"Differentology" is a song by Trinidadian singer and songwriter
Bunji Garlin
Ian Antonio Alvarez (born July 14, 1978), better known by his stage name Bunji Garlin, is a Trinidadian ragga soca artist. He is also affectionately known as the Viking of Soca. His spouse is Fay-Ann Lyons.
Early life
Bunji was born on July 1 ...
. "Differentology" was released by Sheriff Music on November 7, 2012, as one of the first of Garlin's offerings for the 2013 Carnival season in
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago (, ), officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean. Consisting of the main islands Trinidad and Tobago, and numerous much smaller islands, it is situated south of ...
. The song was written by Garlin, and produced by Keron Thompson. Garlin stated that the song came to him while in an impromptu session with the guitarist.
The track was remixed by
Major Lazer
Major Lazer is an American electronic dance music DJ trio, which includes record producer Diplo, and DJs Walshy Fire and Ape Drums. It originates from Kingston, Jamaica, and was founded in 2008 by Diplo and Switch, with Switch leaving after t ...
for their free EP ''Lazers Never Die'' Vol. 4.
"Differentology" was well received by soca music fans and critics alike. The song peaked at number 9 on the ''iTunes'' World Music Chart, and the exact download numbers have not yet been published.
A music video for "Differentology" was filmed in February 2013, directed and edited by Nigel Thompson (Black Ice Studios).
The song has been featured in an episode of
ABC
ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet.
ABC or abc may also refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting
* American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster
** Disney–ABC Television ...
network's ''
Grey's Anatomy
''Grey's Anatomy'' is an American medical drama television series that premiered on March 27, 2005, on ABC as a mid-season replacement. The series focuses on the lives of surgical interns, residents, and attendings as they develop into se ...
'' and in the NBC arena.
During the
2019 Canadian federal election
The 2019 Canadian federal election was held on October 21, 2019. Member of Parliament (Canada), Members of the House of Commons of Canada, House of Commons were elected to the 43rd Canadian Parliament. In keeping with the Fixed election dates in ...
, the song was used heavily by
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party (NDP; french: Nouveau Parti démocratique, NPD) is a federal political party in Canada. Widely described as social democratic,The party is widely described as social democratic:
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leader
Jagmeet Singh
Jagmeet Singh Jimmy Dhaliwal ( ; born January 2, 1979) is a Canadian politician who has served as the leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) since 2017. Singh has sat as the member of Parliament (MP) for Burnaby South since 2019.Slam 100.5 FM'' before his concert on February 7, 2013, Garlin said that the song came to him during an impromptu session in the studio with guitarist Nigel Rojas.
Composition
"Differentology" has been described as a "Latin jazz infused soca ode to Carnival." The song is a call to music fans especially fans of Carnival and has a repetitive beat that becomes a hook, inviting you to be "ready for de road" at Carnival time. Its lyrics are naturally rhythmic and rhyming like many of Garlin's compositions. The song's unique appeal comes from the rhythmic beat that runs through it and the masterful guitar accompaniment, all embellished by Garlin's powerful and commanding vocals.
Critical reception
Individual songs released for Carnival generally do not get critiqued extensively; however, "Differentology" was one of the few songs that merited many interviews and several articles in the local media in Trinidad and Tobago. A line in the song, "...and the crowd now waking up" was misheard by many and taken to be "and the cow now waking up". This phrase became well known among
locals
Locals Technology Inc., also referred to as locals.com, is a creator crowdfunding site cofounded by Dave Rubin and Assaf Lev. It started in 2019 and is based in Miami.
The site was founded after Rubin and Jordan Peterson left Patreon in response ...
and has spawned a few parody accounts on popular social networks.
Differentology was nominated for Best International Performance in the 2013 Soul Train Awards.Justin Dwayne Joseph "Four Soul Train Awards Categories To Be Decided By Online Voting" Centric, 19 September 2013.
The song also won the Hot 97 Battle of the Beats Competition. Unanimously out voting the likes of
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III (born October 17, 1972), known professionally as Eminem (; often stylized as EMINƎM), is an American rapper and record producer. He is credited with popularizing hip hop in middle America and is critically acclai ...
