Benz “Mr Gwada”
My Very Own Culture is Bouyon, Soca &Amp; Cadence
INTERVIEW WITH
BENZ aka “Mr Gwada” singer/songwriter — born in the Caribbean island Dominica & raised by his grandparents in a Very small fishing community know as “Layou”
“MY VERY OWN CULTURE IS BOUYON, SOCA & CADENCE”
Musically, as a kid dancehall music played a great role in influencing me to want to sing. But growing up I have learnt to love and appreciate my very music culture which is bouyon, soca and cadence.
BOUYON TO THE WORLD
Bouyon music is a music genre which was originated from Dominica. It a fusion of Dominica traditional music with a more modern rhythmic influence. The genre was created by the WCK band in the 80s.
Bouyon music is what the whole world identify Dominica with today.. Just as reggae to Jamaica .
“The music since then has become very popular in the Caribbean region and to some extent internationally, but more can be done to make the genre Better known worldwide. I personally has been very adamant on the campaign to get bouyon better promoted overseas..
I think the main solution to this is for the artist to better organized themselves by forming associations which will deal with matters concerning bouyon music specifically. The next crucial step have to be government and stakeholders must support and invest in bouyon music as a marketing and tourism product..”
MR GWADA
The name started out as a joke on the block and streets of Guadeloupe after I left Dominica to join my father who lives in Guadeloupe. It became official after I did one of the biggest recent bouyon songs entitled “GWADA” the song speaks about my personal experience living in Guadeloupe and about the Gwada lifestyle and culture.
I started of the song with a line which goes like “let me tell u about Gwada” so since after this song I have been labeled Mr Gwada.
“We should promote the Creole language & culture even in the music.. it’s very important because at the end of the day it’s what make bouyon music and our people so unique..It’s a part of our identity”
I love speaking the Creole language and also think it should be part or our school curriculum.
COME JOIN..
Me and my team we are very excited about my new soca release “come join me”.
It was produce by one of Caribbean top soca producers Krishna “Dada” Lawrence who also happens to be from Dominica.
It’s part of the daydream riddim compilation which includes top soca artists from around the Caribbean.
As we speak I’m currently shooting the official music video for COME JOIN ME. The video is being done by the award winning 365 MMP video company.
Look forward to it release very soon!
I’d love for my fans to look out for my new video come join me also look out for more new releases in the coming weeks leading up to carnival..I would also like to send out an invitation to fans and carnival lovers out there to come down to Dominica in February to play mass 27 to 28th
DOMINICA’S CARNIVAL 🇩🇲
Dominica carnival is one of the most exciting carnival in the world and it’s very popular for our very own bouyon and calypso music which is played on the road for carnival Monday and Tuesday.
THE SENSAY MAS COSTUMES is a must to see and also the various costume and t-shirt band and big trucks on the road all of which makes Dominica carnival “the real mass” so special.
For the carnival season I’ll be taking part in annual bouyon monarch where the bouyon artist compete for the coveted price to be the king of the bouyon every year.
I’ll also be taking part in various carnival fete around the island and some of the official carnival opening ceremony.
Saturday 11 February — I’ ll be having my MR GWADA t-shirt band alongside Surprise Beach/HD FRESH on the road for the official opening of St.Joseph carnival.
I’m also the organizer of an annual fete name “ Titiwi Festival” & I’d like to invite everyone
TITIWI FESTIVAL is one of the biggest event on island which takes place in my community Layou. It takes place later down in the year in September month end.
Dream festival & musical collaboration ?
WCK BAND — Pioneers of Bouyon Music
Notting Hill & Berlin carnival would definitely be on the top of my list.. a feature with our very own WCK bouyon pioneers & also BUNJI GARLIN is definitely something I’d like to add to my music catalogue
FROM BENZ TO KRIBBEAN
“Thanks to KRIBBEAN for always supporting & promoting my work”
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“I wish you all the best to continue this very important mission of promoting Caribbean culture”
More than a place.. a way of living!
