanny state. The idea that individual freedoms will be violated, some fear may lead our Government to not know where to draw the line. Every year we have Vic ‘the Parrot’ Fernandes and his sidekick Ronnie Clarke adopting a Pontius Pilate position when asked to explain Starcom’s contribution to the deteriorating moral base in Barbados. We have former Chairman of the National Cultural Foundation Al Gilkes whose remit along with his sidekicks is to flood Barbados with all the smutty Jamaican Dancehall artistes who are in need of money. The fact that a cloud of tampie smoke has seasonally descended on Farley Hill during Reggae Songfest appears to be of little concern to the organisers or the authorities. If our Fourth Estate and leaders in society have surrendered all for the sake of greed where will it end?

Continue reading

Crop Over And Growing A Waistline Culture

verseewildpushitback

VerseeWild Push It Back Music Video - Bajantube.com

As we do with the 11-plus Examination Barbadians engage the same conversations every year come Crop Over time; too much wukkin-up, lyrics too lewd and quality of the music, and the stakeholders who stoke controversy etc. In 2009, add to the list whether the festival should  proceed in light of the H1N1 virus threat and the mother of all issues the leak of the 18 semi-finals of the Pic-O-De-Crop competition.

What is evident to BU is the transition from a culture driven festival to one greatly influenced by economic considerations. Is it not obvious to the decision makers that  there is a conflict of interest if the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) continues in the role of sole producer of the festival? The Crop Over Festival is the premier national event used to attract visitors to Barbados, a bonus benefit is the large number of Barbadians living overseas who see Crop Over as the ideal time to visit the land of their birth. There is no question the important economic activity which is linked to Crop Over.

In our opinion culture issues have taken a backseat in recent years at the expense of  running the festival as a business. BU has no issue with the need to make money, however it is important to have the correct model to satisfy the business side as well as the need to facilitate cultural expression.

The burning question which must be given serious thought is, can the NCF adequately enable the environment to accommodate cultural expression and in the process grow the cultural industries in Barbados?

Continue reading

Is Wuking Up "Without limits" Barbadian Culture?

Submitted by Yardbroom

Youths ‘wukking up’ 2 ‘Go Stabby’ during the Bajan Kadooment

In recent years a certain type of wuking up has become a popular Barbadian pastime. Its popularity has meant there is now a license to do anything in public, providing it is accompanied by music. My intention is not to take a moral view on this issue as I do not have that authority. However, if participants display in public, they cannot be surprised if people comment on a public medium.

Last year I saw a boy not more than ten years of age wuking up behind a fully grown woman. As the tempo of the music increased the boy got closer to the woman, encouraged by a crowd of adults who witnessed the spectacle. I moved away on seeing this exhibition, as I felt uncomfortable. Continue reading

All This Talk About Culture

FunBarbados

Source:FunBarbados

Crop Over 2008 is now history and if we are to judge by the pronouncements of the Minister of Culture Steve Blackett and the Officials at the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), it was a resounding success. Some people may question what was the yardstick used to measure success; the Minister and his supporting cast seem to have used the fact that there was high people participation. While more people may have participated the BU household has some concerns.

Crop Over – the concept was promoted in the early days as a celebration by Barbadians to recognize a successful sugar cane harvest. Over the years it has evolved to a carnival. Despite the obvious shift from its early anchor BU remain married to the original concept. Crop Over should be used as the flagship event to lift the Barbados cultural experience. While we have no problem with experimenting with the festival’s core design, promoting the Bajan identity MUST remain the main plot.

