Alison Hinds

Infobox musical artist
Name = Alison Hinds


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Background = solo_singer
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Born = birth date and age|1970|6|1
London, England
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Origin = Barbados
Genre = Soca,
Occupation = Musician
Years_active = 1986-present
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Associated_acts = Square One
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Alison Hinds (born 1 June 1970) is a British female soca artist based in the Caribbean island of Barbados.

She is one of the most popular soca singers in the world and has unofficially been given the nickname the "Queen of Soca". She has produced many popular songs that top charts even in countries which do not widely listen to soca.

Early life

Alison Hinds was born in London, England. At the age of 11 Hinds' mother and father separated, after which Hinds and her mother moved back to their hometown in Barbados, where she continued to live until today. In 1986, Alison Hinds joined the soca band Square One. At first this band performed mostly in bars and clubs, but later they became a top Soca band, bringing soca to a new level. Alison produced her first hit in the year 1996, "Ragamuffin". That song made her win road march of that year during the Barbados' Crop Over Festival. The following year she repeated road march and also won The Party Monarch with another hit "Twister". Alison was the first woman to ever win these titles in Barbados. This led to Hinds' role as the lead singer in the band. Next, Square One created an album called "Full Bloom". This album took over the Caribbean. It included the song "Faluma", which was the top song in the Caribbean for the period of 1999-2000. It topped the charts of Guatemala for 49 weeks. It was during this period that Hinds' popularity grew. Square One continued to produce hits until 2004 when it broke up - partly due to Hinds' departure. Alison Hinds is known as the undisputed Queen of Soca.

Today

Currently Alison Hinds lives with her family, husband Edward Walcott and daughter Saharan (born May 4th, 2004), on a privately owned horse farm, which her husband manages, in Barbados. She has her own band, "The Alison Hinds Show". This band was formed in 2005 when Hinds returned to the soca scene with the hit song "Roll It Gyal" which is an anthem for young women and encourages them to have pride in themselves. In 2006 the song was still popular throughout the region. Hinds is the main singer and most of the members of the band are young dancers and musicians. She also produced a song called "Love Affair". Since she returned to music she has recorded a collaboration with Machel Montano for the remix of "Roll It Gyal".

Alison's new album soca queen was released on the 22nd October 2007

Performances

Hinds is popular for her live performances and raggamuffin style and sometimes calls men to the stage for winning competitions.

"'=Hits=

Alison Hinds most popular songs are Ragamuffin, aye Aye Aye, Twister, Faluma, Togetherness, DJ Ride, Sweetest Wine, Iron Bazodee, Fireworks, Roll It Gal and Love Affair."

Discography

Albums

*2007: "Soca Queen"

ingles

*"Roll It Gal" (2005 Barbados, 2007 UK)

ee also

* List of Bajans

External links

* [http://www.alisonhinds.com/frame.php] - Alison Hinds website
* [http://www.bajantube.com/play.php?vid=229 Alison Hinds - Roll Music Video]
* [http://www.myspace.com/alisonhinds Alison Hinds on MySpace.com]
* [http://www.jouvay.com/interviews/alisonhinds.html Interview with Alison Hinds]
* [http://www.calypsonians.com/calypsonians_bio.php?stage_name_id=35 Calypsonians.com - Alison Hinds]
* [http://bajanfuhlife.com/Music/Artist%20Profiles/Alison.htm/ Bajan culture and Entertainment]