One of the Caribbean region’s most unique and intriguing male artistes is stepping hard into the upcoming carnival season, delivering new music and calmly showing fans that he’s here to stay. Skinny Banton’s ‘Liquor’ is one of the latest releases that’s already causing a stir heading into 2025 and as the artiste recently explained, his music isn’t island-specific, but rather, music that shares the Caribbean aesthetic with the visitors coming into the region’s carnivals for an experience they’ll never forget.

It's been five years since Skinny Banton’s ‘Wrong Again’ brought him unexpected success. The song remains as loved and enjoyed today, as it was when it was first released in 2019. The artiste has made his way into the homes of thousands, perhaps millions worldwide, all with a simple, authentic spirit and lyrics that speak into the souls of his audience.

Carriacou, Grenada his home, the Jab culture proves to be a major source of inspiration for Banton, though not his only source. His previous 2024 releases, ‘Yard Fowl,’ ‘Today’ and ‘In Meh Feelings,’ have all excited true fans, and now, with all eyes set on the possibilities that lie ahead, he has unleashed ‘Liquor’ – a song that illustrates, in the realest possible way, an underlying attribute of Caribbean enjoyment. “This is a song for the people, a song for the drinkers and the people who add vibes to Carnival with every sip they take,” said the artiste with a quiet chuckle. In the same breath, he quickly encourages responsible alcohol consumption. “It’s never a good idea to overdo. Nobody likes a drunkard, so everything in moderation.”

Soca music, a flavourful contemporary sound to traditional Calypso, has taken the world by storm, with a Carnival experience in almost every corner of the planet. His hometown of Carriacou recently devastated by the passage of Hurricane Beryl, Skinny shares that the small island’s carnival is usually held around the same time as Trinidad and Tobago’s. A week spent in T&T in November, the artiste made good on reconnecting with fans and friends, sharing his style and sound throughout his stay. “Music is the universal language that we all connect with and just like we speak with different accents and languages, I believe music comes in so many variations, and they’re all worth listening to, or experiencing.”

Consistent and truly in a league of his own, Skinny Banton says he’s looking forward to the year ahead, starting off with T&T’s Greatest Show on Earth and hopefully, making his way into every other festival on the annual Carnival circuit. “The people know good music. They need music to put a smile on their faces, make them move and sing along. That’s what I always try my best to provide,” he shared, explaining that his sound and style is a reflection of his personal appreciation for artistes like The Mighty Sparrow and other great calypsonians who made him stop and listen when he was growing up.

To know more about Skinny Banton, follow him on Instagram and Facebook @skinnybanton.