#streamcaribbean from di caribbean to di world

This is a quick post to explain the why, the what, the when and the how of #streamcaribbean.

Why ?

Back in 2019, I came across the #readcaribbean challenge started by Jamaican bookstagramer Cindy Allman. From that moment, I also started using the hashtag in my own Bookstagram posts related to Caribbean literature. However, representation in music, in cinema and television are also important to me. That’s why I launched my podcast Karukerament. And the more I kept researching and analyzing how badly French Caribbean artists have been treated in the French industry, the more outraged I became. So I launched the English version of the podcast in order to reach out to the rest of the Caribbean and to the world. Now more than never, I want to appreciate and celebrate our artists within our community but also for the world to see. It’s about legacy. It’s about Caribbean culture getting the recognition it deserves.

What ?

Dancehall, zouk, soca, bouyon, konpa and other music genres from the Caribbean should have been at the top of the international game right now. They’re not. Streaming platforms algorithms won’t let it happen. I believe Caribbean infrastructures are doing what they can to change things, but we can also show our support by promoting what we listen to.

How ?

Share your favorite songs by Caribbean artists on social media. Tag them and use the hashtag #streamcaribbean so other people can also find out about them. iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Bandcamp, post links from wherever you listen to music.

When ?

All the time ? Seriously. All the time.

Do it for the culture because Caribbean music is forever contemporary. You know it, I know it. Tell it to the world, so future generations know it too.

Bonus

I grew up in the 90’s. I grew up listening to albums. That’s why I’ll have also album streaming session every weekend until the quarantine is over in France.

Friday: streaming artists from the Spanish-speaking Caribbean

Saturday: streaming artists from the Dutch-speaking and English-speaking Caribbean

Sunday: streaming artists from the French-speaking Caribbean.

I’m into jazz, hip-hop, zouk and R&B, so feel free to listen to my Spotify playlist if you don’t know where to start.