Annotated Playlist: Contemporary Caribbean
Food for listening from the Caribbean
1️⃣ Astropical – "Me Pasa (Piscis)"
Artists: Astropical (Bomba Estéreo & Rawayana)
Origin: Colombia & Venezuela
Release Date: January 2025
Notable Features: Collaboration between two powerhouse Latin-Caribbean groups.
Musical Influences: Blends reggaeton, Caribbean rhythms, and Latin electronic beats.
Relevant Events: The band recently performed at major Latin American festivals and announced a summer tour.
Artist: Kes
Origin: Trinidad & Tobago
Release Date: November 2024
Notable Features: A chart-topping soca track, emphasizing traditional yet modern island sounds.
Musical Influences: Classic soca, calypso, and Afro-Caribbean fusion.
Relevant Events: Kes is set to headline Trinidad Carnival 2025 and perform internationally.
3️⃣ SadBoi ft. Smiley – "Fashion Week"
Artists: SadBoi & Smiley
Origin: Toronto (Caribbean diaspora influence)
Release Date: 2024
Notable Features: A fusion of baile funk, drill, and Caribbean urban music.
Musical Influences: Brazilian funk, UK drill, and Toronto's Caribbean hip-hop scene.
Relevant Events: SadBoi is rumored to be working on a new project with major Toronto-based artists.
4️⃣ Architrackz ft. Bryan Mg & WAWA – "Helemaal Ziek"
Artists: Architrackz, Bryan Mg, WAWA
Origin: The Netherlands (Dutch-Caribbean influence)
Release Date: 2022
Notable Features: Blends Dutch-Caribbean dancehall, Afro beats, and urban rhythms.
Musical Influences: Dancehall, Afro-trap, and European urban sounds.
Relevant Events: Architrackz is a staple in the Dutch-Caribbean music scene and frequently performs at major clubs across Amsterdam.
5️⃣ Nathaniel Shalom – "More Life & More Blessings"
Artist: Nathaniel Shalom
Origin: Jamaica
Release Date: 2019
Notable Features: A reggae-infused track centered around gratitude and upliftment.
Musical Influences: Roots reggae, lovers rock, and gospel-infused reggae.
Relevant Events: Shalom continues to tour small venues in the Caribbean and has hinted at new music for 2025.
Keep up with Annotated Playlist: Contemporary Caribbean in real-time with this link to the Spotify Playlist. Drop other sounds from the Caribbean you’ve been enjoying in the comments!