Women’s Contribution to Soca: An Inspiration, An Icon, This is Soca Queen Alison Hinds

How Alison Hinds has contributed to soca music and women’s impact on the genre.

After two years of social restrictions, the talk around town is about how we are finally getting our Summer back and how Summer 2022 will be one for the books. The buzz is in the air with 2022 TD JerkFest and many festivals making a highly anticipated return this year. Which got me thinking, where would we be without soca? 

Caribbean culture thrives off of the rhythm and vibe of soca music. If the last two years without these social gatherings are any indication, life could get pretty dull if soca didn’t exist to bring us together, allowing us to forget the stresses of life even if for just a second. We could name so many artists that have created music that inspires and gets us moving. But at the centre of it all, one woman has changed the game, making soca music so prevalent in many countries, which is none-other than Soca Queen Alison Hinds.

Accomplishments

Born in England and raised on the beautiful island of Barbados, Alison Hinds is one of the most influential soca artists and advocate for female empowerment. One of her biggest hits, ‘Roll It Gal,’ swept across Barbados, Trinidad, Jamaica, and throughout the Caribbean in 2005 when it was released. Nowadays, the song is recognized beyond the Caribbean and currently has about one million views on YouTube and almost ten million streams on Spotify. Since its release, various remixes have been created, including one with Machel Montano.

Along with its catchy rhythm, the song was meant to be an anthem for women, providing encouragement and a message that women can accomplish anything they desire in life. In an interview, she expressed how important it is for her to bring this reassurance and upliftment to women. She said, “I have been known throughout my career as a woman who is all about female empowerment and all about us as women. Strengthening us and getting us to not only be strong but also recognize the other parts of us… We are wives, we are mothers, but we are so much more.” 

Alison Hinds has accumulated a plethora of accomplishments throughout her career. She was formally designated as a Cultural Ambassador of Barbados for her work, her representation of Barbadian culture, her continuous advocacy, and support. Hinds has also been honoured with multiple awards in music and other areas. Such as Best Female Vocalist in 2010 at the International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRWMA), the Award for Artistic Excellence by the Barbados Independent Film Festival (BIFF) in 2018, and she was made a Goodwill Ambassador for the International Federation of Business and Professional Women in 2014.

Alison Hinds, Square One, and Women in the Industry

As the lead vocalist of the band, Square One, this role kick-started her path to becoming an icon. Their single ‘Faluma’ was a massive hit and could be heard all across the Caribbean in 1998. Staying true to her roots and love for the culture, the lyrics to this lively song are in the traditional language of the Surinamese Saamaka ethnic group. 

The band’s hit ‘Raggamuffin’ led her to become the first woman to win the Road March title in Barbados in 1996 during the Crop Over Festival. She went on to win the title again in 1997 and was also the first woman to win The Party Monarch title in that same year with the hit ‘Twister.’ 

Her time with the band brought many struggles among these successes as the music scene, especially bands, were predominantly male. Hinds noted this in a 2011 interview where she said, “When I came onto the scene, I was the first female to come to the forefront [of a band], have hit songs, fronting a band...At that time, the trend was either an all-male frontline, or there was a male who was the star, who was the lead. If there was a female in the band, she maybe did one or two songs, but basically, she was there to provide support, background vocals.” 

An Inspiration

Hinds opened the door for many women in Caribbean music that we love today, such as Destra, Patrice Roberts, and Nadia Batson. During Digicel’s Showdown in 2020, Patrice praised Hinds, opening up and expressing that she was her idol. To this day, Alison Hinds has been recognized by some of Caribbean music’s most famous artists.

In speaking about Hinds’ success, Machel Montano, a Trinidadian soca icon, talked about the importance of integrity and went on to say, “It is not about being judged by what people say, but what you do, and when you look at Hinds’ career, she has released so many songs that changed the history of ‘soca’ – this is not easy for a woman to do, especially in a male-driven industry like soca music. Thank you, Barbados, for recognizing the immense contribution of this young lady.” 

Journalist David Hinkson discussed Hinds’ role in the industry in a BBC Caribbean publication as one that has made a new path for female artists with, “so many people who have followed in her footsteps.” He also remarked that the legacy she has left would require “somebody new and completely different” to change the game.

The Journey Continues

Now I started this article by asking, “where would we be without soca?” So many artists have contributed to this industry, bringing us joy and inspiration. Alison Hinds may only be one artist on that list, but she is a powerful one. Her contributions have pushed the genre to the forefront, allowed women to have a voice, and shone a light on the beautiful culture of the Caribbean. Let’s make Summer 2022 one for the books with some of the greatest hits from the Soca Queen herself and all those she has inspired.