Farmer Nappy Brings “Big People Party” to Manhattan: 2014 S.O.B.’s Album Launch
Fresh from one of the biggest Carnival seasons of his solo career, Farmer Nappy brought “Big People Party” to New York City on Sunday, April 13, 2014, officially launching the album at the legendary S.O.B.’s in Manhattan.
Presented by S.O.B.’s, Country Life Entertainment and FOX FUSE, the free event brought Farmer Nappy together with a live band, Soca fans and members of the music community for a night built around his latest album and one of Trinidad Carnival 2014’s biggest songs. Contemporary publicity following the event reported a full-capacity crowd.
Farmer Nappy’s Big People Party official album release at S.O.B.’s in New York City, April 13, 2014.
Farmer Nappy’s Big People Party official album release at S.O.B.’s in New York City, April 13, 2014.
“Big People Party” Arrives in New York
The Big People Party album had been released worldwide on February 25, 2014, just as Farmer Nappy was enjoying a major Trinidad Carnival season. The 12-track project was issued through Country Life Music and FOX FUSE and included songs such as “Stranger,” “Family,” “Minglin’,” “Drunk,” “Down Low,” “All Ah Dat,” “Ah Find Mehself Dey” and “Doh Stick.”
The title track became the centerpiece of the campaign. “Big People Party” finished second in the 2014 Trinidad and Tobago Road March race, behind Machel Montano’s “Ministry of Road,” and Farmer Nappy also placed third in the International Groovy Soca Monarch competition.
By the time he reached Manhattan in April, Farmer Nappy was carrying one of the most recognizable Groovy Soca records of the season into the New York market.
Watch: Vivaa Goes Behind the Scenes
Julianspromos coverage began before the concert.
Sheniele “Vivaa” Dodson met with Farmer Nappy ahead of showtime, capturing an interview and a look at preparations surrounding the album launch. The coverage also went inside the band rehearsal as the musicians prepared for the live performance.
Julianspromos behind-the-scenes coverage hosted by Sheniele “Vivaa” Dodson.
Farmer Nappy Live at S.O.B.’s
The album launch centered on a full live-band performance rather than a brief promotional appearance.
Farmer Nappy moved through music from different stages of his career, including material connected to his earlier years as well as songs from his growing solo catalogue, before bringing the night back to the record that had defined his 2014 season: “Big People Party.”
Farmer Nappy performing live at the Big People Party album launch at S.O.B.’s in Manhattan.
Both Julianspromos videos were uploaded on May 5, 2014, with the footage shot and edited by Julian C. Hackett.
A Live Band for the Big People Party
Farmer Nappy’s S.O.B.’s performance was backed by a live band, giving the album launch a concert feel that matched the musical character of “Big People Party.”
The musicians included Scott Galt of De Red Boyz on guitar, Shawn “Mr. Roots” Mitchell of WIZ Records on bass, Darien Bailey of Studio B on keyboards and Melvin Alick on drums.
That presentation was particularly fitting for a song whose appeal was rooted in the feel of Groovy Soca, Calypso and live instrumentation rather than treating the New York launch as simply a playback event.
Lady G Joins Farmer Nappy
The show also produced a Caribbean crossover moment when Jamaican Dancehall veteran Lady G joined Farmer Nappy onstage for an impromptu performance of their “Surrender Remix.”
Her appearance added another dimension to a night that already brought together Soca performers, DJs, media and fans from across New York’s Caribbean community.
Dr. Jay and Team Soca
The evening was hosted by Toronto Soca personality Dr. Jay, as advertised on the official event artwork.
Music for the night was provided by Team Soca, helping turn the album release into a full Soca celebration before and around Farmer Nappy’s live performance.
Meeting the Fans
The event was also designed to bring Farmer Nappy directly together with his supporters.
Along with the concert, the official promotion advertised an artist meet-and-greet and autograph session, giving fans an opportunity to connect with Farmer Nappy during the New York launch of the album.
That made the evening more than a standard concert. It served as the formal introduction of the Big People Party album to New York while giving longtime Soca supporters direct access to the artist.
Big People Party at S.O.B.’s Photo Gallery
Revisit Farmer Nappy’s April 13, 2014 album launch through original photos from S.O.B.’s in Manhattan, capturing the performance, fans and atmosphere surrounding the New York release of Big People Party.
Photos from Farmer Nappy’s Big People Party album launch at S.O.B.’s in New York City.
From the Julianspromos Archives
Farmer Nappy’s Big People Party album launch represents an important part of Julianspromos’ continued growth during 2014.
By this point, the platform was documenting Caribbean artists across a wider range of career moments—not only fetes and Carnival events, but also concerts, interviews, album launches and promotional appearances.
For this assignment, Sheniele “Vivaa” Dodson hosted the Julianspromos coverage, interviewing Farmer Nappy and taking viewers inside the preparations before the show. Julian C. Hackett shot and edited both the behind-the-scenes and live-performance videos.
The event also placed Julianspromos among the media covering a campaign intended to introduce Farmer Nappy and Big People Party to a broader North American audience. The official promotional flyer itself credited Julianspromos for video coverage, reflecting the platform’s increasingly established presence within Caribbean entertainment media by 2014.
Today, the videos and photo gallery preserve both sides of the night: the preparation before Farmer Nappy reached the stage and the finished performance in front of the New York audience.
Event Details
Event: Farmer Nappy — Big People Party Official Album Release
Date: Sunday, April 13, 2014
Venue: S.O.B.’s
Address: 204 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014
Presented by: S.O.B.’s, Country Life Entertainment & FOX FUSE
Featured Artist: Farmer Nappy
Music By: Team Soca
Event Host: Dr. Jay
Admission: Free
Julianspromos Host: Sheniele “Vivaa” Dodson
Video: Shot and edited by Julian C. Hackett
Video Upload Date: May 5, 2014
