Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission Celebrates Release of the “Black Pineapple Riddim”

A landmark new addition to Caribbean music has officially entered the global streaming space, as the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission unveiled *Black Pineapple Riddim* — a genre-bending collaborative project that grew directly out of the commission’s 2025 Music Producers’ Masterclass: Audio Essentials. Led by internationally celebrated music producer Kasey Phillips, founder and CEO of Precision Productions, the hands-on workshop was crafted to uplift homegrown creative talent in Antigua and Barbuda, equipping local producers, songwriters and performers with industry-leading knowledge across production, sound engineering, songcraft, and the modern business of Caribbean music. Today, that initial investment in local creative development has matured into a release already being celebrated as a transformative contribution to Antigua and Barbuda’s iconic soca scene. More than just a compilation of tracks, *Black Pineapple Riddim* marks a defining milestone in the ongoing evolution of Antiguan popular music, serving as a deliberate, bold exploration of the twin islands’ cultural identity, rhythmic heritage and national spirit through sound. The project draws deep inspiration from legendary Antiguan musical trailblazers such as Burning Flames, while weaving in contemporary Caribbean sonic influences and smooth R&B textures to strike a careful balance between long-held tradition and forward-thinking innovation. At its creative core, the riddim confronts a central question that has shaped the expanding Antiguan soca movement in recent years: What makes a distinctly Antiguan sound? The answer comes to life in a dynamic listening experience that pairs the unmistakeable, high-energy “kang-kang” rhythm, a nod to the iconic cowbell pattern of the legendary *Debble Riddim*, with lush modern synthesizers, updated grooves and authentic storytelling rooted in Caribbean life. Boasting an all-star lineup of exclusively Antiguan and Barbudan talent, the project features standout contributions from celebrated performers Tian Winter, Drastic, DmitriB, Arlen Seaton, and Nikki Nooks. Each artist brings one-of-a-kind creative perspective and sonic flair to the compilation, resulting in a musical “pepperpot” that vividly reflects the extraordinary diversity and rich cultural tapestry of Antigua and Barbuda. Ambassador Elizabeth Makhoul, a leading driving force behind the original masterclass initiative, praised the finished project as powerful proof of the value of investing in local creative ecosystems. “The fact that this full project grew directly from that workshop is truly remarkable,” Makhoul shared. “It speaks to the incredible depth of talent we have right here in Antigua and Barbuda, and underscores why continued investment in our creatives and cultural industries is so critical.” Produced, mixed and mastered in full by Phillips’ Precision Productions, the five-track compilation holds a cohesive sonic identity while giving each artist and track space to retain its unique creative voice. The full track listing includes DmitriB’s “So What,” written by Dmitri Bernard Erv Baptiste; Nikki Nooks’ “Last Time,” written by Nikki Nooks with background vocals from Cleavon “Cjae” Childs and Chestine James; Arlen Seaton’s “Neighbah,” penned by Charles Arlen Seaton and Blashford Wilkins; Drastic’s “Shalom,” written by Art “Drastic” Philip; and Tian Winter’s “Want Um,” co-written by Cleavon “Cjae” Childs and Tian Winter with background vocals from Childs. Additional credits list all tracks as co-written by Kasey Michael Phillips, with guitar work by Kyle Peters, created in official collaboration with the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission. As of its official launch, *Black Pineapple Riddim* is available for streaming worldwide on YouTube and all major digital music platforms, bringing the distinct sound of modern Antiguan soca to global audiences.