'
Krosfyah' is a
Soca band from the
Caribbean island of
Barbados.
They are best known for their hits "Road Jam", "Pump Me Up", and "Sak Passe". Formed in 1989 by Edwin Yearwood, this band is one of the most known and successful Soca bands of the Caribbean.
The team players of krosfyah are as follows:
1. Edwin Yearwood Lead Vocalist/ Songwriter 2. Anthony Bailey Guitarist/ Vocalist/ Songwriter 3. Khiomal Nurse Vocalist/ Songwriter 4. Mario Burnett Bassist 5. Neil Burnett Drummer 6. Antonio Rudder Keyboardist 7. Corey Jordan Keyboardist 8. Ronald Taylor Sound Engineer 9. Aynsley Greaves Monitor Engineer 10. Paul Reynolds Tour Sales Executive 11. Michael Agard Managing Director 12. Felix Forde Tour & Support Services Manager 13. Ingrid Holder P.R Manager/ Corporate Secretary
Soca has never been so cool! Combat boots, baggy attire, brightly colored bandanas adorning funky dreads and colored 'fros'; krosfyah epitomizes coolness. Combined with infectious melodies, high-energy performances and pulsating rhythms that speak a language only one's hips comprehend, krosfyah has reinvented Soca as we know it.
For the past fifteen years, krosfyah has been touring the world inducing fans across three continents into a soca frenzy! Yet despite the group's sophomore CD's (Ultimate Party – Pump Me Up) sales (totaling over 300,000 units to date without the assistance of a major label), the guys remain humble. As Edwin Yearwood, principal songwriter for krosfyah indicates, "We are just a bunch of island guys who love to play music." And play music is exactly what they do. Whether entertaining 20 or 20,000, krosfyah always delivers an energized performance!
The evolution of krosfyah from playing covers for tourists on Barbados hotel circuit to touring the world and performing their original music for dignitaries like
Nelson Mandela occurred over a span of seven years. While few critics ever doubted the potential of krosfyah, most never imagined this level of success, in such a short space of time.
In
1994, krosfyah released their debut album, "Ultimate Party", which propelled the group from obscurity to the most popular soca band on the island of Barbados and won them the coveted "Band of the Year" title.
In
1995, the group released "Ultimate Party-Pump Me Up". Not only did this album produce the hit song, "Pump Me Up", which became the national anthem for the youth of Barbados but it traveled across the seas to
Canada where it achieved the coveted Gold status in January 1997. As you read, it continues to receive excellent sales and reviews throughout the Caribbean,
South America, the
USA and
Europe, while still finding its way into new global markets. The album bestowed unprecedented honors upon its lead vocalist Edwin Yearwood: "Party Monarch", "Road Monarch Champion" and "Calypso King" in 1995. The triple-crown win by one artiste would mark the first and only time to date, in the history of Barbados' Annual Crop Over Festival, that such a feat has ever been accomplished.
In
1996, the success of krosfyah's third album, "Aim High", led to more awards. The album also produced the hit song, "Wet Me", which dominated the music chart in the neighboring island of
Trinidad and Tobago.
1997 brought forth a six track cd, entitled "Fyah Riddims", 3 tunes from that Album had a good run, those being "Road Block", "Highway Robbery" & "Redemption of Me".
Christmas of that year was a 6 track album entitled "Fyahside Christmas", with favorites such as "My Sweet Lord", "No Christmas Without You", "Jah Son", "End of the Rope" and "Celebration".
During
1998, krosfyah surfaced from the studio with a new album, "Hot Zone" and a new co-lead
vocalist, Ray Armstrong. "Hot Zone", like all of its predecessors, produced hit songs such as "Oil Pumping", "Calor" & "Appetite" which enabled the band to tour across the
United States and
Europe performing at music showcases and festivals.
