On Thursday (27th March) UWI’s Literary Cultural and Communications Studies department presented ‘From Steam to Soca,’ the latest in a series of talks on issues that matter to the culture of Trinidad and Tobago. Hosts, and PhD candidates within the department, Abeo Jackson and Omari Ashby interviewed Lady Lava and Squeezy Rankin.

Let me first say the department is doing the work local media has neglected by taking our culture seriously.

Lady Lava, real name Keisha Harris has taken the airwaves by storm with Ring Finger and a countless others. She has acquired fans across the globe. Cardi B is a big fan. While you might know Harris as a Trinibad (Trinidad dancehall) singer, she describes herself as a poet.

Anthony “Squeezy Rankin’” La Fleur had a big tune this year with ‘Justice’ a social commentary that speaks to the mothers of the young men involved in crime. Rankin won Young Kings with the song, and also the Freestyle competition. Rankin, as his name suggests, has a ragga soca background. His song Rainy Weather is a local dancehall classic. But this year he has embraced the traditional calypso-soca format with great success.

Now that you have a bit of the background, you can take in the conversation. It starts at the 30 minute mark.