D’Enforcas International Ambassadors of Caribbean Music

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

It was like any other night. The walls were sweating from the heat being generated on the dance floor. All you could see was the sea of bodies, all moving to the same beat. The walls pulsating, and the cry for more continues to resonate. Watching the crowd, you know what is going to happen next; the commander of the dance floor is about to take the sea of bodies and bring them crashing to shore. Through the mist, the raised arms, the winding hips, the bottles of Heineken, and water, you see a raised stage, and on this stage, you see the individuals responsible for the movement. There stand two men: Bass Line – the Founder the Voice, and Marly – Mixologist, and Dancehall Specialist; the award-winning, jet setting Dj Crew, that without a doubt, are the most influential sound in the International Caribbean Music Scene. Toronto Caribbean Newspaper presents, men who continue to show how classic they really are, D’ENFORCAS.

“I wish I kept that first mix; it was terrible!” Marly Marl

They never knew that 25 years later, they would be standing together, Kings in their own right, and so down to earth, you would never know that they had played on the same stage with great performers including Beyonce, Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo, Ryan Leslie, Trey Songz, Ciara, Nas, Beenie Man, Ace Hood, Fat Man Scoop, Barrington Levy and many more. D’Enforcas have been recognized internationally for producing some of the most dynamic remixes inspired from some of the biggest soca artists in the world; names including Michael Montano, Bunji Garlin, Fay-ann Lyons, Iwer George, Umi Marcano, and Shal Marshall.

To understand the magic, you have to understand the source. Marlin – known to most of the world as Marly Marl – has a musical background that laid the groundwork for his success. Anyone who is a true fan of the soca culture will know who Marlin’s father is. He is the original Soca King ‘Bad Lad’ Ian Gould, who grew up with an uncle who led Timothy’s Orchestra and used to hang out with the late Billy Reece, one of the leading DJ’s in Trinidad and Tobago in the 60’s. Like all other nicknames, it’s genesis was so significant that it stuck; Dj ‘Bad Lad’ was coined after a party promoter Ian Wiltshire of Island Style Entertainment, created a flyer with the headline, ‘Bad Lad from Trinidad’. In many ways, Marlin, and Ed – also known as Bassline- have a relationship similar to one that Dj Bad Lad had with former Trinidad & Tobago sprinter Carl Archer who formed a partnership over 35 years ago. It is interesting how a legacy can follow a family and no surprise that Marlin followed in his father’s footsteps.

Marlin recalls at a younger age watching his father play for crowds of people; he remembers how happy these people seemed, and he knew that he wanted to become part of that happiness. Marlin didn’t realize at the time, that his life was going to run parallel to the life of his father’s. In another part of the GTA, Ed (Bassline) had begun to feel this same love for soca music and had decided to start a Dj crew with his friend Lester (Strika). Their meeting was like a cosmic intervention; Ed had actually started buying music from Marlin’s dad, and this is how the great fusion occurred. Marlin had been testing the waters with being a Dj, and when he met Ed and Lester, it felt right; and just like that the D’enforcas were born.

Marlin recalls the very first mix that he ever made, “We were driving in the car on the way to New York, and I played my first mix. I wish I kept it; it was terrible.” This did not deter them, it actually catapulted them; it made them find ways in which to improve, and this need to grow allowed them to transition from one stage to another in the music scene.

“I knew we had made it the first time a promoter paid for us to fly somewhere.” Ed (Bassline)

After solidifying their sound, D’enforcas went on to play a very successful university circuit for 10 years. Anyone who went to a Windsor Sports Weekend will remember the early days of D’enforcas. Their university circuit brought them all over Ontario and marked a great introduction for them into the music scene. Of course, that was only the beginning, and they have continued to prove why they are the very best. Their next stop was the local and international urban scene, which they conquered with no resistance. Some of their popular nightclub and venue visits include: The Guvernment (Toronto), Roseland Ballroom (NYC), 1234 Club (Montreal), Coconut Grove (Miami), Cable Beach Casino (The Bahamas), Capital Music Hall (Ottawa), and we can’t forget The Docks/Sound Academy (Toronto). In 2012, D’enforcas were asked to join the World’s Best DJ Crew – The Heavy Hitters Family – created by the legendary Dj Enuff from New York (tour Dj of Notorious B.I.G), making them the first Dj’s in Canada, and the first soca Dj’s in the world to receive this honor.

These two brothers seem unstoppable and have successfully dabbled in other areas of entertainment including event promotion, hosting, corporate events, and their own radio show both local and internationally. When asked if they would retire, they both responded with a resounding, “NO!” “We do it for the love of the music, and we will continue to evolve.” Their advice to the younger generation of Dj’s; “Stick to your vision, ignore the haters!” This is just the beginning for the talented duo; they are constantly looking to raise the level of love for the soca culture, with the ultimate goal of contributing appreciation for soca music worldwide.

You are both the epitome of what is classic in the world of soca music. Toronto Caribbean Newspaper proudly salutes the Kings of the dance floor.