,
No Malice
Gene Elliott Thornton Jr. (born August 18, 1972), better known by his stage name No Malice (formerly known as Malicious and later Malice), is an American rapper from Virginia Beach, Virginia. He is best known for being one half of hip hop duo C ...
,
DJ Khaled
Khaled Mohammed Khaled (born November 26, 1975), known professionally as DJ Khaled, is an American DJ, record executive, record producer and rapper.
Khaled first gained recognition as a radio host in the 1990s on the radio station WEDR, 99 Ja ...
and
August Alsina
August Anthony Alsina Jr.(April 8, 2013)R&B Singer August Alsina Talks Working With The Dream, Preps Def Jam Debut, ''Life + Times'' (confirms middle name; other sources confirm he is a "junior") (born September 3, 1992) is an American singer f ...
.
Music video
A music video for "Differentology" was released on May 17, 2013. The music video was directed by Nigel Thompson (Black Ice Studios Ltd). Most of the scenery was filmed in February 2013. The video features Garlin in Viking gear and other costumed masqueraders. Garlin tweeted pictures from the video shoot during filming. At least one other scene was still to be filmed after the first days of filming.
A music video for "Differentology (Major Lazer Remix)" was shot during the Major Lazer Concert held in Trinidad and Tobago on September 23, 2013. The video was directed and edited by Aaron Richards (ADR Productions).
Awards
2013 – Soul Train Award for Best International Performance.
This Soul Train Award category is one of four in which the winner is chosen by fan votes.
Cover
No cover versions of "Differentology" have been officially released; however, there is at least one video on YouTube.
Live performances
During the 2013 Carnival season in Trinidad, Garlin performed "Differentology" many times, in most appearances opening his act with the song and then closing with it at the end of his set. He usually introduced the phenomenal guitarist Nigel Rojas with whom he collaborated and who performed with him at those events.
Garlin is expected to continue performing the song at many international concerts as is customary for many
soca
Soca or SOCA may refer to:
Places
* Soča, a river in Slovenia and Italy
* Soča, Bovec, Slovenia
* Cayenne – Félix Eboué Airport, by ICAO code
* Soca, a village in Banloc Commune, Timiș County, Romania
* SoCa, Southern California
Other u ...
artists at the end of the
Carnival
Carnival is a Catholic Christian festive season that occurs before the liturgical season of Lent. The main events typically occur during February or early March, during the period historically known as Shrovetide (or Pre-Lent). Carnival typi ...
season in
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago (, ), officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean. Consisting of the main islands Trinidad and Tobago, and numerous much smaller islands, it is situated south of ...
.
Usage in popular culture
* The
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party (NDP; french: Nouveau Parti démocratique, NPD) is a federal political party in Canada. Widely described as social democratic,The party is widely described as social democratic:
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used "Differentology" as their
campaign song
Campaign songs are songs used by candidates or political campaigns. Most modern campaign songs are upbeat popular songs or original compositions that articulate a positive message about a campaign or candidate, usually appealing to patriotism, o ...
during the
2019 Canadian federal election
The 2019 Canadian federal election was held on October 21, 2019. Member of Parliament (Canada), Members of the House of Commons of Canada, House of Commons were elected to the 43rd Canadian Parliament. In keeping with the Fixed election dates in ...
.
Track listings and formats
;''Upon Differentology''
*04. "Differentology" – 4:20
*08. "Differentology" – 5:00
;''Ready For the Road'' – EP "Ready For the Road - EP" iTunes Preview.
*01. "Differentology" – 4:20
*02. "Differentology" – 5:00
*03. "Carnival Tabanca" – 3:49
*04. "Carnival Tabanca" – 4:32
*05. "Truck On D Road" – 3:23
*06. "Red Light District" – 4:09
Personnel
* Lyrics and vocals by
Bunji Garlin
Ian Antonio Alvarez (born July 14, 1978), better known by his stage name Bunji Garlin, is a Trinidadian ragga soca artist. He is also affectionately known as the Viking of Soca. His spouse is Fay-Ann Lyons.
Early life
Bunji was born on July 1 ...
* Spanish guitarist: Nigel Rojas
* Producer: Keron "Sheriff" Thompson
* Distribution and marketing: Jarrod Faria