THE PRINCE OF BRUKDOWN CELEBRATES BELIZE Cocono Bwai – Roots and Forward WRITTEN BY G. MICHAEL BOWEN PHOTO: ERNIE ALPUCHE
The evolution of Brukdown is central to the story of Belize Creole Culture, known locally as Kriol. The music traces its roots to the rhythm and song of African Slaves, brought to Belize to cut logwood and mahogany. Like other music of the African diaspora, early forms of Brukdown were centered on drum and dance, and followed a call-and-response format.
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ward winning Belizean vocalist and entertainer Cocono Bwai, The Prince of Brukdown, is keeping the sound alive, and the hits coming. Music in Belize reflects the culture – it’s a real mash up of genre and style. But when we de talk ‘bout Kriol Kultcha, you done know… Brukdown da de ting!
Other traditional Brukdown instruments include banjo, accordion and guitar, plus anything lying around that can be used for making sounds and keeping time. Favorite percussion instruments include the fork and grater, jawbone of an ass, and even the ribbed side of a Fanta bottle. In recent years, technologies like drum machines and pre-recorded tracks have widely replaced live musicians in performance environments for many genres, including Brukdown, along with its Caribbean cousins - Reggae, Soca, Calypso, and Punta Rock. However, some Brukdown artists still perform with live bands, Cocono Bwai among them. Born Cecille Jenkins Jr., Belize City vocalist and songwriter Cocono Bwai is a young musician with an old soul. From the time he stepped on the scene in 2014, Cocono Bwai has been a local favorite. After winning the Belize National Song Competition in 2014 in the Junior Category, Cocono Bwai returned to claim the top spot again in 2015, this time in the Belize Song Category.
PHOTO: SAN PEDRO HOUSE OF CULTURE
Brukdown (also spelled Brukdong) is a cultural music specific to Belize that was popularized by the iconic bandleader and accordion player Mr. Wilfred Peters, well known as The King of Brukdown – RIP. His tune “Good Mawnin’ Belize” serves as a sort of local anthem, and is guaranteed to play daily on radio stations across the country. CARIBBEANLIFESTYLE.COM
In 2016, Cocono Bwai teamed up with producer-of-the-year Junie Mar to record the hit “Dengue Fever”, which was highly acclaimed by Belizean audiences. Together the pair then released Cocono Bwai’s first album, Prince of Brukdown. September of that year was one to remember as Cocono Bwai again clinched a first place title in the Belize National Song Competition for his track, “Border to Border” featuring female vocalist Shamrock.
September is always a big month for music in Belize as the country celebrates with street festivals, carnival parades, and massive music events. Patriotic music can be heard playing in the streets, on the radio, and from DIY sound systems all around the country. Listeners are guaranteed to hear cultural favorites like “Tenth September” from Calypso Rose and Lord Rhaburn Combo, plus “Kriol Kulcha” by The Queen of Brukdown, Leela Vernon. With all the fanfare and excitement related to the Independence Day, Cocono Bwai’s “Border to Border” is sure to be a hit. Since that track released in 2016, Cocono Bwai has been busy releasing more hit singles including, “Dengue Fever Pt. 2 - Dr. Malarkie”, “Cedar Bark”, “Ms. Leela”, “Wielo Wielo”, and “Pango”, plus the 2018 Belize National Song Competition winner, “My Sweet Belize”. He’s performed at many of the biggest Belizean events including, Sir Barry Bowen’s Belikin Bash, Belize Soundfest, and Belize City’s Annual Brukdown Bram. The young artist even had the chance to share the stage with internationally acclaimed Jamaican dancehall artist, Popcaan, during his performance in Belize. Over the last few months, Cocono Bwai has been tightening up his performances and writing new music with his band, The Brukdong Jam Band. The band features live drums, keys, percussion, guitar, and bass, plus moves with the support of sound system engineer and crew, Gemini Sound. THIS SEASON, LOOK OUT FOR COCONO BWAI’S NAME NEAR THE TOP OF THE FLYER FOR ALL THE SEPTEMBER CELEBRATIONS IN BELIZE CITY AND BEYOND. THE PRINCE OF BRUKDOWN IS ON THE FORWARD LOOK OUT FOR HIM!
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