1999 As if not to be stopped, krosfyah released yet another album "krosfyah.com" in 1999 with hits like "Agony" (which saw Edwin Yearwood crowned
1999 Party Monarch for the third time), "Ragga Beenie", "Forkin", "Be-sa-me" and "Sexy Body", to name a few.
2000 The year
2000 turned out to be no different. Krosfyah marked their return to their homeland's cultural festival – Crop Over -with another remarkable feat. Lead singer with the band, Mr. Edwin Yearwood, won his fourth Party Monarch title with the track 'Fiah Fiah' which is featured on his debut solo album "Influenced: The Good and Badd In Me". This album was released alongside krosfyah's own "The Best of krosfyah vol. 1". This compilation of hits from the past and including two new tracks, continues to demonstrate krosfyah's musical ingenuity.
2001 The return to Crop Over for krosfyah has indeed proven to be one of their best decisions ever. Following the trend of the past years, krosfyah released yet another pulsating, award winning album. "Kool Under Fire", the name of the album, is a fitting title for this ever-dynamic band. The success of this album includes the Barbados 2001 Road March tune, 'Sak Pasé', which was sung by Edwin and the effervescent Khiomal Nurse, who also joined the band that same year. "Emancipation" (another skilfully penned and appropriately titled masterpiece which reflects on our freedom, and some spanish flavour in "Plenty Amor". These songs will certainly add to the continuation of the group's success.
2002 One would agree that in everything there will be good and there will be bad. However, the success comes when you realize amidst it all you can have the situation "Lock Down". krosfyah's 2002 album is certainly a testimony of will power to rise to the top. The album features the Barbados Tune of the Crop third place song "Road Jam", along with fast pace hits, the likes of "Fire Man" and "Ride It" and cool titles "Satisfaction" and "Ling Tong".
Lead guitarist Anthony Bailey, debuted his solo album entitled "Unheard Message" that same year, a 20 track CD that must be heard. This album contains a list of thought provoking and soul searching lyrics to be heard from the first track 'Dear Lord' followed by 'Call Me' a mellow yet groovy song about the meaning of friendship and living a life with integrity. 'Waiting on Love' and 'Guilty' comes later on the CD filled with the essence and message of pure love straight from the heart. 'Cell block 3' a popular hit from Krosfyah album can also be heard on "Unheard Message" .
2003 Krosfyah's versatility continues to be evident even in their album titles. "Enchanted", simple but thought-provoking is the title of the 2003 album. The flava is cool, refreshing and totally krosfyah (still down-to-earth and for their fans and supporters). One song "Family" was specifically written for their faithful supporters, especially those who frequent the message board on krosfyah's website. Other songs include "French Kiss" featuring a French flavored melody and a
ragga-soca number called "Sorry". 2004
"Zero Tolerance", that's the 2004 album title, which clearly speaks out against,
music piracy, drugs and violence. This was definitely the stance which the band and Mr Edwin Yearwood took all the way to the Party Monarch Finals, of which Edwin won for the 5th time, with a song entitled "Invasion", one of the many popular tunes off the album. With other hits such as "Strong Back" and "Pressure" by Khiomal, Keep Rolling It" and the sweet melody of "Sugarcane", which placed 2nd in the People's Monarch Final. This album is yet another classic example of pure musicianship.
For their 15th Anniversary, December 31, 2004, the band brought out yet another classic masterpiece, "The Best of Krosfyah Vol. 2", and to add the icing to the cake, Lead Vocalist and Songwriter of the band, Mr Edwin Yearwood, recently signed a 6 Album deal with VP Records - Waistline Music Division, being the first Soca act to be signed to this label. With the increased presence of Soca in the International marketplace and the genre to be entered into the Grammy Awards, the best is yet to come from this music maestro and his band.
2005 The year 2005 brought forth yet another Musical Masterpiece entitled "Timeless". As the hands of time roll by, the music just gets better with age, with a solid mix of guest artistes such as
Bunji Garlin on the All aboard Remix, Friendz featuring Lil Rick and the 1980s Remake of Rock in Ethiopia featuring
Adonijah, this album is sure to fill your musical pallate for many years to come, signature tunes "Head Gone", "Yardie Graduate" and "Sweetest Thing" nominated for Best Ragga Soca of the Year 2005 and one of the most requested for the season, and WON, are just a few of the "Timeless" memoirs on this album.
