The Dawn of a New Era in Soca: Black Empire’s Latest EP Revolutionizes Music in the Virgin Islands

Historical moments in various fields mark significant shifts. Comparable to the moon landing or Taylor Swift’s influential Eras tour, the US Virgin Islands has witnessed its share of musical milestones. Iconic periods defined by the likes of Jam Band and their charismatic leader Trevor Nicholas “Daddy Friday” Friday, and the notable era of Seventeen Plus, have shaped the V.I. music scene.

Despite a period of relative quietude, the essence of this genre has persisted. Now, the emergence of Black Empire, an ensemble comprising former Fusion Band members and two new talents, signals a revival in the V.I.’s Soca music landscape.

My first encounter with Black Empire’s prowess was just before an “Interviews & Drinks” session by the Consortium. Heading home to prepare, I received an airdrop of the group’s six-track EP from AJ Ventura, a newly added member known for his musical mastery. The first play of these tracks during my drive transformed my routine journey into an unexpected musical revelation, filled with surprise and elation at the band’s innovative compositions.

Each track on the EP extends beyond the confines of the Virgin Islands, marked by universal appeal and high-quality production. “End of the Road” emerges as a potential Road March favorite with its engaging rhythm. “Jouvert Behavior” blends Trap with classic V.I. Soca, while “Remedy” captivates with its smooth melody and enticing lyrics.

“9 Lives” effectively integrates Bouyon Music elements from Dominica, demonstrating lyrical ingenuity and thematic subtlety. “Bumbs Away” energizes audiences with its dynamic beat, and “Sound Check” maintains the authentic V.I. Soca spirit while appealing to a wider demographic.

The group’s refreshed sound owes much to new members AJ Ventura and Grammy Award-winning producer Masai Harris. Led by the renowned Darnelle Phillip, known as Blackest, a ten-time Road March winner and ex-leader of The Fusion Band, Black Empire is a collective of seasoned artists. The group also includes producer Kevré Hendricks (Maestro), Richard James (Sleepy), and bassist Moziah Miller (Ziah).

The songs, mixed by Harris and mastered by Malvern V. Gumbs of Spectrum Band, are slated for release across major platforms soon.

As AJ Ventura puts it, Black Empire is more than a band; it’s a collaborative force of creative talents, encompassing engineers, deejays, producers, songwriters, beat makers, and more, all united to propel the culture forward.