CayMAS carnival is in full swing, and Cayman’s reigning soca monarch, Jason ‘JG’ Gilbert, is giving revellers the ultimate soca theme song, ‘For the Love’, to hit the road.
Gilbert, also known as ‘Skorch Bun It’, won the 2024 Cayman Soca Monarch competition, hosted by CayMAS. He also released the album ‘Stadium Music’ last year and later released the single ‘Trouble on the Road’.
Ahead of this year’s competition, he said he quickly put together his latest song, ‘For the Love’.
“I’ve gotten great feedback from some of the people behind the scenes that make the carnival happen. From mas band leaders, to promoters, carnival organizers that really do it for the love, most times without profit or with losses,” Gilbert said.
For the Love
The producer and writer collaborated with several creatives, including Darryl Gervais, who co-wrote the lyrics and melody, Vashti Bodden, Scratch Master, Christopher Seymour, Lammie Seymour, Hans Bodden and Omari Reid.
Gilbert noted the song is about doing it for the love.
“[It’s about] why I continue to make music, especially soca music. I love the culture of it – carnival, mas, fetes, etc. Soca hasn’t been my most profitable genre, but I truly enjoy making it and performing it.”
He added the inspiration came from “just speaking to people/friends who continue to throw events and lose money or friends that spend a lot on their costumes every year, even the carnival organizers that fight every year to put the carnival on. It’s all basically for the love!”
Commenting on the process of creating the song, Gilbert said, “I usually start with chords that work with the concept. For this song, I wanted it to be heartfelt and a little anthemic. I usually slow songs down to record them and then find the desirable tempo.” Gilbert has also released a sped-up version.
‘I’d love another shot’
During his time as Cayman’s Soca Monarch, Gilbert said, “I definitely feel like I could’ve done more.
“Most of my efforts last year went into was completing my law studies, so I plan to have a more active year in regard to releasing new music and I really want to do more overseas performances as my song catalog can now support a nice set.”
This year’s CayMAS Soca Monarch finale will be held this Saturday, 5 July, during the AfterMas event.
Four finalists have been confirmed for this year’s competition: Andy Blake, Skorch Bun It, Nesta 8 and Jade Ashley.
The winner will earn a cash prize and the title for a year.
Gilbert said, “I’m really loving the songs. I got a chance to produce one of the other competitors as well. I’m proud [of] the growth in Cayman’s soca output overall and happy to be a part of it. I would love another shot at the title as I don’t plan to enter again in the future but rather assist in any way I can to see it all grow!”
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