When one hears the name Kurt Riley several things come to mind: music, party, fun, dancehall and soca. However, despite being a connoisseur of all the aforementioned it's the latter that this virtuoso has become synonymous with in recent times, as he continued to steadily carve his own niche throughout the Caribbean diaspora. Not only has his brand 'Animal Instinct' been elevated but it's almost safe to say Kurt has become the new face of Carnival. Known for his high energy sets and meticulous mixing, this musical aficionado also has the laurels to substantiate said claims after placing among the Top 10 in the 2016 edition of Trinidad's Soca Monarch competition with 'Non-Stop' featuring Pternsky. Coming on the heels of that success the following year he joined forces with Barbadian soca artiste King Bubba FM for 'Bubbaling', an infectious composition that dominated Crop-Over and other Carnival festivities throughout the region and subsequently led to a remix with dancehall kingpin Beenie Man. No stranger to the Carnival scene, Kurt 'The Party Animal' Riley has also worked with some of the genre's most noted luminaries including Sherwin Winchester, Skinny Fabulous, Lyrikal, Machel Montano, Sekonsta, King Bubba FM among a surfeit of others.
According to Kurt, "The intent is not only to be an ambassador for Reggae and Dancehall but also Soca and being the new face of that movement is a goal to which I have always aspired."
VIDEO: Kurt Riley Unveils New Costume for Carnival 2018 for his band 'Genesis'
Come 2018 Kurt has moved one step closer to realising his goal with the launch of his own Carnival section dubbed 'Genesis'. The segment which forms part of the overall Bacchanal Jamaica group is not only a head turner with its ebullient pieces and evocative colours but continues to win over potential revellers on sheer price point.
For more details, Carnival enthusiasts can contact Animal Instinct 'Genesis' at animalinstinct.ja@gmail.com or visit the Bacchanal Jamaica website.