#streamcaribbean - "Caviar I" by Meryl (June 2024)

After "Jour avant caviar" (2020) and "OZOROR" (2023), Meryl (Martinique) has chosen 2024 to present her first full album: "Caviar I". 

I don't know enough about French rap to judge this album musically by French industry standards. Is it within the norm or superior to what's being done in French rap? Or Caribbean rap? You tell me. We find the usual themes: the hustle life, ambition to become rich, betrayal, loyalty and sex. She's at home in different musical genres. She can write and has a sense of musicality to honor Zouk classics by sampling “Mon Soleil” [My Sun] by Princess’ Lover on her title track “Mauvaise Elève” [Bad student] … But does Meryl really follow through on her overall vision as an artist? 

Meryl's versatility is undeniable. That's why "Caviar I" left me the same questions as the "OZOROR" EP. What I said a year ago still applies: in terms of artistic originality, what are her standards? I still don't know... Let's see what a liberated "Ghost" will create, giving free rein to a fantasy worthy of "Jack Sparrow".

My Karukerament tracks

“Dembow Martinica” - a collaboration with DJ Tutuss, Lamasa, Jozii, Shannon and Noelia. I chose this track out of pure feminine solidarity and for the symbolism of bringing together different Caribbean cultures on a single track.

“Siwo” - this is a remix with Jocelyne Béroard. To be honest, I'm not convinced by the artistic direction. Jocelyne Béroard's "Siwo" was one of the few Zouk songs that valued our men, so to now associate the melody with yet another variation on dreaming of being rich... I'm not the target audience, but I'm still keeping this remix in the selection because Meryl has shown the ultimate mark of respect (in my opinion). She let someone else say the last word on her first full album. For the culture and for the symbolism of transmission...