1. Personal Preferences and Experience
Interviewer: How did you get into DJing, and what drew you to Bouyon and Soca music specifically?
DJ Flip: Music has always been part of my life. From a young age, I enjoyed dancing and watching other DJs perform. As young as 5 years old, I was privileged to watch DJs like Slimmerz, Ice Kid, and 2kool Kris scratch records. Ever since then, I always wanted to become a DJ because I thought it was a cool job! Back in the 90s, WCK was a dominant band from Dominica. Their music was different; the rhythms were captivating. I later learned this was Bouyon music. It strikes your ears in a way that makes you dance! I was also born into listening to Soca with artists like Alston Becket Cyrus, Poorsah, Johnny Rebel, and Winston SoSo, who were great poets and storytellers. This drew me into both Soca and Bouyon.
Interviewer: Do you have a personal preference between Bouyon and Soca music?
DJ Flip: I really don’t have a preference because, as a musician, music is music, and good music is something you cannot deny. Both Bouyon and Soca have amazing music, so it’s difficult to choose. Bouyon has become more widespread recently, creating waves in major events across the Soca world. One of my greatest memories is playing a sequence of Bouyon music at an event and moving the entire crowd, which has become the norm lately.
2. Musical Elements and Differences
Interviewer: How would you describe the main musical differences between Bouyon and Soca?
DJ Flip: Bouyon is a recognition of real Dominican music, combining native instruments like the shak shak, tambourine, rhythmic guitar, a unique kick to the drum, and melodious pianos. In contrast, Soca spans across more of the Caribbean, such as T&T, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, and many other countries, with more melodies, harmonies, and storylines. Soca also varies in BPM and is divided into two broad categories: power and ragga Soca. Bouyon beats have more native instruments with similar rhythm patterns, leading to consistent dance movements. Soca, however, has different modes. Bouyon is best represented by WCK & Tripple Kay, while Soca is currently represented by Machel Montano, Skinny Fabulous, Bunji Garlin, and Problem Child.
3. Cultural Significance
Interviewer: What role do you think Bouyon and Soca music play in their respective cultures?
DJ Flip: Both Bouyon and Soca bring people together in a festive way, demonstrating happiness and freedom through music, dancing, singing, drinking, and partying non-stop. These genres contribute significantly to Caribbean identity and heritage through annual festivals. Millions of people travel across the Caribbean to experience Carnivals, keeping the music alive. Soca has a broader reach and more influence than Bouyon, mainly due to the dominance of Soca artists over the years.
4. Audience and Popularity
Interviewer: How do audiences typically respond to Bouyon music versus Soca music at your events?
DJ Flip: Currently, the audience has been receiving Bouyon more enthusiastically than Soca at my events. Bouyon’s unique differences make it sound new and exciting to modern partygoers. Bouyon has been on an incline over the years, but not by a significant margin compared to Soca. The demographics for both genres are mainly partygoers between the ages of 16-35. The Caribbean embraces both Soca and Bouyon as one.
5. Challenges and Opportunities
Interviewer: What challenges do you face when mixing or playing Bouyon and Soca music in your sets?
DJ Flip: There are no challenges when mixing or playing Bouyon and Soca in my sets. Both genres can evolve to stay relevant by producing more video content and behind-the-scenes footage as marketing tools. Hypa4000’s “Wuk Up” and Skinny Fabulous are Soca artists who have made headlines singing on Bouyon Riddims, showing how both genres go hand in hand.
6. Future of the Genres
Interviewer: Where do you see the future of Bouyon and Soca music heading in the next decade?
DJ Flip: Bouyon and Soca music have great potential to represent their genres globally, similar to how Afrobeat has recently surged. I would advise aspiring DJs to follow their heart and trust in their vision. Hard work will pay off. Both genres can promote the Caribbean on a global scale by incorporating each other’s styles into festivals and collaborating closely to create unique fusion products.