Soca star Denise Belfon joins Rum Island Festival line-up after Drake sample
The Trinidad and Tobago performer’s 1998 hit “Work (Put Yuh Back In It)” was sampled on Drake’s track “BBW”, ahead of the festival in Atlanta on July 11.
NEW YORK, United States. Trinidad and Tobago soca star Denise Belfon has been added to the line-up of the inaugural Rum Island Festival, according to Caribbean entertainment publicist Paul Thom of the Thom Brand.
The festival takes place on Saturday, July 11, at Piedmont Park in Atlanta. Thom told Caribbean Life on Monday, July 6, that it brings together some of Caribbean music’s biggest names for its first edition.
A renewed spotlight
Belfon’s classic “Work (Put Yuh Back In It)” was recently sampled by Drake on the track “BBW” from his surprise album Maid of Honour, “introducing one of Soca’s most enduring records to a new generation of listeners around the world,” Thom said.
First released in 1998, the song has become one of soca’s most influential recordings and has been remixed thousands of times, he said.
Known as “Saucy Wow”, Belfon has spent more than 35 years shaping the sound of carnival. Her catalogue includes KaKa Lay Lay, Hard Wuk, Wining Queen, Boss Lady, Indian Man, Chuku Chuku and Wanti.
Thom said she has performed across the Caribbean, North America, Europe, Africa and Asia, “proudly representing Trinidad and Tobago while serving as one of Soca’s most enduring cultural ambassadors.”
The line-up
Belfon joins a line-up led by dancehall artist Aidonia and rising star Ayetian, with Pretty Vee as official host and DJs including Ricky Platinum, Yung Rage, Unique Soundz, Propa English, Boogy Ranks and DJ Fabb.
Thom described the festival as a Caribbean-inspired cultural experience “born in Atlanta and built to travel”, bringing together music, rum culture and Afro-Caribbean cuisine.
“Rum Island Festival makes its debut in Atlanta with the goal of growing into a travelling platform that celebrates Caribbean excellence across major US cities and destination markets,” he said.
