Wuk Up Music A (Mostly) BAJAN PERSPECTIVE

Musical Characteristics of Wuk Up Music

Duple time.

Polyrhythmic.

Binary.

Has the presence of strong down beats emphasised by foot kick or similar

frequency.

Each hip rotation/circle is the length of one pulse.

Wuk Up – A Dance

The Bajan traditional form of Tuk band is said to have encompassed this type

wuking up – See Landship performance.

Namely the (3rd rhythm of Tuk) the Tuk Rhythm – Tuk encompasses 3 rhythms.

Musical Example -Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Ruk-A-Tuk International.

Dance Calypso

Dance calypso/Road march types like Harding, developed their own style of

wuking up.

Musical example - Burn Mr. Harding – Mighty Gabby.

Early Soca and Classic Soca Sound

Early Soca and Classic Soca Sound maintained this version of dance.

Musical examples – We Ain’t Going Home – Tambu.

1990s

1990s saw a conscious attempt by Barbadian producers in Barbados to

emphasise rhythm and remove harmony.

Emphasis on rhythm was led initially by Eddy Grant.

Key producers - Nicholas Brancker and Terry Arthur, Petter Coppin.

Musical Examples – Ring Bang – Dr. Cassandra – Eddy Grant

Musical Examples – 90s Bajan Soca – Yardie – Krosfyah - produced by Nicholas

Brancker.

Musical Examples – 90s Soca – Ragamuffin – Square One -composed by Terry

Arthur.

Bashment Soca

Combination led to increased tempos and rhythm emphasis.

Hard Wine opened the door to Bashment Soca which prominently features

wuk up dancing and lyrics.

Musical Example – Hard Wine – composed by Lil Rick – produced by Peter

Coppin.

Ragga Soca

Due to tempo elicits a different Wuk Up.

Musical Example – Wet Me – Krosfyah – produced by Nicholas Brancker.

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