Caribbean Buzz
Archived: Shaft Is The Man! A Year of Endless Blessings and More To Come
The year 2015 is now a memory but for songwriter Jason ‘Shaft’ Bishop, it was the year he became truly popular in the Caribbean. In T&T, he dominated the Soca Monarch competition with songs like Destra Garcia’s ‘Lucy’, Nikki Crosby’s ‘Granny’ and Chucky’s ‘Doh Take It On”. It was an historic carnival season for the songwriter who became one to watch by many in the soca industry.
Jason Shaft Bishop, spotted at Soca In Moka is gearing up for a phenomenal year.
Shaft says 2016 will see even greater strides. His achievements at Barbados’ Cropover, which included providing Peter Ram with the right song to take home the Road March title and delivering a song to Imani and Biggie Irie that would eventually be used by the Barbados government in a campaign, have propelled Bishop to reach for even more. “My plan is to really spread to more places in Barbados so that more people become familiar with me and what I do,” he told ETCETERABUZZ.
Toward the end of 2015, Jason was invited by the Barbados government to host a workshop for songwriters on the island. He gladly accepted and now, that having been a tremendous success, he’s looking forward to expanding the idea to other islands and certainly at home in T&T. St. Lucia’s government has already contacted him and with that, he’s making amendments to his presentation to be able to deliver even more to the people who he will impart his knowledge on.
Shaft was responsible for Lyrikal’s ‘Loner’ in 2015 and now ‘Dip and Roll’ – a favorite in 2016.
This carnival, Shaft has a number of popular songs to his credit. Lyrikal’s ‘Dip and Roll’, Destra’s ‘Stranded’, Jaiga’s ‘Anyway’, Lil Bits’ ‘Work’, Rikki Jai’s, ‘Leh We Fete’, Machel Montano’s ‘Carnival Groupie’ and SkinnyFabulous’ ‘Born For This’ are all Shaft Vibes written work. He’s excited that most of his songs are being enjoyed by the people but says he’s got no major expectations this season. “It’s all in God’s hands. He is the boss and He will decide just how things should happen,” said Bishop.
An upliftment achievement award out of Barbados, to his name, Jason Shaft Bishop says his aim is to remain relevant in 2016. “I hope to be a good example to upcoming writers. I’ve gained the respect of many of them and I’m happy about that. I hope to continue giving them what’s essential to keep that respect high,” he said.
Bishop has written another single for Montano which is yet to be released.
Currently preparing for another Machel Montano release, Jason told ETCETERABUZZ the population an expect a monster. This year, there are also plans afoot to see Jason Shaft Bishop enter the international music market. Not wanting to give away too much just yet, he told us he’s making connections to deliver some R&B songs to major artistes overseas.
For more on Jason Shaft Bishop, follow JasonShaftBishop on all major social media platforms.
Caribbean Buzz
Destra Delivers Powerfully at Reflections.
“If this sharing that I’m doing touches anyone, I’m truly grateful. None of us are perfect. Some days you’ll feel good, some days you won’t, but it’s all part of the journey. Sometimes what you’re looking for is right on the horizon, and the moment you give up, you miss it. If my testimony makes anyone feel something, then my work here is done.” – DESTRA GARCIA
Trinidad and Tobago received a musical showcase of spiritual awakening yet again this past Saturday, at Destra’s ‘Reflections: Sound. Spirit. Surrender.” The event took place at Queen’s Hall, St. Ann’s and proved to be a truly inspiring and uplifting musical experience.
From the onset, the show set a standard that fans of good music with powerful lyrics, would rave about for weeks. David Rudder – a cultural icon of Calypso music out of Trinidad and Tobago, welcomed the audience as he hit the stage first delivering the very fitting, ‘High Mas.’ It was a powerful blessing no doubt – something that would lead into a seamless spiritual production. He was subsequently joined on stage by Destra, something that created a full-circle moment that drew immediate emotion from the audience.
Known for her unmistakeable vocal ability, Destra took her audience on a carefully curated musical journey, opening her set with Free Again before transitioning into slowed-down, soul-stirring renditions of some of her most beloved songs, including Love Somebody and Fly and with each performance, she revealed a different layer of her artistry, offering vulnerability, reflection, and strength.