We listened with interest to Dennis Johnson who continues to be one of the few genuine personalities on talk radio. He made the same point which we have made above. To paraphrase what he said, he talked about Barbadians diluting their ‘Bajanness’ in order to assimilate into other cultures. Barbadians seem to be blessed with a characteristic which says that if we have to surrender our ‘Bajanness’ to make others happy, so be it. The BU household is uncompromising in the view that if a nation is confused about its identity it will inevitably lead to dire consequences. Continue reading

Red Hot Cohobblopot Compliments Of Bajantube.com

Bajantube.com Lil Jon Pit Bull & Machel at Cohobblopot
Bajantube.com Cohobblopot – Edwin Nah Missing Me
Bajantube.com Cohobblopot – Edwin Yardie
Bajantube.com Cohobblopot – Khiomal Unleash De Beast
Bajantube.com Cohobblopot – Krosfyah Sake Passe
Bajantube.com Cohobblopot – Khiomal Til Morning
Bajantube.com Cohobblopot – Khiomal Bashment Bacchanal
Bajantube.com Cohobblopot – Edwin Handle Yuh Bizness
Bajantube.com Cohobblopot – Farmer Nappy Chippin
Bajantube.com Cohobblopot – Machel Montano part 1
Bajantube.com Lil Jon’s Interview at Cohobblopot
Bajantube.com Patrice Roberts’ Interview at Cohobblopot
Bajantube.com Cohobblopot – Machel Montano part 2
Bajantube.com Cohobblopot – Rupee
Bajantube.com Cohobblopot – Machel Montano part 3
Bajantube.com Cohobblopot – Machel Montano & Patrice Roberts
Bajantube.com Cohobblopot – Machel Montano & Poonka
Bajantube.com Cohobblopot – Zan
Bajantube.com Cohobblopot – T.O.K
Bajantube.com Cohobblopot – David Rudder
Bajantube.com Cohobblopot – Patrice Roberts
Bajantube.com Cohobblopot – Machel Montano Oil and Music

One More Time Brewster Road Crew Aug 08-08

Machel Montano Spices-up Cohobblopot For Crop Over 2008

l-r David Rudder,Patrice Roberts,Pit Bull,Machel Montano and Lil Jon

Bajan Reporter gave the blogosphere his opinion on the bubbling hot controversy which is simmering in the Cohobblopot – see link Caribbean Integration Hypocrisy – Red Hot Controversy? How can extra coverage and sharing of knowledge be detrimental to Barbadian calypso? Choopse!, we agree with a lot of what he wrote. However some additional things can be said.

One of the key feature events on the Crop Over calendar is Cohobblopot. It has historically been produced by the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), except on one occasion to represent a potpourri of Barbadian culture. The event has suffered its highs and lows through the years. In recent times the lows have been coming all too regular for a myriad of reasons. There is no doubt that the lack of management talent at the NCF, combined with inconsistent performance by local entertainers along with regular doses of controversy have dogged the major event.

The latest controversy sparked by the participation of Soca Superstar Machel Montano we have viewed from several viewpoints. Continue reading

Bajantubes Weekly Crop Over Top 20

1. Edwin Yearwood – Handle Yuh Bizness
2. Pong – On Pon It
3. Lil Rick & Gorg – Wuk Up U Hear Wha I Tell U
4. Lil Rick – One More Time
5. Nard – Socarobics
6. Edwin Yearwood – Nah Missing Me
7. Bobo – Riddem Of The West Indies
8. Rupee – Feet Don’t Fail Me
9. Alison Hinds & Lil Rick – Wash Off
10. Fraud Squad – Pork Mout
11. Abacu & Fakaroo ft Stabby – The African Song Rebootah
12. Stabby De Guard – Stabby
13. Natahlee – Sun Til Sun
14. Khiomal – Unleash De Beast
15. Jana & Rashida – Candy World
16. Mikey – Explosion
17. John Mahameed – Hold The Brass
18. Mr Dale – Til Um Dun
19. Square One ft Alison, Blood & Oshaka – We Gine Down
20. Hypasounds – Party Mood


Khiomal Start De Madness Music Video

Edwin Yearwood Nah Missing Me Music Video


SOCA ON DE HILL BAJANTUBE TV

It's Crop Over Time And Barbados Has Turned Into One Big Party Space

It is the penultimate weekend before the big Crop Over do. There is so much happening in Barbados by way of Fetes, Calypso Tents, Pic of the Crop Semis, Euphoria next week, Machel Montano’s big show at Llaro Court car park, Square One reunion at Kensington Oval, Brewster’s and Pork Limes and the list goes on. The BU family wish the festival well given it significant contribution to the national coffers. As you all can see from the video (seen above) we are showing our age and make no apology for it. The Mighty Grynner’s presentation is vintage, while we appreaciate that the younger generation have a right to listen to what they heart’s desire, the BU household does not have to listen to the crap we have been watching on Bajantube portrayed as music :-). Continue reading

