14. Ricky T feat. Eempey Slicker, “Freaky Girls”/Motto feat. Problem Child and Mr. Legz, “Bend Dong” (Remix)
St. Lucia has been a hotbed of creative soca activity lately. Producer/artist Lashley “Motto” Winter of Fox Productions has been blending soca with Angolan kuduro on tracks like “Bend Dong,” a 2014 release he revisited this year on a remix featuring St. Vincent’s Problem Child and Grenada’s Mr. Legz. And Ricky T and U.S.-based Eempey Slicker brought a zouk vibe on “Freaky Girls.” Then there was Islah Man’s “Madd Madd,” power soca with a mad, comical energy and lyrics touching on the financial hardships of Carnival time. All worthy of mention here in what was a big year for the Lucian massive. — Jesse Serwer