Bunji Garlin

Bunji Garlin
Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons 2014
Background information
Birth name	Ian Anthonio Alvarez
Born	July 14, 1978
Origin	Wallerfield, Arima, Trinidad and Tobago
Genres	Reggae, soca, dancehall
Occupation(s)	Musician, producer, songwriter
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1999–present
Labels	VP, RCA
Associated acts	Asylum Band, Major Lazer, Jack Ü
Website	www.bunjigarlinofficial.com

Ian Anthonio Alvarez (born July 14, 1978), better known by his stage name Bunji Garlin, is a Trinidadian ragga soca artist.

Career

Alvarez was born in Trinidad and is of Saint Lucian and Venezuelan descent.^[1] He married fellow soca artist Fay-Ann Lyons on December 23, 2006, daughter of successful soca singer Superblue.^[2] He is also a second cousin of singer Patrice Roberts, who performs alongside the popular Machel Montano.^[3]

Bunji has won Trinidad's Soca Monarch/International Soca Monarch competition on several occasions: 2002 (tied with Iwer George) with "Down in the Ghetto",^[4] 2004 with "Warrior Cry",^[5] 2005 with "Blaze the Fire" Both songs were produced by then band member Shawn Noel (Da Ma$tamind)^[6] and 2008 with "Fiery" ^[7] He placed second in the International Soca Monarch 2009 with "Clear De Road", while his pregnant wife Fay-Ann Lyons placed first with "Meet Super Blue".^[8] She also won the Groovy Soca Monarch title that same night with "Heavy T Bumpa".

Bunji Garlin's "Brrt" is featured on the Grand Theft Auto IV soundtrack.^[9]

In 2013, Garlin won the Soul Train Award for Best International Performance for the song "Differentology", which features Nigel Rojas on guitar.^[10] An album of the same name was released by RCA Records and VP Records in August 2014.^[11][12]

Discography

Albums

• The Chronicles (1999)
• Revelation (2002)
• Black Spaniard (2003)
• Graceful Vengeance (2004)
• Flame Storm (2005)
• Next Direction (2006)
• Global (2007)
• Fiery (2008)
• "iSpaniard" (2012)
• The Viking (2013)
• Differentology (2014), VP/RCA #6 US Reggae Albums ^[13]

Singles

• "Differentology" (2013)^[14]
• "Truck On D Road" (2014) (featuring A$AP Ferg)
• "The Message" (2015) (featuring Damian Marley)
• "Television" (2016)

Collaborations

• "Carnival Tabanca" (featuring Tarrus Riley) 2014
• "Coofy Lie Lie" (featuring Singing Sandra) (2002)
• "Rags Don't Care" (featuring Chinese Laundry and Shurwayne Winchester) (2003)
• "Soca Bhangra" (featuring Shami) (2003)
• "Don’t Waste Water" (featuring Shurwayne Winchester) (2005)
• "The Islands" (featuring Patrice Roberts) (2005)
• "Lorraine" (featuring Explainer) (2005)
• "Move With Us" (TSTT jingle also featuring Shurwayne Winchester and Machel Montano) (2006)
• "Get Up Stand Up" (featuring T.O.K.) (2007)
• "Hardcore Loving" (featuring Rita Jones) (2007)
• "Swing it" (featuring Chris Black) (2007)
• "One Family" (featuring Freddie McGregor (2007)
• "Bring It" (featuring Lalchan Babwa (Hunter)) (2008)
• "Country Rum (featuring Neeshan Prabhoo) (2008)
• "Bring It Superstar Mix" Lalchan Babwa(Hunter) ft. Alison Hinds, Andy Singh, Bunji Garlin & Ziggy Rankin (2008)
• "That's How We Party" (featuring Busy Signal) (2005)
• "Big Blood" (featuring 3suns, Sir Skarz) [2011]
• "Sex, Love and Reggae" (Gyptian ft. Bunji Garlin and Angela Hunt) (2013)
• "All or Nothing" (Elliphant ft. Diplo and Bunji Garlin)
• "Jungle Bae" (Jack Ü ft. Bunji Garlin) (2015)

References

1. "damajority.com: Bunji Garlin wins Soul Train Award w/ Differentology". damajority.com. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
4. "Jouvay.com: Interview with Ragga Soca Trinidadian Singer Bunji Garlin". Jouvay.com. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
6. "Bunji Garlin Wins International Soca Monarch". Trinisoca.com. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
7. "2008 Int’l Soca Monarch Bunji Garlin!". Bajanfuhlife Blog!. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
8. "SUPER-FAY - Trinidad Express Newspaper - News". Trinidad Express Newspaper. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
9. "5 things you didn't know about Bunji Garlin". looptt.com. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
10. "Bunji Garlin wins Soul Train Award". Trinidad Express Newspaper. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
11. "Bunji album hits the road", Jamaica Observer, August 18, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014
12. Meschino, Patricia (2014) "RCA Records and VP Records Team for Rising Soca Star Bunji Garlin's Newest", billboard.com, June 2, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014
13. "Reggae Albums : Aug 30, 2014 - Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
14. "Urban/UAC Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on June 20, 2014.

External links

• Official website