Words by Jesse Serwer
Bonjay are a duo from Ontario—Toronto, by way of Ottawa—with a sound all their own and a name that means “Good God” in Granadian patois. Their 2010 EP Broughtupsy–also Caribbean slang, this time from Trinidad–juxtaposes dancehall-inspired riddims with half-Jamaican/half-Granadian singer Alanna Stuart’s R&B-meets-Kate Bush vocalisms (and some occasional chatting, too). “Stumble,” a single with one of the more creative uses of airhorn sounds we’ve heard in a while (and that’s saying something), was released in North America back in the fall but it’s still going strong thanks to a recent European single release and a sweaty, spastic video with a Flashdance-meets-Talking Heads vibe. The “Passa Passa Remix,” by producer Prodigal (of Swatch International/Passa Passa fame) turns the bashment vibes way up, with chunky dancehall drums and a verse from our very own Punany Monologues columnist Natalie Storm. Stream/download below and check this space for more on Bonjay–currently at work on their debut album in Berlin— in the very near future.
[audio:http://largeup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Bonjay_feat_Natalie_Storm-Stumble_Passa_Passa_remix.mp3|titles=Bonjay_feat_Natalie_Storm-Stumble_Passa_Passa_remix]Africa's dancehall ambassador on the cultural connections between Ghana and Jamaica.
From Illinois to Kingston, Jamaica, comes a story of fierce determination.
Rhea 'Rheezus' Prendergrast is a young woman from Jamaica, living in New York City, working…
LargeUp is bringing Caribbean sounds to Long Island's North Fork Saturday, July 29.
Guyana's past meets its present at this Arawak outpost.
Machel, Agent Sasco, Voice and Travis World close out Carnival 2023 with an epic visual.
This website uses cookies.
