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Port-of-Spain, Trinidad:

The phrase “Drink Water and Mind My Business” has been on the tip of tongues globally since its release on December 20th. The widely relatable catchphrase which guides the storytelling by Trinidad and Tobago-born Patrice Roberts in her Soca song ‘Mind My Business’ has been trending on social media platforms.

To date, the song is proving to be the go-to choice in Instagram Reels and Tik Tok videos. Having surpassed 30 million views collectively on the social media platforms, the song’s success is being celebrated not only by Trinidad and Tobago natives but the Caribbean diaspora collectively.

‘Mind My Business’ is the first Soca song in over five years to enter major mainstream markets. The lovers of the genre that was birthed in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1970s are expressing great levels of optimism. The hope is that the song’s popularity is an indication of global acceptance for Soca music. Currently holding on to the #2 spot on the iTunes Reggae Chart, ‘Mind My Business’ also previously held the #1 spot for three (3) consecutive days.

It’s now a daily occurrence for the Caribbean internet to celebrate the inroads ‘Mind My Business’ has been making. “My team and I have received thousands of tags on social media platforms and have been seeing supporters of the genre sharing information about not only me but our culture,” shares Patrice Roberts. We continue to receive news of the song being added to playlists on various radio stations outside of the Caribbean even recently to BBC 1Xtra and Kiss FM in England. The support Patrice has been receiving thus far is described by her as “a comfortable mix of aggression and enthusiasm.” Understandably, there is a great desire by the masses for the genre to be acknowledged internationally.

Roberts, whose career as a Soca artiste has yielded great rewards is a first-timer to this level of virality. What impresses her the most about the song’s success is the significant indulgence outside of the Caribbean diaspora. As ‘Mind My Business’ continue to capture international audiences, celebrities, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jay and Radhi Shetty, TLC’s Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, former Destiny Child member Michelle Williams, Love and Hip Hop’s Karlie Redd, Selling Tampa’s Sharelle Rosado, Gizelle Bryant and Karla Giorgio, American actress Elise Neal and Grammy award-winning Puerto Rican singer Olga Tanon and a host of others have posted themselves enjoying the hit track. 

Ultimately, Patrice is embracing all the possibilities. Throughout this journey, she is focused on ensuring that both she and Soca music are recognized.

‘Mind My Business’ was written by Trinidadian Mical Teja and Produced by Trinidadian Travis World and Martiniquan Dan Evens.