Consistency is key. That’s what they say right?! Well, for years, RKG, one of Trinidad and Tobago’s radio personalities and artistes, has been trying to prove his worth to the masses at home. He may be on the verge of a distinguishable breakthrough now and ironically, he’s managed to do it with very little help from anyone at home.
RKG doubles up as a radio personality at Next 99.1FM in Trinidad.
In recent days, the entertainer who doubles up as a personality at Next 99.1FM in Trinidad, learnt that his album ‘Caribbean Born’, had been up for consideration by Grammy Awards 2017 voters for possible inclusion among the list of 5 nominees for the category of Best Reggae Album. He immediately began celebrating the achievement, knowing to himself that not many other artistes out of T&T had even made it to this point of such a globally recognized process. In an interview with EBUZZTT this week, the VPAL signed act, said last month he visited the United States at which time he performed at BB Kings and even did some promotional work- visiting radio stations and promoting the album. Now, just weeks after that move, RKG is excitedly preparing for the possibilities that lie in wait. He says his journey to this point has not been easy. He’s pretty much faced the same scrutiny that many new artistes face, telling us that despite the fact that he himself is a radio personality, his music hardly ever receives the attention of radio heavyweights to aid in its development.
Carol Maharaj- the mother of Internationally recognized, rapper, Nicki Minaj, is seen holding the Caribbean Born album.
‘Caribbean Born’ is a crossover album, RKG told us, noting that it’s a fusion of Soca, Dancehall and Reggae music. The album was selected by VPAL- a subsidiary of VP Records, to be submitted along with some 149 other albums for screening and subsequent nomination after being critiqued by the Academy of Voting Members. Albums by Jamaica’s Sizzla Kalonji, Kranium and Mr. Vegas are among the submissions. The Trinidad and Tobago national’s album will however have to survive the critique in a process that will see only 5 albums make it for Grammy Award nomination consideration.
“My focus has always been on doing music that can connect to people around the world. I plan on continuing that.” – RKG
He explained that the criteria that allows for submission by the record label includes factors such as distribution within the United States and availability for purchase via online music retailers. He’s done this and more! These days, RKG, who’s been singing professionally for some 12 years, says he’s been rolling solo- avoiding the crowd, having learnt that the music industry, particularly at home in Trinidad and Tobago, can be a perilous one. “I believe we need to work together- all artistes, but there’s a lot of cut throat in the business. I also feel we need to continue developing our sound by listening to what the Billboard charts are choosing,” he said.
Caribbean Born is available on iTunes.
Recently, RKG held talks with the manager of reggae entertainer, Gyptian. He said they’re working out the logistics that will likely see him open for the Jamaican crooner at various events overseas. “This Grammy selection process is a good look for me. It’s a good look for T&T and even for soca. I plan on still delivering new Soca for Carnival 2017, but I’ll be promoting the album even with that in the works.”
A major effort to recant what is now the norm in entertainment, is here.
One team, one mission – to recalibrate the energy and bring the real party vibe back to what it once was. Radio personality and well known DJ in Trinidad and Tobago, Jus Jase is part of the Timeless Entertainment team. His brothers in the music industry, Jon Boi, Beats By Robin, Franco, Ken Simmons and Kevin Baker collectively agree that the time has come to regenerate interest in the the party scene. They’re the team that’s behind an upcoming event that’s guaranteed to leaving a long lasting impression.
Jus Jase is one part of the Timeless Entertainment team of DJs.
On September 23rd – the night before the Republic Day holiday in Trinidad and Tobago, party people are set to enjoy great music coupled with the perfect ambience, at The Gathering. This highly anticipated event that’s marketed to the grown and sexy, is being held at Sideline Sips- a venue adjacent to the Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya. “We’re not new to this. In fact, we’ve been down this road before and we know what’s needed,” said Jase in an interview with Ebuzztt. He said from the days of hosting events at Ambassador Hotel and other venues across the country in the 2000’s to hosting more intimate house parties when venues became a challenge, the Timelesss team of DJs have seen it unfold in real time. Now, they’re prepared to use their knowledge of music, business and promotion to give real music lovers a product they’ll have no problem buying into. “We still have the appetite to deliver that vibe people once experienced at those events back then, today and we’ll be doing that at The Gathering,” said Jase.
