Bunji Garlin Bio

Known to many as the “Viking of Soca,” Bunji Garlin has taken the genre to new heights. His explosive single "Differentology (Ready For The Road)," which was remixed by Major Lazer as well as Busta Rhymes, is currently a massive hit in North America more than a year after its release in the Caribbean. In 2013, the single received a Soul Train Award win for Best International Performance, was featured on ABC's Grey's Anatomy, won NYC’s HOT 97 FM’s Battle of The Beats competition and chosen by NPR as one of the year's favorite anthems, as well as MTV Iggy's Song of the Year. 

On May 1, 2014, Bunji Garlin made his national TV debut on BET's 106 & Park to perform his hit. He will return to New York City area on June 1, 2014 to take over the main stage on Hot 97's Summer Jam concert, followed by a day of promotional activities for "Differentology (Ready For The Road)."

Born Ian Alvarez, Bunji Garlin is known for his high-energy stage shows, lyrical confidence and eloquence. The Trinidadian artist and international soca royalty is both a composer and performer of soca and ragga soca. The latter is a blend of soca with dancehall music that he made his own during the start of his career in the late ‘90s. He has won the “Ragga Soca Monarch” competition in both 2000 and 2001, the Young King title in 2001, the coveted title of International Soca Monarch in 2002 and then reclaimed this title for three more years. Bunji Garlin recently unleashed his new EP Carnival Tabanca and will release his upcoming studio album later this year. His anticipated release will be his first full-length release since 2007’s Global (VP Records).