Video Premiere: “Jiggy AF” by John Orpheus

Hot on the heels of his previous mixtape Goldchain Hennessey, Toronto soul singer and rapper John Orpheus returns to his Trinidadian roots with BACCHANAL, a mixtape steeped in Caribbean slang and West African rhythms.

The lead off single “JIGGY AF” goes deeper into Caribbean culture, employing the infamous “Bookshelf” Jamaican dancehall riddim and allowing Orpheus to move deftly between Caribbean and American slang in a way familiar to all diaspora kids. Its bridge sums up the attitude of an artist at the top of his game and comfortable in his skin: “We don’t give a damn what de people say!”

“Trini culture is made up of soca energy, carnival, partying, colourful pageants, accents and sexy people feting, which pretty much describes a lot of my style,” Orpheus says. “So making BACCHANAL feels natural. As a teenager I just wanted to fit in so I tried to hide my accent, not listen to reggae and soca or do anything people might find unusual. But the more comfortable I am in my skin the more comfortable I am expressing my heritage.” -John Orpheus