Crop Over Keeps On Going

Source: Nation Newspaper

This is the time of the year many Barbadians at home and abroad look forward to participating in our national Crop Over festival. What about those who directly participate in the tent goings, singing calypso etc, and the many others who benefit indirectly from the enormous economic activity which flows at this time of the year? We have seen numbers bandied about over the years about the true value of Crop Over to the national purse, maybe up to 400 million dollars. Whatever the true number all who should know agree that it is a significant contribution. Maybe it explains why year after year there is the predictable controversy about how much money should be allocated to the various stakeholders, and the Calypsonians usually head those with cap in hand.

The festival is comprised of several stakeholders e.g. National Cultural Foundation (NCF) and by extension government, musicians, masqueraders, sponsors and others. The festival has come along way since the early 70s. Many Barbadians we are told now depend on the festival for a significant percentage of their annual incomes. Yet again in 2008 there is the hint of a controversy regarding a clash between the show Euphoria staged by a private concern and the NCF’s Cohobblopot. Our recollection appears to be that the same conflict occured last year. Why can’t the stakeholders understand this is our premier national festival and not some rum shop activity? A couple weeks earlier we had the spat between the Calypso associations and the NCF over a planned tribute to Red Plastic Bag. The BU household was split down the middle on that matter but yet again a matter which could have been avoided with good planning and communication between the stakeholders. Continue reading

Bajantube's Weekly Crop Over Top 20

1. Pong – On Pon It
2. Bobo – Riddem Of The West Indies
3. Jana & Rashida – Candy World
4. Edwin Yearwood – Nah Missing Me
5. Nard – Socarobics
6. Hypasounds – Party Mood
7. Stabby De Guard – Stabby
8. Fraud Squad – Pork Mout
9. John Mahameed – Hold The Brass
10. Verseewild – Ahzam Wine
11. Edwin Yearwood – Handle Yuh Bizness
12. Lil Rick & Gorg – Wuk Up U Hear Wha I Tell U
13. Natahlee – Sun Til Sun
14. John Mahameed – The La La Song
15. Kirk Brown – Show Me
16. Square One ft Alison, Blood & Oshaka – We Gine Down
17. Rupee – Feet Don’t Fail Me
18. Mr Dale – Til Um Dun
19. Jabae – Barry Chandler – Nothing Sweeter Than Carnival
20. Lil Rick – Bus A Wine

PREMIERE OF KIRK BROWN SHOW ME MUSIC VIDEO (SOCA)

http://www.bajantube.com/play.php?vid=996

Bajan Top 20 Crop Over Tunes

1. Hypasounds – Party Mood
2. Edwin Yearwood – Nah Missing Me
3. Fraud Squad – Pork Mout
4. Jana & Rashida – Candy World
5. Pong – On Pon It
6. Stabby De Guard – Stabby
7. Kirk Brown – Show Me
8. Natahlee – Sun Til Sun
9. John Mahameed – Hold The Brass
10. Lil Rick – Bus A Wine
11. Khiomal – Start De Madness
12. John Mahameed – The La La Song
13. Edwin Yearwood – Handle Yuh Bizness
14. Lil Rick & Underdog – Break Away
15. Abacu & Fakaroo – The African Song
16. Nard – Socarobics
17. Verseewild – Ahzam Wine
18. Bobo – Riddem Of The West Indies

19. Lil Rick & Gorg – Wuk Up U Hear Wha I Tell U

20. Jabae – Barry Chandler – Nothing Sweeter Than Carnival

Top Crop Over Tunes For 2008

Top Crop Over tunes compliments of Bajan tube.com. BU family members are invited to visit Bajan tube and listen to the sweet calypso being released for Crop Over 2008.

