#streamcaribbean - "Bad Queen by Maureen

Maureen (Martinique) is considered to be THE "West Indian" artist who is set to have their big breakthrough in France.

After the success of her song "TIC", chosen for a Mugler fashion show in 2021, and her featuring on Kalash's "LAPTOP" which received a gold certification in 2023, it's with "Bad Queen" that Maureen is officially presenting herself to the French public. Made up of 6 tracks, the EP is less than 15 minutes long, but the tracklist reflects the challenges she will have to face to build he career.

With lyrics mixing English and Creole, "Jiggle" already defines Maureen's international dimension, highlighting her passion for dancehall culture... As she sings in "Kompet", she's ready to turn everything upside down in her path. “C'est quoi ça", the only track with a French chorus, reflects this obligation to make it in France first before going to the global stage. Her collaboration with Shanika on "Ding Dong" is the shortest track, but it keeps the Caribbean connection alive by making that Martinique - Guadeloupe link. "Pum Fat", the first title track, is probably the track that best symbolizes the branding of Shatta in France.

I try to respect copyright on this blog so I'm not going to copy and paste the description from the February 2024 issue of "Numéro" magazine. I'll let you read for yourself what's said about Shatta under the guise of presenting "the confessions of Maureen, the sultry Shatta ambassador". And I invite you to listen again to the myth number 5 called "West Indian artists are only good for partying, drugs and sex". The final track is a sort of DJ Whyne mashup from "Kompet" and "Jiggle"... i.e., the EP ends with a collaborator spotlight by doing an encore with the Maureen of "TIC" and a tease of the Maureen to come? The overriding challenge for Maureen, then, will be to impose and, above all, maintain her status as "Bad Queen". 

My Karukerament tracks

"Jiggle" - this is a track that shows Maureen in Bad Queen mode. It's the single that gave the most space to create an authentic and memorable image, as Rihanna was able to do on her debut.

"Ding Dong" - all the ingredients to be a hit that can become music legacy. A Martinique/Guadeloupe collaboration, a shatta/bouyon collaboration... It really could have been a turning point for the culture. Too bad it wasn't promoted during the July-August holiday.