One of the night’s most touching highlights came as Garcia shared the stage with her daughter, Xaiya, for a heartfelt duet of The Prayer. Beginning at the piano, Xaiya gently set the tone before joining her mother in song, creating an intimate moment that resonated deeply with the audience.
The production, which was creatively directed by Zara Bartels and Isoke Edwards, also showcased the incredible talent of father and son pan duo Martin and De’jean Cain as well as the Maria Regina Grade School and St. Joseph’s Convent Port- of- Spain choirs, whose vibrant and polished performances brought a refreshing, youthful energy to the stage. Gospel artiste, Nisa joined Garcia for a powerful duet of Bridge Over Troubled Water. She also performed her original composition Make Me Over, adding another layer of spiritual depth to the evening.
As the show built toward its finale, Garcia delivered a commanding rendition of Ella Andall’s Bring Down the Power, followed by classic hymns including A Little More Oil in My Lamp. This climactic segment was elevated by the presence of traditional belle dancers and African drummers, creating a rich, cultural fusion that brought the audience to its feet. Beyond the performances, the overall production, brought to life through Bridgette Wilson’s choreography and Atiba Borde’s costuming, stood out for its seamless execution, immersive ambience, and thoughtful storytelling, reinforcing Reflections as more than just a concert, but a transformative experience.
Reflections certainly delivered a powerful blend of music, filled with deep messages and meaning. In what is a very spiritual season, Destra, through the delivery of ‘Reflections,’ has carved out a space for inspiration and connection within Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural landscape – something that many would agree, is a necessity more than an option.
Caribbean Buzz
Belize’s Shyne, Talks Culture and Governance at Island Music Conference. Challenges Caribbean Leaders.
Belizean political leader and notable Hip Hop figure , The Honourable, Dr. Moses “Shyne” Barrow has identified Jamaica as a regional blueprint for how culture and governance can work together to build sustainable industry.
Delivering a keynote address entitled, ‘From Stage to State’ at the Island Music Conference (IMC) in Kingston, Jamaica last week, Barrow urged Caribbean governments to move beyond symbolic support of the arts and toward structured public–private partnerships.
“These conferences are so very important,” he told delegates, describing information exchange as critical in an evolving global music economy. Responding to a question from Overtime Media about cultural influence as an economic engine, Barrow pointed to Jamaica’s global footprint. “The work of great musicians such as Bob Marley and Shabba Ranks, as well as the development of Reggae and Dancehall music, has done more for the Jamaican tourism product than anything else,” he said.
PHOTO: Overtime Media.
According to Barrow, Jamaica exemplifies how successive political administrations, despite partisan rivalry, maintained consistent implementation policies that enabled private-sector investment in the music industry. “They were fighting each other, but giving the same implementation,” he noted, crediting that alignment for helping Jamaican music achieve unmatched global recognition.“There is no one in the world who does not know about Jamaica — its music, its food and its culture,” he noted.
Barrow framed his own political evolution as rooted in Hip Hop’s entrepreneurial DNA. Calling his transition from performer to legislator “quintessential Hip-Hop,” he cited moguls who expanded beyond music into business and influence, arguing that creative thinkers belong in positions of power. “We belong in parliament. We belong in the cabinet. We belong in the Prime Minister’s office and in the President’s office,” he said. He also addressed emerging challenges facing the creative sector, particularly artificial intelligence and intellectual property protection.“We need to protect our rights. We need to protect our work and that can only be legislated,” Barrow warned. “If we don’t get involved in the legislative process, we’re going to wake up one day and find that our rights are gone.”
Calling the human mind “the greatest thing on planet Earth,” he cautioned against over-reliance on technology, stressing that creatives must remain central to innovation. Reflecting candidly on his past, including a decade of incarceration following a 1999 nightclub shooting, Barrow described his return to Belize as a shift toward service. “By then, my dreams had already come true,” he said. “But when I looked around my country, I saw people still struggling. So I chose a life of service.”
Barrow also revealed plans to return to the stage with a world tour marking the 25th anniversary of his debut album, while reaffirming his commitment to public service. Closing his address, he challenged Caribbean leaders to diversify the profiles of those shaping legislation.“The Caribbean’s creative class has already shaped global culture,” he said. “Now we must shape policy.”
– NIGEL TELESFORD / Overtime Media.
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