By Mario Russell
YOUNI-T (pronounced UNITY), the “Ivory Queen” of Soca, continues to expand the Soca market by bringing new flavours, sounds, lyrics, accents, and sub-genres to the Soca galaxy! Her relentless determination, the power to overcome every obstacle, respect and love for all was born in her blood. She reaches to expand the genre and bring the Soca vibe, and carnival culture, to the mainstream global market. Based in Miami she comes to Trinidad yearly to promote her latest Soca releases. For the past decade, YOUNI-T’s raw tenacity and razor-sharp focus are what keep her grinding in the game, ignoring the “Nay-sayers”, and spreading her vibe of “Peace, Luv, And YOUNI-T” as an Ambassador of Soca Music and Carnival Culture for Trinidad and Tobago.
A born and bred “all American” from Wisconsin, USA with Polish and German heritage, Youni-T is definitely “something different” in the Soca game. Descending from hard-working immigrants, YOUNI-T always taught the importance of understanding, and most importantly- respecting people of every race and culture. Her tiny hometown of only 2000 people was made of predominantly Caucasians and Native Americans from the nearby La Courte Oreilles Reservation. With Native Americans as part of her extended family, it was not uncommon to see YOUNI-T on the Reservation and even attend and participate in the annual Pow Wow (celebratory dance and community gatherings) held by the tribe. Something about the drums called her young spirit to dance in the Native Circles, in her plain clothes, with no objection. Needless to say, NO ONE anticipated that the blond-haired, green-eyed grand-daughter of immigrant farmers who lived in an isolated town, deep in the Northwoods forest, would come to reign as Ivory Queen of Soca and become a Music and Cultural Ambassador for the Twin Islands located 3,000 miles away!
She transplanted herself to Florida to pursue her music career. From there, she started writing and recording her own music. However, when she couldn’t decide “which way to go” musically, her Trini-rooted, Brooklyn, NY-raised producer, Anthony “Palmi” Alexander, wondered if she might be open to trying something new. As soon as he dropped the first Soca beat, the drums spoke to her in a way like never before. After being introduced to Soca Music and the Carnival festivities and culture of Trinidad and Tobago, she knew this unrelenting desire to “take a jump” would last a lifetime.
Obsessed with the Soca beat, and a vision of global Soca domination, you will find a sprinkle of everything in the YOUNI-T soca sound. Ranging from Rap, Afrobeat, Trap, Rock-N-Roll, RnB, Soul, Pop, Dance, Funk, Chutney, Steel Pan, and even a twist of more traditional African vibes. There is literally “something” in the Soca fusion movement coming from YOUNI-T that gives everyone a taste of what they already know and love. To respect what she was taught about honouring other cultures, YOUNI-T also worked tirelessly to sing with the “Trini accent” in order to help Trinibagonians understand her love of the music and that her respect for the culture is genuine and “REAL.”
With her first set of Soca songs in hand, YOUNI-T took the plunge and began performing and promoting her original music in 2013. Her first “crack in the door” came from Trinidad’s own Barnet “Preacher” Henry, the “Jump and Wave” Road March Winner in 1994. He heard her music while at Miami Carnival and thought Trinidad needed a taste of “something different.” With a lot of questioning looks, raised eyebrows, and sometimes outright hysterical laughter, he somehow got some of the Soca Industry “Heads” to turn, and give the “white gyal” a shot. She’s been rolling full force in the game ever since. To further support her efforts, Preacher writes Soca songs with YOUNI-T in mind, hoping to help her “get through” and grab the Soca spotlight as a talented and unique artist in the industry.
Although the road is never easy for ANY soca artist, YOUNI-T is grateful for all opportunities she has been given by the powers that be in TnT and Soca lovers everywhere. You can find her performing in Carnival celebrations and Soca events throughout the USA. She was nominated for “Florida Soca Artist of the Year” by the International Soca Awards Committee headed by Colin “CJ” Jackman of Trinidad and Tobago who is based in Ft. Lauderdale.
As she continues to grind in the Soca game, YOUNI-T simultaneously taught inner-city and low-income youth at a number of schools in Miami. Her years in Trinidad introduced her to the amazing world of Steel Orchestras, Panorama, and the history and roots of this incredible instrument. Students learn the history of the Pan, and the traditional ways to play the steel. In addition, she teaches students to read music so they are able to apply for University Scholarships for Steel Pan players in the USA. Her players were even invited to perform at San Diego Carnival and Cultural Celebration in 2019.
After 2 years in isolation, Miami Carnival set the stage for her forward movements. Mista Spine, head of Zigboi Music in Trinidad, answered the call. He was the perfect candidate to spearhead the charge of “YOUNI-T in 2023!”. The Spine is responsible for launching Soca artists Mr Killa of Grenada, and College Boy Jesse into stardom as winners of the International Soca Monarch competitions in 2019, and 2020 respectively. After hearing YOUNI-T’s voice and studying her history, he put a team of writers and producers (5ive Line Productions, Ncosi Sucre, Raioh Sounds) together to provide a “homegrown” track for YOUNI-T in 2023. The song “Welcome Home” was born, and with it, the goal of launching YOUNI-T into the spotlight, and allowing her to finally shine amongst the brightest Soca Music Stars.
She touched down in Trinidad just after Boxing Day and has been rehearsing with one of Trinidad’s top Soca bands, The A-Team Band, managed by Zarin Morean. With the wheels now turning in her favour, and with weeks to go before Carnival Monday and Tuesday, you can bet YOUNI-T will be popping up to surprise Soca Lovers everywhere as she takes the airwaves, stages and audiences by storm!
In addition to “Welcome Home”, YOUNI-T made several additional musical contributions to the 2023 season. Soca Fusion releases like “Switch & Twitch”, “Wine Fuh Life” and “God Iz De Boss”, all produced by Anthony “Palmi” Alexander and written by YOUNI-T, are keeping the vibes fresh and constant both in TnT and the mainstream USA markets. However, beyond the fun of the carnival, YOUNI-T also uses her Soca to help those in need. Over the summer, she penned a song entitled UMOJA (unity) Soca, heavily fused with African influences.
YOUNI-T joined the efforts and pledged to donate 100% of all past, current, and future proceeds from her song UMOJA SOCA to the cause of helping others. If you would like to assist directly to Kenyan students in need, you can learn more and donate directly to the organization online by visiting www.codeducation.org.
You may be wondering, “what’s next for the Ivory Queen of Soca” once Ash Wednesday has come and gone. She has her own company “SOCAMERICA Inc.” dedicated to spreading not only her own Soca creations but also recruiting, developing and supporting new artists in the genre. YOUNI-T and her producer, Anthony “Palmi” Alexander also lead a Non-Profit Organization called “Face Tha Muzik”, which provides free training in the music industry to youth and young adults in need. They have successfully served hundreds of young adults in South Florida since it began in 2016! Her hope is to expand the program internationally.
YOUNI-T would like to thank everyone who has supported her over the past decade. A special “shout out” to “Selector Daddy Scratch”- the first selector to ever spin for YOUNI-T when she hit the NCC’s Carnival Village stage in the Savannah a decade ago. He has been an enormous support and continues to push the music forward every chance he gets. In addition, she would also like to send a special message of love and gratitude to the late Anthony “Lexo” Alexis of the Sunshine Newspaper. “Lexo was the first person to interview her and gave her a beautiful write-up in the Sunshine newspaper back in 2013 entitled “A Whiter Shade of Soca. I am eternally grateful to him for his willingness to share my story and my music with the masses. May he continue to rest in eternal bliss.
