Anika + Hearts of Steel

Trinidadian-American soca artist Anika Berry came to prominence in 2022 with her hit single “Jammin,” which earned her a nomination for Best New Soca Artist at the 2023 Caribbean Music Awards. In 2025 she was a finalist in the Ultimate Soca Champion competition with her song “Saddle” on the hit album Tilden Hall Riddim. Berry’s music reflects her upbringing in a Trinidadian household immersed in calypso and soca music, blending traditional soca with R&B influences. She has earned spots on American, Canadian, and European reggae charts, with four Top 10 placements, and was named a Breakthrough Artist by Caribbean Elite magazine in 2024.

Co-headliner Hearts of Steel is a Trinidadian-rooted, Brooklyn-based steel-pan orchestra that plays what leader Mike Demas terms “Flatbush Music”—joyful, resilient sounds that echo Caribbean heritage. An iconic part of Brooklyn's cultural fabric, the band is often heard in Prospect Park, offering a vibrant link to Trinidadian resistance and perseverance through music.

For our special BAM Free Music event, Hearts of Steel plays first, then welcomes Anika to the stage. And members of 2J & Friends 2025 J’ouvert Band of the Year “Your Majesty, Queen of the Road” Tribute to Calypso Rose will be on hand to assure an evening to remember.

GabSoul, also known as “the Illustrious Eclectic Selecta,” is a first-generation Caribbean-American DJ and multi-hyphenate artist who has carved a niche for herself with a distinctive fusion of sounds. Born and raised in the vibrant melting pot of New York City, GabSoul reflects the rich tapestry of her Caribbean heritage and the eclectic influences of her upbringing, spanning R&B/soul, hip hop, funk, house, and more. Her performances have graced major events and venues across the US and around the world, including such prestigious platforms as AFROPUNK, R&B ONLY, and Boiler Room.