While jungles are places of danger, they also contain wonders, such as beautiful scenery, fascinating inhabitants, and the feeling of a life lived on the edge. When Triple Island describe their home Flatbush as a jungle in their latest single, ‘Flatbush Jungle’, you understand exactly what they mean. So far as they’re concerned, Brooklyn is a as a place of endless possibility; visitors are welcome to explore as much as they like – or as much as they dare.
The three members of Triple Island represent different musical traditions: the propulsive beats of Haiti and St Lucia, the urgency of Brooklyn pop, and the folk melody of the French Caribbean. Comprising Rells, Cuppa, and Neysa, they come together on a track as a living lesson in the power of co-existence and indeed, cultural cross-pollination. Their music is a just as multi-sensory a place as the jungle – where anything can happen.
‘Flatbush Jungle’ follows on from their first single, ‘FETE’, and the listener is drawn deeply into the group’s unique sound while effectively blurring their roles. ‘Flatbush Jungle’ is produced by Ray Angry, and also features producer/keyboardist Tony AI (of The Roots) rapping in Kreyole towards the end of the song. A native of Miami, Tony AI has been best friends with Neysa for 15 years.
The video for ‘Flatbush Jungle’ is colourful and energetic, with Neysa in charge of the camera, bringing to life the heart of her neighbourhood. We see its stores, its street corners, traffic, graffiti, the chemistry of its crowds, and of course its persistent heat. We are taken to the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Parkside, at the extreme southwestern corner of Prospect Park, and are plunged deeper into the neighbourhood from that point onwards. Neysa, Cuppa, and Rells are charismatic tour guides, as much a part of the Brooklyn environment as the tower blocks and wrought-iron gates. With a saturation of bright, flashing primary colours, Neysa denaturalises the footage, at which point it takes on the character of street art. It’s high contrast and high intensity, serving in effect as a private language for those that know, while remaining an attraction alluring enough to evoke interest from curious outsiders.
Watch the video for ‘Flatbush Jungle’ below, and catch up with Triple Island on Instagram.
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