Steelpan icon Jim "Jimi" Phillips designs KFC Spicy Steel Bucket
Iconic steelpan musician and innovator Jim "Jimi" Phillips has worked together with KFC to create signature steelpans with a spicy twist. In a statement, franchise holder Prestige Holdings Limited said the project was a collaboration designed to ignite the spirit of Carnival once again.
"This taste of Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival in 2022, will be a bucket of entertainment, with their latest product innovation - the "Spicy Steel Buckets".
"The local fast-food giant in a collaborative effort with local pan maker and icon, Jim "Jimi" Phillip, designed and manufactured the KFC branded steel drums, which are ready to take to the streets of Trinidad and Tobago to share the sweet sounds of Trinidad’s national instrument."
Jim Phillip, one of the most decorated steel pan tuners, is known for his continued development of the steel pan instrument. In a video interview for KFC, Jim Phillips said he took on the challenge of creating this new design.
"I was told to go and get a KFC bucket and look at it, I expanded the size and I brought it to life in accordance with the design of the KFC Bucket. It was really a challenge but I loved it".
The company said local pannist and social media personality Joshua Regrello, through his own efforts, has been keeping the sweet melodies of steelpan alive in the younger generation through his social media content and his latest EP “De Pan Man”. The company said this hasn't gone unnoticed, as they have also included his energetic personality in this project.
"Regrello will be the man on the streets joyfully playing the KFC pans at strategic locations during the season, bringing the music to the people in hopes of spreading the carnival spirit. PHL has confirmed that all COVID-19 protocols will be observed in this production."
The company said 2022's Carnival celebrations are a positive sign of post-pandemic recovery.