2006 There's nothing like "Sweet Sixteen", and that's where krosfyah's at for 2006, as they celebrate their 16th Anniversary in grand style, with a 14 track album entitled "Ever Blazing", and winning "Band of the Year" at the Barbados Music Awards with Mega Hits – "Welcome to the Band", "We Ready to Go", the ladies tune – "Agua", "No Wall Flowers", "Hot Spot", "Sinking Sand", "She's Got to have It" and "Nothing Sweeter", which are just a sample of the fyah that will melt your ears, as they once again ignite your soul with a EverBlazing Fyah. You've just got to have this Album, because there's nothing Sweeter. Tony Bailey also won an award Best Ragga Soca Single Male at the first annual Barbados Music Awards for the band with his ragga soca song, "Sweetest Thing."
2007 A year sure does go by fast, blazing on the heels of a very successful 2006 Album, Barbados' #1 Band is all "Fire Proofed" for 2007, winning "Band of the Year" & Edwin – "Male Entertainer of the Year". Soca Soul tunes, such as "It Feels like", "All my Life", "It's taking Over", "Got this Feeling", "Higher" and "Jah is your Light" are just a few to be added to the Halls of Soca. Fiery hits tell the tales of "Bashment Bacchanal", saying Gimme some More, cause I've "Got this Feeling" and that's "Where I Wanna Be". It's Soca or Die for this band celebrating 18 years December 31, 2007.
2008 "The Journey" continues as this Extraordinary band nips closer to its 20th Anniversary. Similarly to 1995 when 3 crowns were won, 2008 proved to be no different, with Khiomal winning Party Monarch with Unleash the Beast and that he did, whilst Edwin captured The Road March Tune with "Handle ya Bizniz" & The People's Monarch with "Nah Missin Me", which has a signature krosfyah sound of a Pump me Up and was a huge favourite at home and abroad. The Band won "Band of the Year" & Khiomal – "Male Entertainer of the Year". Speak about a well rounded Album, you will listen to each tune from beginning to end and ask where's the rest? You may be caught "In a Jam" with a "Good Gal", "Like So" and "We Chippin" "Till Morning" with "My Best Friend", so "Start de Madness" and "Handle ya Bizniz", cause "That's My Carnival" and it "Nah Missin Me". Cheenatonah everyone!
2009 "Kings of the Groove" certainly is a fitting title, with another host of Tunes that will go down in history. Edwin took the Road March & People's Monarch titles once again with the uptempo hit tune "In de Middle ah de Road", and the Band won "Band of the Year", "Band of the Decade", whilst Edwin took "Male Entertainer of the Year" & "Best Uptempo Soca Single - Male" at the 5th Annual Barbados Music Awards 2010. The "Carnival on my Mind", "Whole night Long", "Trouble", "She's Going down", among others, allows you to understand why they are called "Kings of the Groove".
The 20th anniversary celebrations started on December 31, 2009 at the exact time that the band played their first gig 20 years ago. The band presented the "Kings of The Groove" fete at Party Stand with Power by Four where patrons partied to 20yrs of popular hits.
While it is true, that krosfyah are "just a bunch of islanders who love to play music", krosfyah's players (Edwin Yearwood, Anthony Bailey, Khiomal Nurse, Corey Jordan, Neil Burnett, Antonio Rudder and Mario Burnett) each add, a unique ingredient to their Magical Music.
2010 'THE Experience' speaks for itself with the title alone. This entire album flooded the airwaves for the crop over season and beyond with hits 'Come up to me', 'Sugarr', 'Neighbor' done with Edwin Yearwood and Patrice Roberts from Trinidad which gained favor with the masses. "No Cheating" by Tony 'Rebel' Bailey was a hit definitely with male and females. 'On this day' also by Bailey can be found on The Experience, a groovy Soca jam that puts you in the mood to chip down the road. The popular up tempo track "Chrissenin" earned Edwin second place at The Soca Royale Party Monarch held at
Bushy Park, St. Philip, second place for Road March on Kadooment day, as well as Video of the Year Male at The Barbados Music Awards 2k11. "Till De Sunrise"/'We Ain't had enough' speaks for itself also with the title, because party goers just couldn't get enough this season. Khiomal Nurse mash up the fetes with 'Doan Tell ne Nuttin" and Tony Bailey stirred things up with 'Bid Old Truck' another up tempo track that is the essence of Krosfyah that fans looked forward to experience year after year.
