Caesar’s Army patrons whipped out wet TT and USD bills to pay Ragga Soca singer,  Bunji Garlin (Ian Alvarez) to pull up and restart his hit song, “Hard Fete” during his performance at the “Bacchanal Blocko” held at the Hasely Crawford Stadium yesterday morning. Fans of the artiste and the song continue to demonstrate their affection for both in different ways throughout the season: from taking the microphone and singing Bunji’s verse word for word at a recent event, to now volunteering to pay for repeat renditions with cash in hand.

Passionate fans believe “Hard Fete” can win this year’s Road March title and just last week, Bunji said while onstage at St Mary’s all-inclusive fete that he had finally been convinced to register the song for the competition, which is judged based on the number of plays each entry receives at various judging points around the country.

Taking the stage around 8 am, Bunji received a warm welcome, even though the previous performers, namely: Devon “Lyrikal” Martin and the Grenadian duo now known as “Wussways” had already smashed the audience with their distinctive voices, high-energy deliveries, and antics. Not to be outdone,  Martin also rode into the centre of the audience, while being held up by loyal fans from the crowd. However, Bunji’s potent delivery, flow and lyrics on the beat were all he needed to demonstrate, as the Caesar’s Army assembly took hold of “Hard Fete” and made it their own, which is generally a good sign for a Road March contender.
After leaving the venue, Bunji also posted a video on his IG page complaining that he had come prepared to be colored up with paint and powder, but had not received his colors. He said:
“I had a time in Bacchanal Blocko this morning, real vibes, though it was 8 in the morning, people was just soaked and if you see them in all kinds of colors – and yet, I am here to make a complaint: I was born in Trinidad and Tobago, you know. I love Carnival and Carnival is rooted in me. I came dressed in a particular way, I was all up on the fence and still, look at me…”
Dressed in white shorts, Alvarez barely got a few yellow dots of paint on them to account for his experience, hence his stated complaint. Although partly jesting, Bunji’s grievance is scheduled to be aired and avenged today (Sunday) at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, as the Caesar’s Army faithful gather for the final installment of the Bacchanalia Festival weekend, the Bacchanal Road experience from 2 – 8 pm.