In what was certainly a well attended media conference in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad this morning, soca artistes Fay-Ann Lyons and Bunji Garlin made it very clear that their aim, in addressing issues related to their band’s former management, was not to slander the name and character of any person or entity. With that distingushed, the couple who sat beside new band manager, Dexter Thomas made every attempt to avoid calling the name of the man who had managed the band for some 14 years. They however answered every question asked by the media, highlighting that there were in fact some financial issues that lingered.
Members of the Asylum Vikings stood firmly together today at the media conference.
Bunji Garlin said he made the decision to remove the band from the clutches of its former management, this after attempts to agree on a financial settlement, as requested by the band’s former manager, could not be agreed upon by him. Despite this however, he assured that moving in this new direction was seen as a step forward, this as the husband and wife team, together with their unit which will now be called the Asylum Vikings prepare to embrace what lies in wait.
In control of her tongue but certainly clear of her rights as a leader and member of the band, Fay-Ann Lyons said she became concerned with some of the management issues that arose- one of which was the fact that the Asylum Band, in all 14 years of existence, had not been outfitted with a banking account that would afford for financial transparency. Also, Lyons-Alvarez and her husband told the media that when they asked their former manager to grant them access to contracts so that terms and conditions made with promoters, could be reviewed, this was not allowed.
Today Bunji Garlin admitted to having been naive of the operations over the years and said that when he took the hand of Lyons-Alvarez in December 2009, to be his life partner, he understood that they would be a team that would seek each other’s best interest.
Members of the Asylum Vikings band remain committed- this despite the break up with their former band manager. Lyons-Alvarez maintained that the overall priority was music and ensuring that the band members were all paid for their services. She said there were a few events for which the band had not been paid to date and this she said was due to the former manager’s decision to hold back information related to contracts and monies collected from promoters, from them. She however remained calm in the face of this and when asked what would be the next step in aquiring monies owed, Bunji said while there was no desire to see the matter reach the courts, if this was what had to be done, then so it would be.
ETCETERABUZZ.COM captured some footage from the media conference earlier today. Take a look at how things went down.
He had one of the most memorable Carnival seasons with a Soca track that stole the hearts of Soca lovers in 2026 and now Aaron ‘Voice’ St. Louis is set to represent hard for the Soca music genre at the upcoming ‘Best of the Best’ Music Festival in Miami on May 26th. His appearance will be his debut to the highly anticipated festival and already, the energy is high.
Voice makes his debut at Best of the Best 2026.
Voice represents the bridge between Millennial Soca and GenZ vibes. ‘Cyah Behave Mehself’ was lapped up like good Caribbean food at Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago back in February, and it is expected to do the same as the international summer season approaches.
Set to take place on May 26th at Museum Park, Downtown Miami, Voice’s inclusion on the cast underscores the Soca genre’s continued global reach within a predominantly reggae and dancehall showcase. Known for his high energy performances and melodic songwriting, the Trinidad and Tobago three -time Soca Monarch King has built an extensive catalogue of hits that that has proven to resonate with a global audience.
Organizers say anticipation for Voice’s performance at Best of the Best, is high. “Fans are looking forward to a dynamic set that brings soca’s signature energy to the festival stage.”
Best of the Best Music Fest remains one of North America’s premiere Caribbean music events, drawing fans from across the region and Diaspora for a full day of live performances. This year’s lineup includes, Sizzla Kalonji, Beenie Man, Tarrus Riley, Capleton, Rajah Wild, Skeng, Vanessa Bling, among others.
Ahead of its 11th annual voyage in November, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruiseshares its story through a new film. VIBE premiered All in the Same Boat, a documentary directed by acclaimed filmmaker, Reshma B and produced by Boomshots TV that traces Marley and his manager Dan Dalton’s brainchild from a bold, outsider idea into one of the most culturally significant movements in reggae and dancehall today.
With over a decade’s worth of unforgettable moments pulled from the last 10 voyages, this 30+ minute documentary captures the spirit of a global reggae community built on shared identity, resilience, and reverence for Jamaican culture. It features iconic performances, real conversations with the artistes and DJs, and the heartbeat of it all: the “Jamrockers.” These are die-hard reggae lovers from over 40 countries who pull up every year for one reason – to feel that irreplaceable connection to Jamaican culture and keep the Marley message of “One Love” alive.
Having successfully navigated challenges including extreme weather and a global pandemic, the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise continues to thrive. Its 11th staging will return for its annual voyage from November 11th to the 16th, sailing from Miami aboard Norwegian Joy.
Stacked from foundation to future, this year’s lineup brings together reggae and dancehall’s most influential voices: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Stephen Marley (Traffic Jam Set), Burning Spear, Sizzla, Capleton, Beenie Man, Protoje, Barrington Levy, Elephant Man, Junior Reid, Lila Iké, Ding Dong & the Ravers Clavers, Tony Matterhorn “Man on the Moon”, Gyptian, 450, Richie Spice, Ghost, Mr. Lexx, Professor Nuts, L.U.S.T., Sister Carol, Sevana, Flourgon, Johnny P, and Jemere Morgan are confirmed.
The cruise’s famed Sound Clash at Sea will return alongside powerhouse sound systems including Stone Love (Geefus), King Jammy, Silverhawk Sound, Rory Stone Love, Renaissance Sound, Federation Sound, Warrior Sound, Rampage Sound, Kingston12 HiFi and Souljah1 Muzik, preserving a cornerstone of Jamaican music culture in its most authentic form.
Jamrock is a Premiere Reggae Event
The Jamrock experience has evolved into the premier reggae event at sea—one that continues to redefine how the culture is celebrated on a global stage. The five-day experience continues to immerse guests in the full spectrum of Jamaican life—from Nyabinghi sunrise sessions and sound bath meditations to dancehall workshops, fitness programming, and curated culinary offerings led by acclaimed Chef Lumley. A new addition this year includes a live theatrical production by legendary playwright Oliver Samuels, adding yet another layer to the cruise’s ever-expanding cultural canvas.
Beenie Man will be on the cruise in November.
Following the impact of Hurricane Melissa in 2025, the cruise will return to Jamaica with renewed purpose, maintaining its distinction as the only chartered cruise with two Jamaican port stops. That commitment translates into tangible impact, generating millions annually for the island’s tourism and cultural economy while reinforcing a direct connection between the music, the people, and the place that birthed it.
As All in the Same Boat makes clear, Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise is a movement with its own rhythm, one that continues to bring the diaspora home, while inviting the world in. Since its inception in 2014, the mission remains the same: to create a space where reggae lives, breathes, and connects us all.
The documentary made its debut during the 10th annual cruise and later screened at Art Basel in support of hurricane relief efforts led by the Marley family’s Ghetto Youths Foundation. Damian Marley and Dan Dalton were executive producers of the film.
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