Jab Jab in We Soca—That Is We Thing with Alix “Sandman” Aird
by Lou-Ann Jordan Aug 9, 2021
Soca might have originated in Trinidad and Tobago, but today soca belongs to everyone. It is ‘all ah we’ Caribbean people, music.
Throughout the islands, each country has injected its local flavour into the genre, personalising it for its people. In Grenada, one man who has left an inimitable stamp on the music is our very own Alix “Sandman” Aird.
Wearing several caps, singer, songwriter and music producer, Aird is known for having created Jab Jab soca. Playing skillfully with traditional soca beats, Alix created a languid rhythm layered with unconventional sounds, like the dragging of chains.
In deep, mystifying tones, he added to the new tempo enthralling stories featuring the legendary Jab Jab character. Today, many other local and regional artistes imitate the elements of his superbly creative and distinctive style.
Yello met up with Alix to talk a little about his beginnings, contributions to Grenadian soca and work as a music producer.
What inspired the moniker “Sandman”?
I was at the beach one day, sitting in the sand. A tourist passing by accidentally tripped over my outstretched legs. She apologised by saying that I blended so well with the sand that she didn’t recognise my feet was in her way. It struck me, ‘Sandman’. I felt it was a suitable moniker for me to adopt. I had been in search of just the right sobriquet—one that depicted my ability to adapt to different musical genres the way sand conforms to its container.
What prompted you to get involved in the music industry, and also in soca as a performer?
When I was young, I was always keen on playing my favourite songs on the family piano. I guess this ongoing process provided me with an ear and understanding of music because I had no formal training on a piano.
My involvement sprang from those early beginnings. As I grew up, my musical interests were in rap and reggae. Back then, I wasn’t greatly exposed to soca, so I didn’t gravitate to it. Also, the fact that I had almost no rhythm didn’t make me any fonder of the genre. Eventually, my peers at secondary school encouraged me to give soca a try.
As a soca artiste, what is distinctive about your style?
My style is deep, dark and mystical. I enjoy the storytelling aspect of music, and I believe a dash of humour is always a welcomed ingredient.
Jab Jab is featured a lot in your music. Why?
I have always enjoyed our cultural lore. As a child, I used to look forward to hearing bedtime stories from my grandfather every night. Hearing his stories about mythical beings and what they did piqued my interest. To this day, Jab Jab evokes those memories, and interest resoundingly remains. I take great pleasure in sharing my interpretation of the sound of the menacingly, mysterious figure of the Jab Jab through my music.
The 2010 single, No Prisoners, brilliantly personified the Jab Jab character. Your flair for storytelling was enhanced by the controlled tempo and the incorporation of traditional instruments. How has No Prisoner influenced Grenadian soca?
No Prisoners was the first Jab Jab song that I recorded and produced. It received much acclaim because its ‘sound’ was very different from what was prevalent at the time. The song’s sluggish tempo, the deep, dark vocals, thought-inducing lyrics, as well as, the dragging chains and overall dark yet invigorating feel—was all new.
Truth be told, I had no idea what I was doing. At the time my musical tastes were heavily influenced by hip-hop, so that spilt over into the project and made it what it was. In terms of instrumentation, I wasn’t picky. While working on the song, I envisioned myself sitting in a graveyard—with vampires and werewolves. So, the dragging chains seemed to fit.
Today, I can identify significant traces of No Prisoners in several songs, including some huge hits; from its slow, chipping tempo to the phrase “black and greasy.” I’m honoured to have influenced our culture and intend to do so until my final exhale.
In what way does being a music producer enhance your work as a soca artiste?
No one knows what you’re thinking better than you do. As a music producer, I get to craft my music without feeling constrained artistically. As such, the end product is always what I want; it’s authentic—distinctly, me.
It’s natural for music to evolve, and as a music producer, you are centre stage to these changes. In what significant way is this year’s soca different from last year or two years ago?
The quality has definitely maintained its ascension. Artist and producers are taking music more seriously as they’ve come to witness how big of an impact Grenadian music has on the world. Also, lately, the songs that are getting out are more authentic to Grenada. I don’t hear as much external influences in our music, as I used to.
During the Spicemas Grenada is overrun with visitors, what experience would you recommend as a ‘must’ to a first time visitor to the island?
J’ouvert—all day, every day!
Visit Alix on Instagram @sandmanhd to learn more about his music and projects.