Interview by Valérie Toto

The FSL have paved their own way since 2008

The founding members

BLANKA and SO SO are true Soca Music and Caribbean culture enthusiasts. They set everything up for the association, they manage the marketing and the socials.

 

RIDDLA who needs no introduction, is gifted singer, as well as an outstanding performer. He remains very active in the FSL and he really helped with developing the social medias.

Musically speaking, he is the G.O.A.T to any genre, he knows his thing ! He has quite a few Soca records, the more recent one being “Le Deejay est Bon”.

➡️ Follow The French Soca Lovers Instagram | Facebook

Their Vision & Mission

FSL is an association that aims to gather the vast French Community of Soca enthusiasts and admirers, by providing a simple and unique mean of communication and exchanges while spreading of message of unity, sharing and solidarity.

“We are not just from the Caribbean. We represent any person speaking French who loves Soca.”

They gather Ethiopian, American, Canadian, people from Switzerland who speak French or of French origin, but also French people living in these countries who totally partake in the culture.

They also aim to:

• Promote Soca music and the French-Caribbean , musically, culturally as well as the French territories. All of this in order to develop and facilitate exchanges of any kind, such as tourism for instance
• Organize (or collaborate on ) worldwide events which promote the Caribbean and its culture
• Support any initiative which falls into their framework

To sum it up their goal is to create social links, as well as a true dynamic.

We have facilitated interactions by helping people to understand the lyrics of some Soca songs, helping them to be conscious of the customs, to seize the language and also by helping them organize their travel or carnival trip.

“We are always happy to see others making connections and getting the most of their travel throughout the region”

_How are the FSL received when travelling abroad?

“WOOOW”. The federative energy is always welcomed. We bring the vibe as they say and it is contagious. We are now recognized and requested. We have lived some amazing experiences, we have created some meaningful connections and we are proud of it. We are always pleased to bumped into our friends from abroad during carnivals, fetes or festivals.

_What kind of connections do you have with the artistic world abroad?

First, we have developed some links with quite a few artists as fans, then we were able to link up more as party or event promoters or collaborators.

They have also set up some Caribbean concepts in Martinique, Guadeloupe or even France in which some Soca artists performed: WAC Picasso Party, Jab Jab Party, Private Caribbean Cruise, CariBrunch, Soca in Paris just to name a few.

_Do you connect professionally with people from the industry for partnerships or collaborations?

Yes of course! Collaborations or partnerships ( events, mas bands, festivals) around the world. From the Caribbean to the United States, including France and Europe.

For instance, before COVID-19 we exchanged with an Asian organization. We had some very nice opportunities presented to us and also to our deejays.

Dankers from Guadeloupe and Payou from Martinique are very eclectic deejays furthermore they are recognized as Soca Specialists. They represent us internationally: France, USA, Canada, Dubaï…

 

There is also Dj Karlito, very active and close to the Carnival Festivities in Martinique.

Our main goal being to put forward our regions, we must also bring out our talents and our expertise. We commute: we travel with some products from Guadeloupe or Martinique in order to show them to the world.

_What is your vision of Soca music in France and in the French Caribbean?

Today, Patrice Roberts has several hits in rotation in the radio in the French Caribbean. Swappi, KES, GBM, Wetty Beatz, Bunji Garlin, are played in the radio whereas a few years ago when you said the word Soca, people were only seeing Machel Montano (when they actually knew about soca music).

“We come from a long way… a very long way”

 

For France on the other hand, it took a bit more time to show up (which is normal) but there is a soca scene now.

Soca music is a niche when it comes to marketing, it remains pretty difficult to integrate it into the vast musical universe of France.

Some work was really put in and we are proud to have strongly contributed to it. We do not regret having worked so much or even investing in this community.

_How do you keep in touch with your members and network during COVID-19?

FSL: This COVID time is not easy to deal with for a lot of us. Soca music and carnivals have this therapeutical effect, and some totally ignore it.

In order to keep the joy alive, we organized some live Soca music session with Deejays on social medias.

For some, the occasion was good to take a little rest, since we travel pretty often. We are opened to discussion and we love talking about any subject via our socials.

The French Soca Lovers are among the instigators that deeply endeavor unity in the region. From the beginning their appetite for acknowledgement is what made them all in for sharing and spreading.

They have highlighted several times their appreciation for their numerous meaningful encounters with people from all over the world thanks to Soca music. They radiate benevolence and warmth which is definitely what we need especially in this worldwide pandemic situation.

 

There is much more to know about the FSL contribution to the Caribbean Culture, and we, at KRIBBEAN are going to make sure we keep you posted to continue sharing and spreading unity.

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Meet The French Soca Lovers was originally published in Artist Reviews & Caribbean Lifestyle on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

“I BLEND DIFFERENT TYPE OF GENRES TOGETHER TO CREATE MY OWN SOUND”

I am a singer, songwriter with some acting aspirations. I enjoy the entire creative process of the entertainment industry and take pride in being involved in the full process. This includes writing, recording, and performing my creations.

