Dj Dankers — the French Soca Master

INTERVIEW WITH DJ DANKERS

by Simple FX

Dj Dankers

H_ello! It’s me Dj Dankers, a Caribbean DJ from Guadeloupe, passionate about music of course but also about travel and everything related to the Caribbean. My passion for music came naturally from college and hasn’t left me since… I listen to everything but it’s true that I love what rocks the Caribbean and thus Soca. I decided to promote the genre after its disappearance from our musical landscape in the 2000s, surely due to the meteoric rise of dancehall at that time. It has been over 10 years that it has become my battle horse._

Your loyalty to Soca means that today you are becoming a reference in terms of French-speaking DJs in this style of music and you find yourself booked to bring this festive atmosphere to parties, what analysis do you make of this growing enthusiasm?

It’s a great pleasure to see this rise because for years, I was a bit isolated, one might say, as few people believed in this music. It therefore represents a kind of achievement even if there is still a lot to do to sustain this “fashion phenomenon” for some and a true passion for others, it is the primary mission of the French Soca Lovers

We have seen you alongside internationally renowned DJs such as Walshy Fire, Dj Puffy, Dj Payou (:-D) and others, what do you take away from these experiences?

Each experience is different but they are all so enriching, lol! But I am really grateful to be able to represent our French-speaking islands on different Caribbean islands, in the USA, being the first French DJ to mix at Soca Brainwash during the Miami carnival for example… alongside superstar DJs is a real honor and allows for evaluating the work done and the work still to be done.

(left) Walshy Fire with Dj Dankers | (right) Atlanta Carnival Party

One could say that you are now playing internationally with performances in Trinidad, St. Lucia, Miami, Atlanta, Paris, Uber Soca Cruise, and others, how do you approach an audience that may not necessarily know you?

It’s true that it’s not always easy but you have to believe in yourself, reassure them musically by showing that I really love and master this music while marking my difference by introducing them to the culture of our French islands as well.
Seeing people vibrate to Zouk, Kompa, Bouyon at the Uber Soca Cruise for example, is really a lot of emotions.

You have been part of the Caribbean Dream “Premium Edition” adventure since its inception, do you have a memorable event to share from one of these parties?

No particular event comes to mind but it’s true that it’s one of the rare events that smells of the Caribbean, whether through the music, the atmosphere, or the sober yet magnificent setting! It’s really a beautiful event!

Next stop Martinique | February 9 for Caribbean Dream with MarzvilleThe Hypeman & Dj Payou

More information about this event

_ We notice within the soca scene, a rise of styles coming from St. Lucia with the Dennery Segment, the bouyon from Dominica, but especially the use of zouk rhythms in the new sweet soca tracks, could our zouk artists and composers see this as an opportunity for new markets at a time when some say it is “dead”?

Machel Montano ft Jacob Desvarieux — Dancè

It’s a vast debate. But it’s true that reaching out to our neighbors allows us to realize the aura that Zouk has over the Caribbean and this interest from soca music producers for all the musical variants that bathe the Caribbean for a few years now is a real chance to create bridges and thus confront our cultures to enhance them.

Karukera One Love Festival

It’s hard to refer to you without thinking of the artist Riddla, who has had the opportunity to make soca tracks. Do you think that one day a French-speaking artist could have a soca track that would be adopted in English-speaking carnivals, especially with a return of bouyon to the forefront?

Of course it’s possible, it’s a matter of timing and opportunities but I really believe in it, especially him, he really has the potential for it.

RIDDLA — Krazé

You have already released quite a few mixtapes, have you ever considered producing a compilation, otherwise what are your upcoming projects?

I’m thinking about it… The future will tell us more.
Otherwise, I intend to continue to make the French-speaking Caribbean shine as far as possible.

DJ Dankers — Philipsburg, Netherlands Antilles

Thank you for supporting and encouraging me in this mission, Soca is Love … French Soca lovers to di world!!!!!

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