Caribbean Buzz
Archived: Tarrus Hops The Soca Train Again. Jamaican Crooner Says “I Have A Special Love For Trinidad.”
Approx. 3 min read Jamaica reggae sensation, Tarrus Riley is making big headlines in Trinidad and Tobago today, this after releasing his second major Soca release in a festival that’s known world over as the Greatest Show on Earth!
One year after making musical magic alongside Machel Montano, with a track called, “Memory”, Jamaican reggae hit maker, Tarrus Riley is back in T&T again, having recorded another Soca influenced single called, “Who Am I To You.” The track, which was written by Trinidad and Tobago’s Dale Ryan and Emmanuel Rudder, and produced by Cherrod Lewis out of Anguilla, is a fusion of pop and Soca beats- a unique blend that has once again proven to music fans world over that there is still so much to be done with Caribbean music.
Tarrus Rileys says one word that describes Soca is “lively”.
Riley, chatting with EBUZZTT this morning, just after the single had dropped in Trinidad, said he really loves the vibes in Trinidad and Tobago. “I really have a special love for Trinidad. It comes like home,” he admitted after reminiscing on his appearance on stage at Machel Montano’s Machel Monday concert event in 2016. Riley said he had no idea what to expect then, especially since he only had that one Soca track to his credit. “Machel Monday was an experience. Me nah wah cuss no bad word but wooooyooooy,” he said with a laugh. “I love the whole unity of the concert. People from Africa, people from all over were there. Meh never really know wha fi expect,” he said. At the end of it all however, Riley said his performance at Machel Monday, which included his performance of his reggae ballads, was a truly memorable one.
Even with a passionate embrace for Trinidad and Tobago’s culture, the Soca art form and the people, the Caribbean musician admitted that the crime scourge is clear and present, much like at home in Jamaica. He said sadly, crime is everywhere. “It have some people who don’t have nothing to do and dem just wah cause problems so we cyah even talk to dem, we cyah fight with dem because dem like fi fight,” he expressed in his native Yardy dialect.” Tarrus said when you’re unable to change the minds and hearts of such people, the only thing you could do is try to lead by example and avoid any kind of participation in any kind of negative behavior.
Riley says people need to listen to the voice that speaks to them.
With crime a hot topic in the Caribbean, the entertainer who has delivered songs like, “She’s Royal”, “Contagious” and “Parables” among countless other hits, says he’s a part of a movement called Crime Free Christmas, which seeks to encourage people to do good and avoid criminal activity going into the New Year. The campaign, which was launched in Jamaica, has gotten social media support with photos of #CrimeFreeChristmas being endorsed by the people of that island. Riley however told EBUZZTT that he’s taken it a step further by creating a song that encourages same. He called on mankind to listen to the voice within them, a voice he says can be heard by every person. “If you wah advice, listen to the voice inside of you. When you’re sitting quiet, when you’re away from noise, there’s a voice that talks to you. If you listen to that voice, it can talk to you stronger than me and more sincere than me,” he said, as he urged people to strive to be better human beings.
On the new Soca release, Riley says he hopes to return to T&T for carnival but admitted to having overseas bookings for the period. He excitedly sang the new tune when he made the media rounds on the island, expressing nothing but good vibes for a genre that he said he has now come to truly love.
NEW MUSIC
Caribbean Buzz
Mother’s Day In Focus: Women Encouraged to Realize Their Divine Role.
There is a divine feminine energy that resides in every woman on the planet. This spiritual energy, while sometimes hidden, is powerful beyond measure, and as Mother’s Day comes into focus, Trinidad and Tobago’s Empress Aje says the time has come, once again, to encourage the country’s women to stand in the beauty and strength of their being.
Her effort to highlight this innate strength is seen in the annual production of her event, ‘The Iba Music Festival.’ Now in its fourth year, the creative showcase returns with love and empowerment at its core. “I don’t think women truly understand what they possess. My effort is to remind women of who they are, the contributions they can make. They must understand that they have a lot of power in their hands- power that can ultimately reach out to change the direction of both men, and children.”
Empress Aje is a woman of impeccable standard who holds fast to the Yoruba tradition. Strengthened by the African teachings of this tradition, she operates solely by spiritual guidance from ‘my ancestors,’ as she explains. Her assignment this Mother’s Day weekend brings the likes of illustrious entertainers, Nisa, Jaron Nurse, Farmer Nappy, Collis Duranty, Stephanie Joseph, Naomi Sinette and Darren Sheppard with NLCB Fonclaire, into focus. Aje will also be a part of the musical lineup, serenading all women on Saturday.
Expanding on her belief in the importance of promoting the divine feminine power in Trinidad and Tobago, Empress Aje says, “More women should be placed in strategic areas of our country’s political landscape.” She believes these women must however understand who they are and add value to the positions they attain.
A prompt 6:30pm commencement carded for Saturday, May 11th’s, Iba Music Festival, Empress Aje assures that variety is at the core of the show. “The event offers great musical variety. As the creative director, I’ve carefully chosen each element of the showcase to deliver positive vibrations on who we are celebrating this weekend.” Added to the live entertainment, the Festival, which is being hosted in the Amphitheatre area, also hosts a number of creative vendors who are being given the opportunity to share their work with patrons. “Initially, I did have second thoughts about hosting the event this year, however I was encouraged to deliver, and I am happy that I listened. Everything has fallen into place,”she said.
Over the past four years, the Iba Music Festival moved from the Little Carib Theatre to the Naparima Bowl. The event was also hosted virtually during the pandemic and even amid that challenge, Empress Aje, a former corporate employee, explained that she was propelled by a higher power, to keep promoting this positive celebration of feminine energy. “In 2022, I was guided to move the show to South. We had artistes like Freetown Collective and Queen Omega, and the event made an enormous impact. We’ve remained in South since that time,” she explained, noting that patrons can expect nothing but good energy, love and enjoyment ahead of Mother’s Day.
“Historically, women were the ones who held the homes together. That has changed, not because of universal law, but because of man’s law and that is probably why we are in the problems we are in now,” said the event organiser. She encourages women to stand up to their divine calling – to once again be true nurturers and solid role models for their children. “If mothers would start back to raise their children and realize their role where family life is concerned, things around us will change,” she emphasized.
For further information on the Iba Music Festival, those interested can call 868-770-1241.
Caribbean Buzz
Rodney ‘FireBall’ King Is On A Mission; Combining Cultures of T&T and Grenada with Soca First.
Radio in the Caribbean is big vibes. There are a number of major players in the game and among them has been the legendary, Trinidad and Tobago voice of Rodney ‘Fireball’ King. The radio mic man whose name is cemented in the history of urban radio in the Caribbean, is making some major moves and we’re here for it!
Though based in T&T, King recently revealed that beginning on Monday, April 29th, he’ll be joining Grenada’s 101.1 Soca First- a station that’s said to be one of Grenada’s most influential frequencies. With the aim of revolutionizing and delivering a fresh fusion of T&T and Grenada’s culture, music and overall entertainment vibe, King will be introducing something he calls, ‘Operation Shell Down.’
Twenty-five years of experience on his side, Rodney spearheads this initiative, which he says seeks to foster regional unity and necessary cultural exchange, on a scale that is yet to be achieved. “Through this effort, Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique will experience an infusion of diverse cultural elements, including cuisine, music, and poetry, from both Trinidad and Grenada,” he said, explaining that he feels this is an historic time because the move with strengthen each country’s potential to earn and exchange value, while enriching communities across the Caribbean.
