On Tuesday, February 2, Dominica observed the first ever Bouyon Day and the initiative is getting thumbs up.
Businessman and Manager of popular Bouyon Band, Triple K International, Emile Depooter said it will help raise awareness of the genre while one of the trailblazers of Bouyon, Cornell “Fingers” Phillip, said it is a ‘major milestone’ and a ‘proud moment’ for its pioneers.
DePooter told DNO that while awareness is being raised by the day, Dominica will get due credit for the genre.
“We have music like Cadence, and different things which some people would want to argue that we lost to the French and different people, in terms of the influence, so right now we have something that we can market, we can stamp, and say this is ours,” he said in an interview on Tuesday. “It may continue to evolve… but at least history will make it remain as something that originated from Dominica, because of this Bouyon Day.”
DePooter explained that the lack of grandiose for this year’s Bouyon Day is due to the late introduction of the concept. Yet, he revealed that much more is in store for the future celebration of the event.
“The Bouyon Day right now is starting off slow because the concept only came out a week or two weeks ago, so we do not have that much going on; but from what I understand, by next year, there will be one big concert for the entire day, with different Bouyon bands and artists, and so on… There will be people doing t-shirts, and other little items that people can have to commemorate Bouyon Day, on an annual basis,” he stated.
Phillip believes the day is not only a major milestone for the genre but also for Dominica.
“It’s really a proud moment for all the original pioneers of Bouyon music… it’s a major milestone for Bouyon music. It’s a major milestone for Dominica, in terms of pushing Dominica forward in another music. And all of us are just so proud of it,” he told DNO on Tuesday.
He said that while the initiative would raise awareness for the genre, it is up to artistes to make the most of the attention.
“I think it’s going to turn a lot of heads in the music industry worldwide. People are going to be interested as to what Bouyon music is. It’s going to raise the interest level for sure, and it’s just up to us to take advantage of that opportunity to market Bouyon music,” he stated.
The musician urged Bouyon artistes to take their craft more seriously and treat music as a career, rather than a hobby.
“You have to look at it as a job… If you going to be doing music, you have to get up in the morning, and put hours, put effort into your music. It’s not just fun,” he Phillip said.
The event is expected to be observed every year as a tribute to Dominica’s Bouyon artistes and the music they create.
Let us be real about this…Cadence Day/Bouyon Day, what is this about? READ BEFORE BEING CRITICAL
Music like technology evolves and can not remain static. Creative talented musicians are always trying to find ways to satisfy us with new songs produced in different ways with different instruments. Cadence like Bouyon evolved from some inspired genre and no doubt will transition into new genre something else. Are we going to have a “New Genre Day” for that too.
“Cornell “Fingers” Phillip urged Bouyon artistes to take their craft more seriously and treat music as a career, rather than a hobby”….. Well to take music seriously. you need to examine the market INTELLIGENTLY. The advent of internet and cable TV has us watching and listening to all sorts. It would be interesting to find what genre of music people in DA listen to on a daily basis. So. for musician to be successful, influential and able to finance their next musical project/album, they need to think like a…
businessman, Optimum returns for effort. DA is fortunate however in that its product (music) can be placed in both the French and English market. So what is the strategy and plan for the Cadence/Bouyon Day organisers?
I would like to suggest that to award artiste and musician alike for their contribution to “Putting Dominica on the Map” musically a day should be set aside that instead which will cover both Cadence and Bouyon, and others that WILL follow.
More instrument for purchase are required, as well as better training for reading music and playing of instruments.
SO GOOD LUCK!!!!! FOOD FOR THOUGHT
By the comments you will already see that the new bouyon is not appreciated
Honestly, if bouyon was that good it would have conquered the world long time before now.
The message is clear that it is not the most popular type of music in the world. People have a choice you know and you can not argue about that. I happen to think it is crap and I am entitled to my opinion like anyone else.
Good luck with everything, our thing one small step to bigger picture. Lets own what is ours.
Is bouyon really our music? We used drum machines to play this type of music but the question is who created the beats and installed them on the drum mavhines? Remember genre is a beat so it was not created by any local bands in Dominica.
that’s noise these bands make now a days is not the bouyon music of before. pure nonsense, but Mr DePooter will say otherwise.
Thumbs up. Waiting for next year when it should be bigger.
Stupes, help young people to pray and to behave. All those kind of music have those poor youth confused and acting in all terrible ways. Next year dub the day Bouyon Praise….and give the gospel a bouyon flavor
Allez poezay cowu (Go rest your self) toneh!
There is nothing wrong with gospel singers adopting the bouyon genre. It will promote the music even more! Quit being holier than thou and enjoy the genre in whatever form it floats your boat.
Always Assertive!
This sounds as a good idea. They should include praise in it. After all, God gives life, health and strength and we should not forget him in all that we do.
this is my sentiment, also where I reside.
Now that I am older, matured and wiser,
1st Ever Bouyon Fete should be in place man…all day/nite fete