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Punta Rock Music, if you don't know or never heard, is one of the
strongest elements of the Garifuna Culture whereby the language and dance
has been preserved by generations. While most Punta Rock songs are written
in Garifuna some songs are also written in Spanish, broken English or the
local language of the artist. Garifuna is a unique language formed
from the blending of Carib, Arawak Indian and African languages, mixed with
a little French and Spanish. Authentic Punta Rock music incorporates
key instruments such as the Garifuna drums, turtle shells and the "shaka"
(or rattle) mixed with the electric guitar and keyboards, creating an
explosive and rocking rhythm. It is easy for one who has never heard such
music to catch the vibe and start moving to the rhythm of the beat. This wave
of cultural experience has been known to rejuvenate audiences all over the
Caribbean, Central America and other parts of the world, serving as a link
between the young and older generation.
"Aziatic", a name once heard around the Eastern
Hemisphere but
never in his community, by 1996 would become a household topic. The release
of his first solo album "Jam 96X", marked the sparked that ignited
the flames that burns today, no questions asked.
With the "The Rebirth" came the versatility, expressing some of
the common music genre's of the Caribbean. Aziatic showed the world that he
could do it all (Punta rock, r&b, hip-hop and soca). With this, his
sophomore
effort and just about the biggest factor in most careers, he will always be
remember for the hottest record on this album "Prym Tym 69".
"Most Wanted" is a name that speaks for itself. By his third album
Aziatic became the most sought after Punta rock Artist from Belize, with his
songs being played from station to station on heavy rotation.
Around the turn of the new
millennium, Aziatic was flying high. Traveling
back and forth to Belize and around the US. It is with this opportunity he
recorded and released two albums in one year. On the first one "Crazy Fi
We" Aziatic introduced Griga Boys (the next big Punta Rock Band from
Dangriga). With this album the tracks came fast and hard. A nonstop
Puntarock album that would solidify Griga Boys entry into the limelight.
Within that same year came "The Scripture". An album that would
introduce a young Adriana at the tender age of 9 and re-introduce a mature
Paula Castillo (one of the best female Punta rock vocalist of our time). With
both "Crazy Fi We" and "The Scripture" Aziatic would break bread and share
the fruits of his labor. "The Standard" is an album that finds the
mysterious Aziatic at the best of his craft. In a zone of his own, "The
Standard" stretches the vocal ranges of Belize's Top Notch Entertainer,
"Aziatic" aka The Meaning of Excitement.
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