Dis Is Rick delivers epic night of soca, stars, and pure energy

By Tracy Moore

It began as a steady pulse at 9:00 p.m. last Saturday — a gathering crowd, a few DJs warming up the waistlines, and the buzz of anticipation rippling through the air. But by the time the clock struck 11:35 p.m., the pulse had exploded into a full-blown soca frenzy as thousands packed into the Philip Balgrove Training Turf venue for one of Crop Over’s most anticipated annual events: Dis Is Rick.

The man himself, Lil Rick, hit the stage not just as a performer but as the heart of a musical experience that mixed tribute, revelry, and raw talent into a night that pulsed until the early morning hours.

From the moment Rick stepped on stage, it was clear this was no ordinary show. With the command as a 30-year veteran and the enthusiasm of an artist on debut, he kicked off the first segment teasing with his new hit Call 911 before launching into hits like Blessing, I Like Muhself, Girls Gone Wild and Sugar Lump to name a few in that session, backed by a thunderous crowd that knew every word to every song.

But Rick wasn’t here to just perform. He curated a night that spanned generations of beloved Caribbean music. With precision and pride, he invited a lineup of soca heavyweights and rising stars to share the stage — transforming the event into a high-energy, multi-artist showcase.

RPB sang fan favourites.

Fan favourites like Red Plastic Bag (RPB) had the audience in a singalong trance with songs like Spontaneous and Boat Ride. Then came a powerful moment of reflection — a tribute to the late Alvin “Soca Superman” Toppin, where silence fell across the crowd just past midnight. That emotional pause made the celebration that followed even more profound.

Nikita was among those who brought female power to the show.

From the return of Gorg and sweet singalongs from Pic-O-De Crop finalist Coppa Dan to back-to-back sets from Nikita, Summa, and Sprinklezzz, the stage stayed hot. Edwin Yearwood shifted the tone with smoother grooves and amazing vocals before teasing fans with his 2025 single Best Night before hitting the thousand with favourites like Yardie, Sak Passe, Chrissening. Every set had purpose, every artist brought their essence.

Mikey and Alison Hinds performed their collaboration, Show Me Love.

Peter Ram electrified with Good Morning before flinging in some old dub rhythm then introduced the crowd to his brand-new Fat Pork. Alison Hinds, dressed in commanding black leather, reminded everyone why she remains the undisputed Caribbean Queen of Soca with Faluma, before teaming up with the Prince of Pace, Mikey, for a vibrant performance of Show Me Love that had the masses waving in unison before Mikey took over and it was pure waistline featuring the grass skirt posse.

By 1:43 a.m., the regional stars took command: Kewin Dubois, Nailah Blackman, and Yung Bredda brought their own flavour to the stage, with Yung Bredda getting closer to the crowd during a rendition of Stand By Me, before bringing out his surprise guest Fadda Fox to debut their song, Hello Mr. Badmind.

The bashment soca segment kicked in hard with performances by King Bubba, Shanta Prince, Tionne, Faith and Marzville — the latter offering a soulful gospel tribute to Alvin that moved the crowd to applause.

Faith was among those who performed in the Bashment soca segment.

Grenadian duo Natty & Thunda ensured the energy never dipped, bringing full Jab Jab chaos at 3:20 a.m. Not to be outdone were the gentlemen swooners Grateful Co, Shaquille and Hypasound, with Azizi Clarke.

Then it was the return of Bajan Bashment — a final wave of high-octane unity. Jordan English, Mole, Leadpipe & Saddis, Bruce Lee Almighty, and others surged onto stage, weaving hit after hit in a sequence that felt more like a soca Avengers assemble than a set list.

The Grand Finale saw Rick returned not just as a headliner but as a mentor, standing shoulder to shoulder with the next generation. As the night ended with the full Call 911 it was ironic as the Barbados Police Service eyed the clock. But the crowd refused to lose energy as Dis Is Rick 2025 came to a close at 4:15 a.m. nearly six hours of uninterrupted rhythm, memory, and cultural power. Dis Is Rick wasn’t just a party — it was a pilgrimage. And Rick? He’s not just a host. He’s the godfather of a movement.