Krosfyah

As one of the most innovative soca bands to come out of Barbados, Krosfyah has managed to redefine the whole genre, forever changing the way the music is played and presented. Armed with an exuberant sound that adds touches of reggae and R&B to the soca mix, a funky and decidedly urban look accented with baggy pants and bandannas and a magnetic stage presence, the group grabbed the attention of an expanding international audience and never let go. Lead by the charismatic, smooth-voiced Edwin Yearwood, Krosfyah (Yearwood, Anthony Bailey, Sherwin King, Elvis Edwards, Khiomal Nurse, Sharon Darlington, Morris Cassell, and Corey Jordan) remains one of the most popular soca bands ever. Not only do they serve up the essential high-energy, hip-winding sound that's the foundation for soca, but they add lyrical depth and soulful ballads, which is unusual for the genre. Formed in 1989 in the working-class neighborhood of Clapham by lead singer/songwriter Yearwood, drummer Bailey, Michael Agard, and Felix Forde, the group started out playing cover songs on the Barbados hotel circuit. Searching for a chance to play their original music, they were selected to represent Barbados at a showcase in Trinidad and knocked the audience out with their fresh blend of soca and reggae. Emboldened by the response, Yearwood decided to broaden their appeal and change the group's image. He changed the spelling from Crossfire to Krosfyah, to represent the way it's pronounced in the Bajan dialect. Although most soca performers are middle-aged, he added baggy clothes and combat boots to the group's look to appeal to a younger crowd. Krosfyah's debut release in 1994, Ultimate Party, served notice that the band was going to shake things up. It helped them when they won the Band of the Year title in...