1. EDWIN YEARWOOD – NAH MISSING ME
2. HYPASOUNDS – PARTY MOOD
3. STABBY DE GUARD – STABBY
4. KHIOMAL – START DE MADNESS
5. NATAHLEE – SUN TIL SUN
6. LIL RICK & UNDERDOG – BREAK AWAY
7. JANA & RASHIDA – CANDY WORLD
8. LIL RICK – BUS A WINE
9. JOHN MAHAMEED – HOLD THE BRASS
10. OMAR MCQUILKIN – DEM CANT STOP WE
11. ABACU & FAKAROO – THE AFRICAN SONG
12. KIRK BROWN (STRATEGY THE BAND) – SHOW ME
13. PONG – OFFSET
14. JUSTIN KING – SOAKING WET
15. ALISON HINDS – SOCA IN MEH VEINS
16. MALCOLM X, STYLES & RAMESES – SHAKE DAT BODY
17. KHIOMAL – TIL MORNIN
18. TARAH – ALL NITE
19. SPIN POOCH INK – TEXTING
20. RPB – WRONG GAL

Other Link

Latest Crop Over Tunes For 2008

Top Crop Over tunes compliments of Bajan tube.com. BU family members are invited to visit Bajan tube and listen to the sweet calypso being released for Crop Over 2008.

1. Stabby De Guard – Stabby
2.
Edwin Yearwood – Nah Missing Me
3.
Hypasounds – Party Mood
4.
Sicky – AAAAH!
5.
Khiomal – Start De Madness
6.
Abacu & Fakaroo – The African Song
7.
Lil Rick & Underdog – Break Away
8.
Lil Rick – Bus A Wine
9.
Spin Pooch Ink – Texting
10.
JANA & RASHIDA – CANDY WORLD

11.
PONG – OFFSET
12.
snakey dan – pelt waist
13.
John Mahameed – Hold The Brass
14.
CONTONE – HARD TIMES
15.
Mikey – Can’t Stop De Party
16.
Justin King – Soaking Wet
17.
Patrice Roberts Ft Machel Montano HD – Tempa Wine
18.
Nard – Nah Let Go
19.
Malcolm X, Styles & Rameses – Shake Dat Body
20.
Tarah – All Nite

Crop Over 2008 In Barbados Should Be A Dandy

east coast limers-crop-over-ncf

Click the Image

Crop Over 2008 is rapidly approaching. The arrival of the new government has seen a flood of decisions which many feel have the potential to disrupt our major festival. We hope not! We have heard talk from the government that they will be outsourcing key parts of the festival this year. Word is that the Madd Boys, KB Clean et al will be taking over the potentially lucrative Cohobblopot. Can Peter Boyce confirm? We checked his blog BoyceVoice but did not see any mention of it. Maybe Ian Bourne over at Bajan Reporter, the hardworking Cultural Reporter in the Bajan Blogosphere can enlighten us. We know the Madd boys have shown themselves to be astute business men and we wish them well.

One question which keeps cropping up in the BU household, if Cohobblopot or some other part of the festival is to be outsourced, can someone tell us if there is a tendering process in place? So far we have seen or heard nothing in the media to indicate to John Public what is the process governing the outsource process. Maybe Ian Walcott a former Project Development Officer with the National Cultural Foundation can shed some light.

Continue reading

Crop Over 2008 Under Threat

gabby-picture.jpg

Who gabby think he is….

I waiting to cuss he stink

Who gabby think he is…

Before you get all excited and telephone Gabby with the news that Boyce say he gun curse he, the opening you see above are lyrics from Gabby’s own calypso “Who Gabby think he is”. Which brings me to my point, Gabby seems to think he will be Cultural Ambassador forever. Anthony “Gabby” Carter is more than my friend, he gave Madd comedians our first big break performing in Battleground calypso tent when we had just left Combermere in 1982. I have a tremendous respect for Gabby; you need to read one of my first posts “What the ass is a cultural ambassador anyways?” where I lamented that Gabby was not given enough real power and authority to go with his prestigious title.

