Razor Bladez has vowed to keep fungi music alive in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Facebook/File

Popular band the Razor Blades says while the band has been performing a variety of genres of music in the Virgin Islands, Fungi music will continue to be fused into their music style, to keep the cultural music relevant for a young generation. Photo: Facebook

During a band interview on the ‘Real Talk’ show with host Karia J. Christopher, band manager and lead singer Aaron F. Parillon (2nd left) said there is no challenge in keeping fungi alive, despite the band’s focus on multiple genres. Photo: Facebook

Fungi is a style of local musical form of the [British] Virgin Islands and is also the native music of the US Virgin Islands, having evolved in the Virgin Islands during slavery and was later passed on from generation to generation.

After emancipation in 1834, regional scratch (fungi) bands began forming and played for holidays and festivals across the islands.

During a band interview on the ‘Real Talk’ show with host Karia J. Christopher in 2023 and aired this weekend, band manager and lead singer Aaron F. Parillon said there is no challenge in keeping fungi alive, despite the band’s focus on multiple genres.

“We understand the protocol… the precedence was set before us. So it was upon us to take the baton and make it more cool for the younger generation coming forward, that is why we have always said let's fuse different genres… but keep it fungi,” he said.

Fungi offers a unique sound for Band

Band member and backup vocalist, Mr Devon Blaze said that for fungi music, it’s all about live-played instruments with a unique sound like banjo and the triangle that makes the music uniquely fungi.

The Razor Bladez has been alive for years having released its first album in 2014, titled ‘Break ah Leg’, which featured a collection of nine tunes with backing from telecommunications company Digicel VI in 2014.

The band considers itself founded in the Third District; however, is adamant it has the right to be called ‘The Razor Bladez; as a standalone act, rather than a spinoff act of another band.

Parillon said it remains important for the band to keep the cultural music alive.

He said while the band might play hip-hop, R&B, calypso, reggae, and zouk, more fungi will be a central part of the music played by Razor Bladez.