Bunji Garlin is the modern-day "Midnight Robber": a talented Trinidadian artiste, whose influences and ambitions extend across the Caribbean and beyond, Bunji has become the people's champion. Men respect and admire him, ladies lust after him, the youths idolise him and the kids most definitely love him. Neither Carnival fete nor dancehall bashment can stand still in his presence. He is the ultimate performer; the lyrical master, who addresses his loyal supporters and dwindling critics alike with an incomparable lustre and poise on stage.
After years of practice on the streets of the Eastern Trinidad town of Arima, Bunji broke down the door to the Trinidad music scene in 1998. He took hold of the ragga-soca art-form and shaped it to suit his will. With a raspy baritone and impressive free-style abilities, Bunji soon won the
hearts of cavorting masqueraders everywhere, while simultaneously nourishing the minds of those who would examine his potent lyrical content. He successfully combined various elements of soca and dancehall with hip-hop and even folk forms, to create a unique blend that truly represents the Caribbean community.
Signed to IP Music International in 1999, Bunji released his debut CD, The Chronicles. He fielded hits like "Breakaway", "Gimme De Brass", "Bad Man" and "Chant Down Babylon" on a unique sound-scape supplied by some of the region's top producers. Cementing his grasp on the Ragga-Soca genre, Bunji dismissed detractors and earned awards and accolades at every showing. His growing influence spawned a national Ragga Soca Monarch competition in Trinidad and Tobago, which he won two years in a row (2000 & 2001) and his color-coded imagery surpassed the seasonal semblance to make him a household name throughout the year.
Securing international distribution with NY-based, VP Records, Bunji released his second album, The Revelation in 2001 and spawned monstrous hit singles like the party anthem, "Fete Is Fete" and the socially-conscious selections, "Licks" and "Blessings". Spreading his wings to collaborate with American R&B girl group, Allure on "Bump", Bunji epitomised the relentless innovator as he consistently balanced fete favourites with down-to-earth societal anecdotes like "In The Ghetto," with which he won the International Soca Monarch title in 2002.
With no intro, no skits and very little filler, Bunji's third album, The Black Spaniard asserted his dominance, influence and premiere status in the Ragga Soca industry leading into 2003. Successfully milking the influx of the soca riddum phenomenon, Bunji took up permanent residence on local radio, while introducing the world to his Godfather's Asylum Alumni. The collection offered hard-core soca-dancehall sentiments, alongside explorations of raw kaiso. Uninhibited, Bunji continued to combine different genres as he collaborated with calypso veteran, Singing Sandra on "Cofey Lie" and with chutney master, Shammi Salickram for "Soca Bhangra".
In 2004, Bunji's many talents continue to unfold as he delves head-first into the realm of production on his fourth solo disc, Graceful Vengeance. Tracks like "Warrior Cry" and "One Family" have already been touted as crowd favorites and on this new LP, Bunji embellishes his triumphant position, as the fearless warrior of the ragga-soca generation.