However, the Government has changed and protocol dictates that all ambassadors and boards of directors appointed by the previous administration make their resignations available to the new government. I read in the newspaper where ambassadors from New York, United Kingdom, Africa and Timbuktu have sent in their resignation letters. But not Gabby. He is maintaining his position and waiting to see what the new Minister will do. So all the remarks wunna drop, saying that Gabby like he “switch sides” and how he sing pun de DLP celebration motorcade, even Kidsite throw a song punch at he at the Rihanna tribute show. But Gabby is not budging.

Source: Boyce Voice Blog

We have been following the issue of Gabby making his feeling known about how he wants to remain as the Cultural Ambassador of Barbados. According to media reports he has refused to tender his resignation which protocol usually dictates he should have done by now. The Boyce Voice blog is also reporting sources close to the National Cultural Foundation as indicating that CEO Ian Estwick’s contract will not be renewed.

In a related matter:

Although the BU household are not the greatest Crop Over fans in the world, we concede that the festival does generate a tidy sum for the treasury of Barbados. Against this background we have become somewhat concerned about the rapid fire changes which have been made, and others which our sources have indicated are to be made public soon. We have no problem with the new government wanting to make Crop Over Festival for 2008 bigger and better but it is a little late in the day to be ringing the big changes. A sensible approach which Minister Steve Blackett might consider is to let this year’s festival play-out and look to next year to make his mark.

Crop Over is our premier national festival and its success impacts all economic activity in Barbados. As “David” (If KB can do it so can we) stated in a press conference recently, it also has socio-political implications. We urge all the stakeholders to thread very carefully on this one. Along with other Barbadians, Barbados Underground will be watching how this developing saga unravels at West Terrace in the coming days and weeks.

Is cronyism and yardfowlism still alive and well under the Democratic Labour Party reign?

Owen Arthur To Rescue Crop Over Festival~Whose Heads Will Roll?

ncfheader.jpg

Crop Over Out Of NCF’s Hands
Web Posted – Wed Aug 22 2007
This year, 2007, is the last year that the local Crop Over Festival will be managed under its present institutional arrangements. The above was disclosed by Prime Minister of Barbados, Owen Arthur, as he spoke at the Prime Minister’s Meeting on the Crop Over Festival, held at the Barbados Hilton Hotel, yesterday. The one-of-a-kind meeting was one in which the Finance Minister, who is also Minister of Culture, set back his day’s schedule, to address issues relating to the future of the festival as presented to him by the many stakeholders of Crop Over, who turned out for the special meeting.

 

Source: Advocate


Prime Minister Owen Arthur is a master tactician. For many of the months he has been Minister of Culture he could easily be described as one of the most invisible Ministers to have held the portfolio. As General Elections rapidly approach Arthur has seen the opportunity to curry favor with Barbadian voters by announcing a restructure of the Crop Over festival at a time criticism has become more strident. We have witnessed the taken for granted band leaders threatening to boycott the festival next year which prompted an emotional outburst from the President of the Police Association Mr.Hartley Reid. There has been the public admission by followers of the calypso art form that standard of the music has been slipping and the time has come to chart a new path. Some pundits will say that the straw to snap the camel’s back was the “boycott” of flagship Cohobblopot 2007 by leading entertainers. It also became obvious that the Barbados Tourism Authority is being placed in an untenable position if they are asked to market key events in the festival which encourages people to travel thousands of miles and then our key entertainers refuse to perform.

Continue reading

Culture Needs Leadership In Barbados~Bring Back Elombe Mottley To Rescue The National Cultural Foundation

Grand Kadooment
The full force of the energy of the Season is unleashed at Grand Kadooment – the culmination to the Festival. The day is an extended period of gay abandon for costumed revellers that sees from the National Stadium to Spring Garden Highway awash with the colours of Crop Over. The colours represent the creative efforts of our masquerade designers and the band leaders in their various artistic thematic interpretations. The costumed bands are judged in a number of categories and impressive prizes are awarded.

