About the Hosts – Richie, Ashley & Jel
Richard (Richie) Ramsundar, Ashley Baynes and Jelani (Jel) Roberts are the NY based, multi-Caribbean Heritage hosts of Di Soca Analysts. Richie represents Guyana; Ashley represents Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago; and Jel represents Trinidad & Tobago.
In addition to being podcast hosts, Richie is a videographer & photographer; Ashley works in sales support and Jel is an international Soca DJ aka DJ Jel.
Why did you decide to get started in podcasting?
Richie: I noticed there was a lack of conversations about Caribbean culture and Soca music. We wanted to have those conversations that people could relate to.
Ashley:To educate people on the Caribbean & the culture.
Jel: There was a serious gap in the podcasts that catered to West Indian/Caribbean people. I felt that there are topics important to us in the diaspora.
How does the team manage the partnership of being co-hosts? What systems do you have in place?
Well, it’s definitely not easy. It’s very challenging with schedules, our team each has their own jobs, family & other aspects of life to take care of. However, our team knows how to prioritize and make time for anything that needs to be done, including the podcast. Thanks to our shared WhatsApp group and Trello board there’s a sense of organization. We meet pretty frequently and invest in planning so it’s not too bad.
About the Show
Di Soca Analysts share their perspectives on Soca music, Caribbean culture and events. The show is available monthly on the first Monday of the month. See their directory profile for more details of where to listen.
Why did you choose this name & format?
We chose this name because we wanted to create a channel to talk and analyze Soca music. The format allowed us to remain authentic yet provide useful insight to those in our community.
How did you decide to become co-hosts?
We became co-hosts because we were Soca lovers that shared the same values. We met online after discussing issues that were personal to us.
Who are the members of the team that aren’t heard on the show?
Kendrix who represents Haiti and Quevaughn who represents Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago.
Now that you’ve launched your show, what are you hoping to accomplish?
We want people to look to us as thought leaders and as collaborators. We want people to come to us for anything Caribbean. We want to grow our platform into a community. We hope to give a voice to West-Indians in the diaspora and those globally. We pray that we are able to grow our fan base and encourage serious conversation as it relates to our culture.
Podcast Experience
What’s one tip you learned before you started podcasting that was really helpful?
Richie: Learning how to keep the conversation natural was the best tip I learned.
Ashley: Not not worry about how I sound or look, just be my authentic self.
Jel: Authenticity is key. People value when you are really honest and when you are yourself.
What’s one thing you wish you knew before starting your podcast? Or one resource you wish you had before launching
Richie: Definitely a studio. The sound quality is so much better in an actual studio with mics.
Ashley: More knowledge of the editing process.
Jel: A studio to film and record.
I think that our team does a great job but there’s always room for improvement, especially since we want to do our best to represent West Indians in the diaspora.
What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself or your audience since you started?
Richie: I’ve learned that Caribbean people truly do listen to us and want us to continue having conversations.
Ashley: That I’m not the only person that has gone through some of the experiences I’ve encountered.
Jel: I learned that there is a market for what we do and that we should encourage more discussion and advocacy for West-Indians in the diaspora. We are very powerful as a whole and I think that we need to do a better job at unifying or power as a people.
What/Who has inspired you the most to start a podcast?
Richie: Taxstone.
Ashley: The lack of knowledge people outside of the Caribbean community have.
Jel: Gary Vee – Gary Vaynerchuck. He’s a marketing genius and I appreciated how authentic his content wa
What’s the first podcast you ever listened to?
Richie: Taxstone’s Tax Season
Ashley: Gordon Firemark Podcast on Media Law
Jel: Gary Vee
Other than your show what are some of your favorite podcasts?
Richie: Taxstone’s Tax Season, No such thing as a fish
Ashley: Whoreable Decisions & Angela Yee’s Lip Service
Jel: Gary Vee, Soca Therapy Sessions- Dr. Jay, Shep Beats and Konata – AMPED
What do you enjoy most about podcasting?
Richie: I love how genuine the conversations are
Ashley: Speaking on topics that I feel passionate about
Jel: Talking about things that I’m passionate about. It’s very rare I would get a platform to do s
What do enjoy least about podcasting?
Richie: Listening to the entire conversation again and having to edit
Ashley: The editing process
Jel: The editing
What are looking forward to/hope to see in the podcasting space?
Richie: I hope that our podcast platform inspires others to share their feelings and talk more about Caribbean culture
Ashley: More subscribers & podcasting becoming more popular.
Jel: More resources for content creators
Fun Questions
What is the 1 thing from your Caribbean culture that you cannot do without?
Richie: Soca music
Ashley: Soca
Jel: Soca Music – I eat, breathe and sleep Soca.
For each team member which Soca Song best represents their personality
Richie: People by Kes the Band
Ashley: Soca Kingdom by Machel & Super Blue
Jel: Allez- Teddyson John (This is my theme song in life)
Share a fun fact about the team
We all met online and found out we all have mutual friends in real life. Also, each member of our team comes from a very different background. We each have something unique to bring to the table.
Conclusion
Where do you see yourself in the next 6 months to a year?
Encouraging more guests and soca artists on our podcast. Growing our content team and consistently putting out oc
Where can the listeners find you?
Di Soca Analysts – Website
Ashley: Instagram