Bunji Garlin will soon be no more
By Aba A. Luke (T&T Guardian)Antonio Alvarez, known in the soca world as Bunji Garlin, will soon morph into another being. His transformation was initiated with the chopping of his dreads some two months ago, and via twitter on June 27, the artiste announced that his metamorphosis would soon begin. “The time of metamorphosis is here. New name coming soon, new image came last night… Presidentially Madderific, new slangs, new words,” he tweeted.
Bunji sends strong signalIn a quick chat with the T&T Guardian, the man who in 2011 told his detractors to “Hold A Burn,” explained that on Sunday during his first major performance in T&T following Carnival 2011, the formal attire he donned at the Basia Beat Breast Cancer concert was exactly what the public could look forward to in the future. “The vibe was light during my performance with the band, and I’ve decided to keep that in motion. I’m going with a full metamorphosis,” he assured. In recent months, Alvarez has been tweeting hard, blowing up the online social world with tidbits about his wife’s home cooking, his daughter’s appearance at the band’s rehearsals, and even offering solid words of wisdom in many instances. Monday’s tweet was, however, a signal that the new and improved “fireman” as he’s fondly known, will soon be unveiled, complete, he said, with a new name, a new musical edge and a new dress code he referred to as the “Presidential Swagg.”
Birthday bash in New YorkThe band returned to Trinidad from Summer Splash in St Thomas, to perform at the cancer awareness fund-raiser at the Queen’s park Savannah on Sunday, and Alvarez explained that the team would be on the road again soon, as they were scheduled to perform at Outrageous in Red in Barbados. Additionally, he’s busy with preparations for his birthday celebration, which takes place at New York’s Club VIP on July 23. “Makamillion, TC, Shal, Problem Child and a lot of other artistes will be there. New York was the original place for the party and it’s always a good stronghold,” he highlighted. On his planned metamorphosis, the soca impresario assured that it is a “process in progress.” He said he could only speak for himself, but hinted that wife Fay Ann Lyons was also tweaking things a bit to ensure bigger strides in the year ahead.