Words by Saxon Baird, Photos by Kordel Fermin—
Farmer Nappy has been a major player in the soca scene for over 30 years but it’s only recently that he’s become more a household name in Trinidad and beyond. This year, Nappy scored a major hit with his song “Big People Party,” a groovy soca tune that came in second in this year’s road march to the surprise of everyone, including Farmer Nappy himself. With more and more soca being influenced by EDM, Nappy’s hit was recorded with a full band, channeling a classic calypso sound without sacrificing any of the flag-waving energy soca is known for. With carnival season over in Trinidad, Nappy recently brought the party to New York, celebrating the release of his album, also called Big People Party. We caught up with Nappy in Brooklyn to discuss the new album and what it takes to throw a real “big people party.”
LargeUp: What’s the story behind the song “Big People Party?”
Farmer Nappy: “Big People Party” is an all-exclusive fete. You know those guys who are wearing their pants dropped below their butt nowadays? Well, for this fete you got to pull up your pants and be a man. That’s the rule. And you must dance with the lady like a man dances with a lady. And you have to pull the chair out for the lady when she wants to sit down. And when she comes through the door, you open it for her. It’s about acting like a man because big people do big things and big people think big, you know?
LU: “Big People Party” came in second in the Road March this year. Which is kind of crazy considering that it’s a groovy soca tune.
FN: Well, [Farmer Nappy’s band] De Red Boyz always tell me that slow music or “slow groovy soca” will take you further than what I call “fast” songs. And as it turns out, it truly came to pass for me this year. Just being in the groove and every year trying to have a hit in the market has always been my goal and I’ve stuck to the groovy sound because, you know, they call me the “groove man.”
LU: If you were going to through a “big people party,” how would you do it?
FN: First, I will use the word “mature.” These parties are for mature people. If you are throwing a real people party, there will be no guns, no knives and no fighting because it’s a party for big people. The “maturity” part of the party would be emphasized. And I’d like to add that this year at carnival in Trinidad, there were no major fights. It was a very peaceful fete. And I think that “Big People Party” was somewhat responsible for that.
LU: Out of all the places you’ve traveled and played outside of Trinidad, where had the the most crazy, big party vibe?
FN: The craziest place I think I’ve played is Reggae on the River in California. It was the best. We were the only band playing soca and when we start up the frenzy, we see ten thousand white hippies jumping up and down. They were going wild, waving their flags, all of that. It was amazing to see! It was really the best experience.
LU: You are also a recovering alcoholic. If you aren’t drinking alcohol then how do you go all night to keep the party going?
FN: Monster energy drinks! In fact, here I am right now in Brooklyn, New York. Bringing it worldwide, drinking one right now.
LU: What is it that attracts people to soca on a worldwide scale?
FN: The jumping energy! In soca we sing fast and hype it. When I play live I want to see thousand of flags waving in the air and a real frenzy, you know? See soca music is like a summer jam. You wanna get wet with it! It’s like a pool party or a beach party. It’s super fun. It’s good music when you want to take a day and say, “today is going to be a fun day.” Forget all problems, forget all struggles and strife and just make it fun. And that’s the basic thing I want to bring to the music.
LU: Some are suggesting that soca is more popular than it’s ever been internationally. As someone who has toured the globe, do you see it that way?
FN: Well to be honest in my 30 years I’ve seen it grow since Arrow’s “Hot Hot Hot” buss international. You have guys like Harry Belafonte who have sung over a lot of soca melodies. Then there are artists like Rupee who has a lot of success outside of Trinidad. And again, you see “slow groove” in all of that. I believe the melodies and the concepts of these songs are real songs that appeal to the American audiences and elsewhere on the globe. And personally, I am not interested in record deals. You can distribute my album but what I really am interested in is movie deals. I want my song to be in a mainstream movie and have my song as a title track.
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