Photos by Amiel B.

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Carnival Thursday in the TJJ Notting Hill 2008 Fete-lympics® and TJJ made sure we attended the Press Conference for Machel Montano HD and friends which included special guests 3 Canal - Wendell, Roger and Stanton, Statement and Lil' Rick (both direct from Barbados), all hosted by the invincible PoisonUK Next Level Events.

After a quick introduction from the master of ceremonies, the immediate question and answer session began. We were instructed not to limit questions to only the weekend's activities. That notwithstanding, the first question always at these press conferences - What do you think it would take for Soca music to stand out more and be everywhere? ... A consistent capital injection, professional management and more artists doing Soca/Calypso, just not for the love of money, but for the love of the art form and culture.

Last year you were in this press conference with David Rudder, and well in 2008, you all both collaborated and the result was a best tune - "Oil and Music" - can we see the same here? ... "Thanks to you all, I had that opportunity to make that collaboration, and well when I found out that 3 Canal would be in London at the same time, we decided that it is about time - so look forward to it - it is a work in progress," Montano remarks.

What do you think about the police presence in London for Notting Hill Carnival? ... "We have been here for quite a couple of years and it is the same vibes, the same atmosphere - the same women wining on police offers - the thing is the presence is great and not too overwhelming and that is the key thing - NOT to be overwhelming and intimidating and spoiling the fun," explained Manwarren.

What do you think about Soca blending with other art forms such as Techno and Dance, and do you think that after such a blend would it be diluted and sold for something it is not? ... "Soca is an art form and we enjoy doing it - blending it with other forms of music does not constitute as diluting it and it would never lose its originality and culture - for example - Fireball's success with Bob Sinclair after his merge with Techno and Dance - now Fireball has been in the studio tailoring his music to hit that market - and that is the way of the music world!

What was the idea behind the 3 Canal show? ... We realized that the tents and such historical events and shows such as Dimanche Gras had been failing and not really getting such success as it used to so we decided to start the "3 Canal Show" and run it exactly as the tents would run it and it has been successful and really has given the Rapso culture out there. We also do a lot of work with the youths and have them as part of the show. We are running it every year still ... without fail!

Just a few questions that were posed to the artistes, and as usual at the end of the Q&A segment, the media got their one on one time with the artistes.

The Carnival Concert featuring headliner Machel Montano HD will be held on Friday August 22nd 2008 at The Forum in Kentish Town. Also look out for performances from Statement, Lil' Rick, Patrice Roberts and Zan.

The TJJ Notting Hill 2008 Fete-lympics® continues...

Amiel
Always Fabulous, Never Buss

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Related Galleries
2008 Notting Hill Carnival Coverage
2007 Notting Hill Carnival Coverage