top of page

When audiences think of music emanating from the Caribbean

they tend to think of Dancehall, Reggae, and Calypso but rarely do they

think of Hip Hop. One might say this is because the Caribbean only

respects the genres that its culture is primarily dominated by, however,

in reality this is not the case. Need proof? Just ask the legends Marlon

Asher and Sizzla Kalonji who will argue otherwise. This is solely

because of one youthful St Thomian artist who changed their perception!

 

This artist goes by the moniker, Pediko. Pediko hails from the

Virgin Islands but also reps his bloodline motherland known as

Dominica. He emerged within the music industry at a very young age by

depicting the hidden reality of the struggles that occur beyond the beauty

and beaches of his hometown. His ability to capture the pureness of his

pain through gritty storytelling not only captivated the attention of local

superstar Pressure Busspipe but it moved him so much that he actually

signed Pediko to BussPipe Records.

Pediko’s musical talent and sound have been molded by the rough

lessons learned in his past. He takes pride in the pureness of his lyrics

and the fact that he lived the content that he speaks about. Audiences

don’t typically know that young Pediko released several entire

independent projects while still in high school. When asked what

motivated him to make this music while balancing the stresses of both

school and the streets, the young artist explained “I have to express my

pain in some form other than anger. This is my form of expression. This

is my gift to my friends who have died and those who have been taken

from society. This is for my biological brother behind those walls.”

From the outside looking in, Pediko has used his musical talent to

rise above the negativity that the street life offers but not because he

didn’t choose to live the street life but because he chose to learn from it.

The pain of death and separation from his loved ones forced a deep

rooted change within himself that poured out into his music. Pediko now

prides himself in being a true artist rather than just a lyricist. His natural

musical prowess has allowed him to evolve into more genres than just

Rap. Pediko is now considered a multi-genre musician by way of

incorporating his lyrical ability with Caribbean influences which can be

seen in his tracks Do the Most and My Way ft Pressure BussPipe.

As a result, the new age of Virgin Islands musicians attribute their

motivations to Pediko and the majority of these artists are actually fans

of his music themselves. This is because Pediko represents hope for all

youths trying to make something of themselves and his authenticity is

proven not just through his content but through his character as well. His

name is as popular on the music charts as it is in the class rooms. Pediko

represents hope for those looking to rise above their current situation and

make more of themselves. He is an inspiration to his hometown and a

living breathing testament of this hidden talent it beholds.

bottom of page