04 Jun From Soca to Animated Series
Soca superstar Anslem Douglas, best known for his global hit “Who Let the Dogs Out,” is striking a different chord — this time in animation. His heartfelt and humorous new project, The Adventures of Spin & Scratch, is being produced at the Caribbean’s creative powerhouse, Animae Caribe HOUSE. The venture signals an exciting shift from stage to screen, blending island storytelling, music, and visual arts with the potential to launch a new era in regional animation.
Set between the bustling borough of Brooklyn and the lush tropics of Trinidad and Tobago, Spin & Scratch tells the story of two teenage mice unwittingly relocated in a suitcase by a Trinidadian nanny returning home after 40 years. What follows is a delightful tale of reverse migration, identity, family, and island life, as Spin and his brother Scratch navigate the strange yet vibrant world of the Caribbean. The show promises humor, emotional depth, and a uniquely Caribbean twist on the classic animated adventure.
This is not just a passion project for Douglas — it’s a bold statement on the untapped potential of Caribbean animation. Produced at the Animae Caribe HOUSE, a co-working animation hub in Trinidad founded by animation pioneer Camille Selvon Abrahams, Spin & Scratch is poised to do more than entertain. If projected investments come through, the series could employ over 40 young Caribbean artists and animators for a minimum of two years.
“This is about giving our young creatives a future,” says Selvon Abrahams. “We’ve got the talent, we’ve got the stories, and now we have projects like Spin & Scratch that can showcase both to the world. This isn’t just animation. This is industry development, cultural celebration, and youth empowerment.”
The animation style is a vibrant fusion of classic Disney inspiration with Caribbean color and anime influence — a visual homage to the islands’ lush scenery and cultural flair. The characters are rich and relatable, from the wise-cracking, martial arts-loving Spin to his adoring, prankster brother Scratch, and their mother, a hard-working single mom trying to build a better future. The supporting cast includes a no-nonsense teenage mouse named Joanne and the ever-loving Aunty Ruby, a symbol of diasporic return and resilience.
With an intended audience of kids aged 10 to 13 and strong appeal for immigrant families worldwide, Spin & Scratch addresses themes that resonate deeply in today’s global society — displacement, belonging, and the power of adaptation. The project also leverages Douglas’s enduring popularity across the Caribbean diaspora, bringing music and cultural nostalgia to a new generation.
A budget of just over $200,000 has been proposed for the production phase, with plans to recoup through licensing, merchandising, and distribution. If successful, the project could lead to a franchise with sequels already in development — making Spin & Scratch a cultural export ready to charm international audiences.
In a world hungry for authentic stories and diverse voices, Anslem Douglas’s leap from soca to animation may be just the boost the Caribbean creative sector needs.
