A lot of artistes have great music. That’s a fact. How many artistes however, can really perform their tracks, delivering seamlessly when they hit a big stage- or any stage for that matter?
Have you ever been caught with your mouth open, face turned up and vibe soured after an artiste you’d been anticipating all night, because he has a “big tune” as promoted by radio men, failed to execute? Trust and believe- it’s a common occurrence. On Friday night, former Road March King, Power Soca Monarch and Groovy Soca Monarch King, Shurwayne Winchester- Tobago’s hero, reminded us that among the dozens of entertainers who deliver Soca music annually, he remains a true champion, never failing to truly put on a show, no matter the setting. Shurwayne hosted a pretty intimate video release party, inviting close friends and family and hardly any media it would seem, to share in a night of bliss with him at the Radisson Hotel in Port-of-Spain. It was no major soiree. In fact, among the crop of people in attendance, the celebs spotted were Baron and Chris Garcia. In early October, in a chat with Ebuzztt.com, Winchester had said, “I can only be me. I can’t change the way I am, to suit the hype. If that is’t enough then I guess I’ll be performing for select audiences.”
The question is however, is that fair? Then again… life isn’t fair, right?
Shurwayne with fellow Soca star, Destra Garcia some time ago.
Shurwayne entertains friends at Radisson Hotel in Port-of-Spain.
Shurwayne’s catalogue of music is immense. He proved it, much like Destra Garcia did on Thursday night when she appeared on urban frequency, Boomchampions 94.1FM and belted out her oldies but goodies that’ll never cease to make audiences smile and move. The same expression came when Shurwayne delivered, ‘Come Beta’ and ‘Don’t Stop’ to his friends on Friday. His signature style of giving directives didn’t fail either. He instructed his small crowd to form a conga line and they obeyed, chipping in unison around the Radisson pool, much to their personal enjoyment. Later he would sing his two new single, ‘Right Away’ – the song for which the new video was created, and ‘Oxygen’- one that is likely to become one of Carnival 2017’s most enjoyed, if given the chance to, by radio DJs and personalities.
Annually, Shurwayne Winchester hosts events in Arima, Trinidad and his birth place, Tobago. Despite the fact that he’s often sidelined for major Carnival fetes that pull big crowds, he remains highly appreciated for his ability to truly entertain, by promoters who host select events, so, during carnival, Shurwayne may be found in fetes hosted in South Trinidad and parts thereabout that are hardly ever advertised. Sadly however, many will hardly ever get the opportunity to feel what a ‘Shurwayne Winchester’ party vibe is like. To put it simply- he’s a performer at heart and he never fails to make his crowd sweat. Added to that, Shurwayne Winchester can sing!
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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