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#GENREFLUID

K’CONEIL — Genrefluid is a concept that me and my manager came up with that truly defines my music and has evolved into a movement and a brand. We define it as “the ability to float in and out of different genres, in an attempt to create a palette of sonic perfection.” Its basically encouraging the release of artistry and the support of creativity. It’s our way of not being bogged down by stereotypes and peoples attempts to put you in boxes. These labels and boxes is a way of limiting ones. potential or creativity and hence your heights. I’m trying to promote this message in my merchandise on my websites, www.kconeilmusic.com and www.genrefluid.com Will it be the title of my first album? I doubt that, but the music will definitely be in that vein.

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LOVE / LUST EP HITS BILBOARD CHARTS

Buy On iTunes

K’CONEIL — I’ve had so many notable moments in my short career thus far. My Lovelust EP debuting at number 20 on the Billboard Reggae chart and number 10 on iTunes reggae charts is by far my biggest achievement to date. I have being blessed with several number one rankings for different songs off the EP but none top those two achievements for me.

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MY INFLUENCES

K’CONEIL — I grew up in a singing household where we went to church every week and I started singing there. Gospel music was instrumental in teaching me how to sing with soul and to connect from the heart. There’s nothing like singing to and for a higher power that you cant see but believe in. I take that same approach in my delivery and try to convert my audience into believers by using lyrics, melodies, and tones to touch their hearts.

Outside of the church, I was and am still a big fan of Soul and RnB music ; So guys like R Kelly, Babyface, Brian McKnight captivated me early with their writing and singing styles. SInging their songs at an early age really helped me to develop my early admirers and helped me in the girlfriend department, too.

“I fell in love with that sound”

Beres Hammond is also another one of my influences, for his tone and command of his lower registry that pushed me to experiment with and try to develop mine. .Beenie man, may be my all time favorite artist because of his ability to masterfully handle any audience during a performance.

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MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

Mainstream could compare you to Usher, Kranium, OMI…but you probably don’t like to be put in a box so tell me about your secret sauce..

K’CONEIL — Comparisons in this business are inevitable, fortunately these comparisons put me in good company as these are all artists I actually like and respect and are successful in their own right. It means my music is probably being received favorably and for that I’m grateful. However, I would like to think that I have developed my own “Genrefluid” sound in which I blend different types of genres together to create my own sound.

“Unfortunately I can’t tell you the sauce… as you stated it is secret so I want to keep it that way lol.”

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THE ISLAND BOY IN ME

My fan base is growing daily in the US as well as Jamaica and the greater Caribbean. The island boy in me will always be in my music and adds a lot of the spice in that secret sauce that you mentioned earlier. That element I hope will make me endearing to my Caribbean fans and as I continue to release more music, I look forward to bringing my performances to these Island shores and convert the lovely people into fans.

LOVE HOW YOU WHINE

Tell us more about your song and video with Kreesha Turner? How you met and how it happened?

K’CONEIL — I met Kreesha Turner a couple years ago when we performed on New York’s Radio Station Hot 97 On The Reggae and Soca Tip show and we basically kept in contact ever since. Due to our schedules we never got the chance to work on any music. However, when I recorded this track. “Love How You Whine” the producer Troyton Remi made the suggestion to add a female to the record and Kreesha instantly came to mind. We sent it to Kreesha and she didn’t hesitate to say yes. Kreesha flew to NY the following week and we got in the studio and knocked it out in one night and the rest is history. The song is really about appreciating the cultural gyration of our women that we call ..Whining and how this phenom impresses itself on men worldwide. Its an art that I feel compelled to highlight and encourage, if you know what I mean (sic).

F.W.I & I

Have you ever visited or played in the French West Indies, Martinique, Guadeloupe, St Martin, French Guina to name a few? Could it happen?

K’CONEIL — Unfortunately I haven’t but I am definitely looking forward to it in the near future. I hear French is the language of love so I’m anxious to bring the Love/Lust experience to these shores. Promoters feel free to reach out at www.kconeilmusic.com.

I actually don’t know any French Caribbean artist personally but I’ve heard some of Sweet Mickey’s stuff. but I will go look up some after this interview and get familiar :).

“I embrace the opportunity for a feature with any artist that I think is dope and if it make sense and the song is a winner im all in!!”

RNB, Reggae, Dancehall.. Soca or Zouk soon? 😁 Any preference?

K’CONEIL — To be honest I feel comfortable in all genres but the one I am least comfortable in would be soca. My preference is rnb soul music as that’s music from the heart but I definitely enjoy all and is not one to shy away from a challenge…so Machel and Bunji lets talk, lol.

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“KRIBBEAN big up and keep pushing the culture!!

Much Love.”

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