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Soca has never been so cool! Combat boots, baggy attire, brightly colored bandanas adorning funky dreads and coloured ‘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 travelled across the seas to Canada where it achieved the coveted Gold status in January of 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.
1996
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
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 favourites such as “My Sweet Lord”, “No Christmas Without You”, “Jah Son”, “End of the Rope” and “Celebration”.
1998
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.
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 flavoured 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 31st, 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
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 1980’s 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.
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 Extraodinary 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”.
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, and Mario Burnett) each add, a unique ingredient to their Magical Music.
The team players of krosfyah are as follows:
- Edwin Yearwood Lead Vocalist/ Songwriter
- Anthony Bailey Guitarist/ Vocalist/ Songwriter
- Khiomal Nurse Vocalist/ Songwriter
- Mario Burnett Bassist
- Neil Burnett Drummer
- Morris Cassell Keyboardist
- Corey Jordan Keyboardist
- Ronald Taylor Sound Engineer
- Aynsley Greaves Monitor Engineer
- Paul Reynolds Tour Sales Executive
- Andrew Weekes Barbados Sales Executive
- Michael Agard Managing Director
- Felix Forde Tour & Support Services Manager
- Ingrid Holder P.R Manager/ Corporate Secretary
krosfyah Achievements and Awards
- 1993 The Nation Entertainment Awards Most Improved Act
- 1994 The Nation Entertainment Awards Band of the Year
- 1994 Arts Support Alliance Band of the Year 1994
- 1995 The Nation Entertainment Awards Band of the Year
- 1995 Barbados Road March Third Place “Crank It”
- 1995 National Cultural Foundation Best Community Band 1995
- 1996 Caribbean Music Awards Album of the Year ’95 – “Pump Me Up”
- 1996 Boston Caribbean Music Awards Best International Group Award
- People’s Choice Award (Edging out Shaggy,
- Buju Banton and SuperBlue)
- 1996 Edwin received the keys to the City of Boston from the Mayor’s Office
- 1996 Barbados Malibu Congaline Festival Road March “Yardie”
- 1996 Barbados Crop Over Festival Band of the Year
- 1996 K103 Radio, Montreal, Canada Champion “Battle of the Bands”
- ‘Street Sounds” R&B program (Pump Me Up, the first Soca song to have ever entered the competition, beating Prince’s new release 30 - 4.)
- 1996 Reggae Soca Awards - Miami Best Soca Group 1996
- The Ultimate Party CD turns GOLD. (January)
- 1997 Music Manufacturing Services Certified Gold Record - Canada
- 1997 Trinidad Music Awards Best Song” All Aboard” written by Edwin
Yearwood for the band Atlantik.
- 1997 Boston Caribbean Music Awards Best International Group 1997
- 1997 Caribbean Music Awards Best Group 1997
- Best recording of the year “Ultimate Party - Pump Me Up”.
- 1997 Sunshine Music Awards - N.Y. Best Recording By a Group
- 1999 World Beat Music Awards For Their Contribution to Soca Music
- 2001 Barbados Crop Over Festival Road March “Sak Pasé”
- 2002 Barbados Crop Over Festival 3rd Place Road March Song “Road Jam”
- 2003 Trinidad Carnival Hottest Overall Soca Brass Band
- 2006 Barbados Music Awards Band of the Year - January
- 2006 13th Reggae Soca Music Awards Best Soca Group & Album of the Year - May
- 2006 Barbados Music Awards Band of the Year
- 2007 Barbados Music Awards Band of the Year
- 2008 Barbados Music Awards Band of the Year & Best Soca Single
- 2008 Rd March, Party & People’s Monarch Handle ya Bizniz, Unleash & Nah Missin Me
- 2009 Barbados Music Awards Band of the Year
- 2009 Rd March & People’s Monarch In de Middle ah de Road
Some krosfyah Notable Performances
- 1995 St. Kitts Music Festival
- 1996 Cartegena Music Festival - Columbia (Hailed as one of the best bands of entire festival)
- 1996 Cohobblopot - Barbados
- 1996 Stadtgarten at POPKOM Music Festival - Germany
- 1996 Museumsuferfest - Frankfurt, Germany
- 1996 Miami Carnival
- Air Jamaica U.S. Promotional Tour
- Trinidad Carnival
- 1997 Suriname Tour
- 1997 Radio City Music Hall
- 1997 Bahamas Musik Festival
- 1997 BTA UK Tour
- 1997 Curacao / Aruba / Suriname Tour
- 1997 Reggae Riddums Festival - New Orleans
- 1997 Central Park Summerstage - New York
- The Onyx - MIDEM Latin America & Caribbean Music Market – Miami
- 1997 Montserrat - free Christmas Concert
- Trinidad Carnival
- Sinbad Music Festival – Aruba
- 1998 Bermuda Tour
- Germany & Amsterdam Tour
- Bonaire Tour
- 1998 Caricom Heads of State Concert – St. Lucia
- Trinidad Carnival
- 1999 Colleges across the USA
- New Orleans Jazz Festival
- 1999 Montreal Jazz Festival
- 1999 Washington Carnival
- 1999 African Festival, Washington, DC
- Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, VA
- 1999 Afrobean, San Francisco, CA
- Afrikadey Festival (Dundey), Calgary
- World Beat Music Festival, Trinidad
- Pirates Week Festival
- 1999 Spirit of Unity Tour
- 1999 WOMEX Trade Fair, Berlin, Germany
- Trinidad Carnival
- Trinidad Hilton
- 2000 University of Central Florida
- 2000 Clayton State College
- 2000 International Sunfest
- Boat Ride, New York
- 2000 Crop Over 2000, Barbados
- 2000 Carifesta Fascination Cruise Ship
- Trinidad Carnival
- St. Vincent Pre-Election Celebration
- Jamaica Bacchanal Village
- Congaline Festival, Barbados
- Island In the Park with Air Jamaica
- Belgium & Netherlands
- Crop Over 2001, Barbados
- Miami Carnival
- World Creole Music Festival, Dominica
- Montreal, Quebec
- St. Philip’s Carnival, Barbados
- Trinidad Carnival
- Jamaica Carnival
- Spectakula Barbados
- Crop Over 2002, Barbados
- Trinidad Carnival
- Cayman Is Quincentennial Celebrations
- Crop Over 2003
- Brooklyn Museum
- St. Lucia Wet Fete
- 2003 St. Croix
- 2003 Tortola
- 2003 St. Thomas
- 2004 Bonaire
- 2004 Trinidad Carnival
- 2004 Labour Day
- Tortola/ Bonaire/ St. Croix/St. Thomas
- 2004 Guadelope/ St. Vincent/ Antigua/Dominica
- England/ Holland/ UK
- 2005 Barbados - Crop Over Festival
- 2006 Unite the Nations - Toronto
- 2006 Barbados - Crop Over Festival
- 2006 N.Y - Labour Day Weekend
- 2006 Hartford – Sept. 8
- 2006 Guyana – Oct. 28
- 2006 Suriname – Nov. 4
- 2007 Bonaire/ Curacao Carnival- Jan
- 2007 Calgary – March 3
- 2007 London/Holland June 16/17
- 2008 Crop Over – Barbados
- 2009 St. Martin Carnival
- 2009 Crop Over - Barbados
- 2009 Virginia Festival
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