Golden year . . . Queen of Soca Alison Hinds celebrates 50

Queen of Soca and Cultural Ambassador Alison Hinds celebrated her 50th birthday on Monday. She was joined by thousands of adoring friends, fans and followers on social media.

Earlier that morning, the birthday girl had posted on both her Facebook and Instagram accounts: “Today I got up and gave thanks… another year around the sun, another chapter to explore, another chance to evolve into something more. I’ll try to respond to as many texts, calls, emails and video messages as I can today. I won’t reach everyone, but I appreciate the outpouring of love so much. Thank you!”

Later in the day, a video which featured top stars from around the Caribbean was circulating. It was used to outpour birthday blessings on the entertainer.

Those featured in video were: Destra Garcia, Dwayne Bravo, thunda_wussways, lilnattywusswayzsoca, Lyrical, Corey Garrett, Mapy Violinist, Lashley Motto Winter, Patrice Roberts Music, Perception Management, Ravi B & KARMA, Jerome Rome Precilla, Shaggy, Shenseea, Stonebwoy, Voice, Peter Yellaafrican Ram, King Bubba FM, Square One, Anderson Armstrong, Terry Arthur, Cecil Riley, Cecil Gilkes & Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.

Alison posted it, thanking Perception Management for pulling it together.

Her post read: “#aligram My team… found a way… to dip behind my back and create this amazing gift for me. This is FANTASTIC, I love this, thank you so much!❤️❤️❤️ THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!”

Efforts by Bajan Vibes to reach Alison directly proved futile.

Throughout the day, loved ones posted as the queen celebrated her golden year.

George Jones: A very short fairy tale. Once upon a time, on this day 50 years ago a future female legend was born, but before fulfilling that assignment she would set out on a journey where she “dared to dream”. She is the beautiful, cute, shy, young 16-year-old kid I met 34 years ago and who has been a part of my life ever since. Over the past decade, she has been one of the principal players in my journey to health recovery and for that I’m eternally grateful 🙏. So on this momentous occasion I extend the happiest of birthdays 🎂🍷🍻to my “little sister Cultural Ambassador”, Soca Queen, Empress Alison Hinds. Wishing you continued success and God’s richest blessings on you and your loved ones. 🥂Cheers to many more years🥂. [Edited]

Terry Mexican Arthur: Happy 50th Birthday. A … (a Big One) Have a Wonderful day. Wishing you many more, may you also continue to take our Music and our Culture to the World. No Boundaries!!! … Happy Birthday, enjoy your Special day.

Edwin Yearwood: Happy birthday to the undisputed queen of soca! ALISON HINDS! Enjoy your day, sistren!

National Cultural Foundation: Happy 50th Birthday to Barbados’ Soca Queen and Cultural Ambassador Alison Hinds!

Jon Doe: Haaaaaaaaappii birthday to the Queen of Soca, the one and only Alison Hinds!!!It’s my honor to call this lady my friend – we go waaaaayyyyyy back like a receding hairline… and then some!! Have an awesome day, Ali.

Soca Truck: Soca Famalay aka Soca Truck Cph wishing Alison Hinds HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY as the Caribbean Queen of Soca celebrates her big day Live on Instagram.

Caribbean Entertainment Hub: CEH will love to wish Alison Hinds, The Caribbean Queen of Soca Music, a happy, happy, happy birthday.

CanaBajan Beach: Happy birthday to the Soca Queen Ms Alison Hinds!!

KUO Magazine: Happy Birthday to Alison Hinds, The Caribbean Queen! Wishing you a wonderful, blessed and fabulous day.

Bazodee: Happy Birthday to the Bajan Soca Queen, Alison Hinds.

Alison was crowned the undisputed Queen of Soca by fans worldwide. Her powerful, emotional vocals and high-energy live shows are legendary in Caribbean music. Her musical journey has taken her throughout the Caribbean and the diaspora worldwide.

Alison competed in the Richard Stoute Teen Talent Competition in 1987, finishing third and subsequently joined the band Square One later that year as lead vocalist until 2004. She won the Barbados Song Contest in 1992 as part of a duet with John King, now MP and current Minister of Culture, Creative Economy and Sport.

Alison has received many accolades throughout the years, including Winner of the Best Female Vocalist in 2009 & 2010 and Female Entertainer of the Year & Best Collaboration for King and Queen with Richie Spice at the Barbados Music Awards in 2010.

At the 14th Annual Caribbean American Heritage Award in Washington DC, she was awarded for her Outstanding Contribution to Soca Music as an icon of the ‘girl’s power’ movement and the most recognised female in soca music.

On October 2, 2013, Alison was chosen as one of the key influencers in Barbados to participate in top fashion designer Michael Kors, the Watch Hunger Stop campaign and later that month Alison took part in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Cancer Walk, in Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York.

Alison was awarded the Cultural Ambassador designation on January 7, 2018 for her consistently outstanding work in a genre of the art, for exhibiting a demonstrably high quality of performance in the view of regional and international observers and for her proud representation of Barbados at every opportunity.

Alison is a vital element on the Caribbean music scene and a significant force in the eruption of innovative urban-influenced Caribbean-based music.

More recently, Alison has taken to the big screen showing off her acting ability. Alison Hinds is an actress, known for Two Smart (2014), and Battledream Chronicles: A New Beginning (2018). The most successful film she has been a part of is Joseph (2020) which premiered in Ghana last year and Barbados in February. (IMC)