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Virgin Islands-Produced Rhythms Among Most Popular in Trinidad Carnival as USVI Talent Shines Beyond Territory

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD — As people from all over the world continue to party in Trinidad Carnival to big Soca hits such as "Hard Fete" from Soca superstar Bunju Garlin, which appears to be in a dead heat for Road March with Nailah Blackman's and Skinny Fabulous's "Come Home", or "Mental Day" from Kes the Band — another international Soca group hailing from Trinidad — they are feting to rhythms produced by Virgin Islanders. The USVI, with a population less than 100,000 according to the 2020 Census, continues to produce top talent in several fields — from sports, to fashion and music — that is impacting the world. Trinidad Carnival, hailed as the world's greatest show, enters its final day today, but fetes have been happening since January. At every event, there are some songs that deejays play because of their popularity, and four of those hits are on a rhythm produced by St. Croix Native Jahmal Anthony Dee, known as Papo, called "The Spirit of Carnival Project". The rhythm, or "rid...