 

Source: NCF

nation.jpg

Source: Nation

Crop Over 2007 is being branded by most people we have met as one of the worse witnessed in recent years. Although the festival avoided much of the controversy which has enveloped in prior years, the tragedy of the Horse Hill accident which resulted in six dead, the questioning of the judges at both Pic and Tune of the Crop competitions, and the final straw where escalating violence ruined the revelry on the road for many of the costume bands made it not a good year to use the parlance associated with wine drinking.

 

Continue reading

Crop Over 2007: Red Plastic Bag Steals The Pic-Of-The-Crop Crown From "Blood"

bp42903.jpg

 

Singing under the Bacchanal Time tent, he confidently delivered “Bajans Can’t See”, and “Look Meh Hey” to gain 409 points. He wrestled the title from second placed Blood, from the narrowest of margins, .25 of a point. Blood, carrying the banner for the Headliners tent, amassed 408.75 points for his near flawless and highly emotional performances of “Calypso Owes You Nothing” and “For The Children.”

Source: Nation Article

The picture portrays Red Plastic Bag, moments after being awarded the Pic of the Crop trophy last night at the stadium. BU have enjoyed the performances of RPB over the years but last night should have been Blood’s night. Blood was strong in melody, rendition and his lyrics were as relevant as RPB’s. The result begs the question — is the judging system stacked against other performers when the “big guns” participate.

There seems to be another controversy brewing; only the press from CBC being allowed on the winning stage last night. At BU we definitely think so.

Congratulations to the RPG; he did not judge himself!

Barbados Crop Over 2007 Continues To Swirl In Controversy

New NCF D.D.A (Diss De Artistes) Dept Doing Well

Posted by: peter

office-pic.JPG

The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) yesterday announced the establishment of a new department dedicated to the cultural industries of Barbados. The CEO at a press conference proudly introduced a new initiative of the NCF entitled D.D.A meaning – the “Diss De Artistes” department.
Source: boycevoice blog

 

This weekend is the last lap for Crop Over 2007.  It seems appropriate given all that has happen during the season to donate some BU space to examining one of the many issues troubling the festival…

Peter Boyce’s name is sure to always surface around Crop Over time. He and his school mates on leaving school have been able to brand themselves in the entertainment industry in Barbados. Few would deny they have demonstrated over the years that they are excellent businessmen given their success with Bachannal Time calypso tent. Peter Boyce is often credited with challenging the status quo at the risk to his personal reputation. Regrettably, most Barbadians because of their inclination to want to avoid conflict prefer that Peter Boyce would shut-up and just go away. BU over the years would not have agreed on some of the issues which Peter has introduced, but in general we have a healthy respect for the man who has not been afraid to air and defend his position on behalf of his colleagues involved in Crop Over industry.

Continue reading

Barbados Crop Over 2007 & Alison Hinds, Sweetness Fuh Days!

It is that time of the season and the BU household got de fevah fevah! Please forgive us but we just love Alison Hinds even though she is Square One less 🙁

So all you people, especially the Bajans on the outside looking in, get on a plane and join the carnival!

Check Out the best entertainment blog about Barbados!

Trinidadians "Take-Over" Of Barbadian Kadooment Bands

Big stick over Baje

Published on: 6/21/07.

by RICKY JORDAN

SOME THICK FANS wanting to jump with the popular Baje International Kadooment band feel they’re getting the thin end of the stick. A complaint about discrimination and the unavailability of large-sized costumes has been making the rounds, claiming that only a limited number of “special orders” – which includes double and triple extra-large costumes – were offered to customers by Baje’s band, Lost Tribe. According to a few full-sized women who wanted to jump with the band, Baje only made five “special orders” for each of its eight sections.

Source: Nation

Read this news article and almost choked.

Hell, even the Kadooment bands getting “take-over” by the Trinidadians. This morning the story broke that fat people who want to jump with the popular Crop Over band Baje International are being told a loud, NO! The “official excuse” provided by the band leader Richard Haynes__only five “big costumes” were made for each of the eight sections of the band. Consequently Baje International is unable to satisfy the demand from the “big, fat and thick” Barbadians.

Continue reading