The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

THE CARIBBEAN Slide has gone island wide and viral, going from a fun hip song to a dance routine well known to many.
Many events, schools, socials and even the staff at Se�or Frogs have taken on the energetic movement by Bahamian musician Julien Thompson.

The song includes island dance moves like stomp de roach and the conch style. The upbeat track is a fusion of Junkanoo music and it is also a new sound for the artist, as fans know him for his slow, inspirational song “Believe”.
“Believe was telling more of a story about the struggles and this time around I wanted to say ‘hey we already went through the storm and now it is time to celebrate,” said Julien.
Since its release last year October, Julien said the song has gained great feedback and success.

“If we had to say how many places or organisations we have introduced the slide to, I would have to say a few hundred. From in the back of Gambier to New York City’s Time Square. We have been to schools parties, churches, concerts, homes, bar mitzvahs, weddings, dances, children’s homes, restaurants, night clubs, TV stations, all kinds of stuff,” said Julien.

The Caribbean Slide was arranged and choreographed by Bahamian dance group Juice Unit. He said whenever people see him or his team they know their intention is to create a high energetic atmosphere with loads of fun and excitement.

“We are full of tricks and stunts and you never know what to expect when it comes to our performances. We love crowd participation,” said Julien.
Julien’s Caribbean Slide was at the centre of a flash-mob event held in the Marina Village in January. The event drew a big crowd, including the participation of members of the Philadelphia 76-ers pre-pro dance team.

As a way to promote the dance and contribute to a worthy cause, he and his team staged a random demonstration of the Caribbean Slide where attendees learned the moves step by step. After learning the dance several attendees went head to head in a competition. Proceeds from the flash-mob benefited the Ranfurly Home.

In February, the routine was also a part of a global campaign “One Billion Rising,” to end violence against women.
Bahamians joined scores of people all over the world on Valentine’s Day to rise, strike and dance for peace. The Bahamas Rising event held on Rawson Square by the Bahamas Against Sexual Violence & Child Abuse (BASV&CA) featured Julien and the Caribbean Slide dancers. They took over Rawson’s Square. 
Even with all the success, Julien said he is far from the goal he wants to reach with the single.

“I will reach my goal when I know the whole entire world is doing our dance. Until then we are full of work. We have thousands of places to visit and people to see,” said Julien.“The feedback is amazing. I am happy that the Bahamian people are behind this and supporting the movement. We are getting videos from all over the world and we are thrilled. Our people are supporting the movement. I mean really supporting it. We feel blessed, proud, privileged and fortunate.”

The Unity Fest event that featured international singer Wyclef Jean, was Julien’s most recent performance of the song. He said the selection was “off the chain”.

“It was bananas, we had about thirty dancers with us. Shout out to Bullet, Dapa, Patrice, Keara, Savanna, Symone, Casharon, Leah, Augustin, Khadijah, Keevana, Tamika, the FM Crew and everyone who was apart of that historic night. The crowd went crazy and we had the whole stadium doing the dance. The whole stadium I say,” said Julien.

“They loved my ballads and sung along with me. I then introduced my latest single “Bring Me To Life” and the crowd asked me to sing it again. Everyone who came was really impressed and we got really good reviews from the promoters and the public alike.”
Julien said he is also promoting a new single “Winner”.
Julien said 2013 is going to be his biggest year to date. “All I have is new music to give to the people,” he said.