Showdown: The best of Alison and Patrice

SOCA lovers can look forward to hearing the best of Alison Hinds and Patrice Roberts. The singers will showcase their wide repertoires in a virtual concert called Showdown on Wednesday.

There are countless hits between them; Faluma, Roll it Gal, West Indian, Sugar Boy, Carry On and Sweet Fuh Days to name a few.

It will be streamed on Digicel’s Facebook page and its DMusic app from 8 pm. Digicel is the event’s title sponsor.

Hinds said in a phone interview the event came about through her management team, Perception Management. She said a conversation happened after seeing the various Verzuz battles. Verzuz is an American webcast series created by American producers Timbaland and Swizz Beatz.

“They felt that it would be good to do something on our side of things, on the soca genre. So Perception went ahead and put together a proposal and reached out to various sponsors.”

Hinds said people were receptive and the sponsors that came on board were receptive to the idea of the Showdown.

The management team reached out to Roberts and she was definitely interested, she added.

Roberts was humbled by the fact that Hinds wanted to do the showcase with her.

She said in WhatsApp responses to Newsday, “When my team and I were approached by Alison and her team I was humbled. Alison is a veteran and has assisted in paving the way for women in the industry. She has been flying the flag for soca all over the world and has done and is still doing an amazing job.”

Hinds was someone Roberts paid close attention to when she began her musical career and she “absolutely admires her.”

Both Hinds and Roberts said fans can look forward to entertainment, fun and love. Hinds said there is going to be some good-natured ribbing in-between but it was mainly about the best of Roberts and herself.

Hinds said the team wanted to ensure that it gives a high-quality presentation and so “it is through Digicel we are going to be able to link each other.

“That Patrice and I can see and hear each other with the boosted service from Digicel. We are very thankful for that so that we can have a secure and stable system to be able to link with each other in real time.”

Hinds has had great pleasure in watching Roberts as a young performer become the much more poised and confident woman that is seen today.

Many entertainers have had to turn to the virtual platform because of the covid19 pandemic.

For Roberts, a virtual platform poses connectivity challenges as one is unable to share the energy of fans nor touch or see their smiling faces while on stage but it also enables an individual to view a performance anywhere in the world unless there are special restrictions.

While for Hinds performing virtually is different and a challenge, it is one that she is willing and has stepped up to.

Digicel’s TT Head of Public Relations Colin Greaves said since the start of the pandemic, Digicel has been supporting the creative industries by providing virtual entertainment experiences across its digital platforms.

“Following the success of the Beenie Man and Bounty Killer Verzuz battle, our team became excited exploring how we can provide a similar platform for soca music. Then came the idea for this showdown, via a proposal, from Perception Management – the producers of the event. Digicel quickly jumped on board in support as title sponsor,” he said.

It is also sponsored by Hilton Barbados Resort, Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre and the National Cultural Foundation Barbados.