'
The Experience' of Krosfyah continue to blaze the airwaves,
"Chrissening" the fetes
"Till the Sunrise" cause we ain't had enough, encouraging the masses to
"Come up to me" and party with
"No Cheating" so people
"Doan Tell me Nuttin" because we are all
"Neighbors' that love
"Sugarr" to give us energy to jump behind the
"Big Old Truck" "On this Day" and every day that Krosfyah have a fete!
"The band Krosfyah was honoured by honored by the Ministry of Culture and the
National Cultural Foundation on Sunday night, 3 August 2010 08:35 pm at
Kensington Oval for their 20-year contribution to Barbadian music."
In what was, but yet another significant point in a year of celebration, the band headlined this year's Digicel Red Hot Cohobblopot performing – in 40 minutes – many of the past and present hits. Afterwards, Minister of Community Development and Culture Steve Blackett, flanked by NCF Chairman Kenneth Knight and CEO Dr. Donna Hunte-Cox, presented the band an award as "Musical Icons" for their contribution to the growth of local culture.
Krosfyah founding members Felix Forde and Mike Agard said the gesture was a touching one.
"It was a touching one on the NCF's behalf; it's great to see the Ministry of Culture get behind us," said Agard.
Noting that the band has already performed in St. Vincent, Antigua, St marten, St. Croix and Barbados with celebration concerts, Forde said the band would be performing a major celebratory concert in
Toronto for September. Another is scheduled for
England.
"The performances have been going well and tonight was another celebration."
'Krosfyah 20th Anniversary Special Edition' is available for purchase on Iribbean.com. This three (3) Disc Album contains a vast number of brilliant Soca music done over the years by the band. Hits such as 'Head Gone', Haunting Melody' along with 'Redemption of me' and 'Voice in my Head' are available on Disc 1. Many still remember 'Bend over Gal', 'Sweetest Thing' and 'Facts of Life' done by Tony 'Rebel' Bailey, Disc 2 is the one for you to reminisce on those vibes. 'Dushi' and 'Oil Pumping' is also available giving you that desire to get to the next Krosfyah fete. Disc 3 brings 'Weekend', Nah missin Me', 'Strong Back' and 'Jockin ya Waist' a popular track that displays the unique song and beautiful harmonies of Edwin Yearwood and Tony 'Rebel' Bailey.
Michael Agard stated that the band is looking forward to speeding their sound as far afield as possible.
Other plans for Krosfyah's 20th anniversary have seen them adopting local primary school Half Moon Fort Primary School.
Krosfyah celebrated twenty - one (21) years on Dec 31 2010 at The Party Stand with Power by Four and presented "4 Ever 21" to a vast crowd who had a great time celebrating with old and new hits. The band rendered different genres of music including
Bruno Mars - The Way you are which was done by Khiomal Nurse and
Jah Cure's popular hit Unconditional Love done by Tony 'Rebel' Bailey. To show appreciation to the fans and patrons, a draw was done for a new fully loaded Chevy Spark valued at $50,000.00.
Founding member of leading local band Krosfyah, Tony Rebel Bailey says that because of the global economic crisis the group have had to put measures in place to survive. Speaking to
Starcom Network while promoting "4 Ever 21" to celebrate 21years of existence, Mr. Bailey says that being smart business people have helped them to stay afloat.
On
The Journey to the
Ultimate Party - Pump Me Up with the
Timeless Fire Proof Fyah Riddims that are the
Ever Blazin Best of Krosfyah from the
Kings of the Groove. There will be
Zero Tolerance as we
Aim High to create the
Ultimate Party and have a
Fyahside Christmas.
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