Partnering with Abslut Vodka for welcome cocktails and Hookah & Chill to ensure Hookah lovers are catered to, the team is going all out to provide the very essence that makes a grown and sexy party what it should look and feel like. “We’re coming as one army of top tier DJs, powered by a quality sound system in QCW Sounds from East, Trinidad, and as tastemakers in the game, we can say with every bit of confidence, that we will leave every patron thoroughly satisfied,” Jase affirmed.
The event is not a Back in Times party. Music from every period will be juggled with the level of refined expertise that only these seasoned selectors, can deliver. “Early bird $200 tickets are now sold out and $250 tickets are still available, but we encourage everyone to secure them soon. We have a special that offers three ladies on one ticket for the price of just $400,” said Jase, highlighting that a cash bar will be available for patrons’ convenience. “This event is everything people have been asking us for, over the years. We’re catering to the thriving cigar culture with a cigar station as one of our features, along with flavored Hookah, and even a Paparazzi area for the selfie lovers. It will be an overall sexy, mature experience and we want our patrons to come out looking their best and feeling their best to truly enjoy the kind of experience they’ve been yearning for.”
Ready to welcome folks from all walks of life and certainly the young and mature alike, the Timeless Entertainment team is promising music that’ll invoke emotion on September 23rd- music that will be played to make everybody move. “Our team isn’t a team of DJs that are in competition with each other. In fact, we hang out a lot together and we’re a family. This is the energy that will show itself in the way this party feels from beginning to end,” he assured. Jus Jase, like the rest of his crew, understands that music holds immense power and how music is played is essential to how the event is enjoyed. “We formed this alliance after meeting at a party that we were all at in Chaguaramas. We were standing there together and we all had the same facial expression in observing the way the DJs were playing the same old school music. They just were not doing justice to the music. We started laughing about it and that’s how the conversation to create a proper option for party lovers, started.”
From a simple desire to do things the right way for patrons who truly want to get out and have a good time, to now preparing for the first of what they guarantee will be many more to come, Timeless Entertainment is bringing back the heat. “We’ve lost the art of people meeting people at events because of the phone culture over time. People are not going to experience the true authenticity of an event through a phone screen. Over time, there has been a divide in what people do when they come out to party nowadays. Even carnival has suffered from that. We don’t want to encourage that,” said Jus Jase. He says The Gathering will show music lovers just what it means to chase all inhibition away.
The team plans on delivering club-style events across the country. Together, they’re embarking on something that many have been calling for, for quite some time. “We won’t be at this particular venue all the time. We may bring back some clubs again and we’ll eventually do a Boat Ride and other types of events. Timeless Entertainment is bent on showing everyone, everywhere exactly how the party vibe should be.
The Atlantic Ocean has long connected Africa and the Caribbean through history and culture. That connection finds a powerful new expression with “Love Again,” an Afro-Caribbean collaboration between global Ghanaian superstar, Black Sherif and Trinidad and Tobago’s acclaimed songwriting and performing duo, brothers Kory and Kevon Hart of Full Blown.
The single was released globally through EMPIRE on September 4th. Built around themes of vulnerability, healing and the courage to love again, the record arrives at a time when creative partnerships between Africa and the Caribbean are reshaping the sound of global music.
‘Love Again’ captures the emotional highs and lows of choosing hope after heartbreak. For Black Sherif, whose introspective storytelling has earned him over 1bn+ streams from his previous album “Iron Boy,” over 5bn+ streams across his catalogue, and a global audience, the collaboration represents another step in expanding the dialogue between African and Caribbean music.
For Kory and Kevon Hart, internationally respected producers and songwriters whose work has shaped countless Caribbean hits, it marks an opportunity to showcase their artistry alongside one of Africa’s defining voices. As Black Sherif continues to share his life through his music, he is not shy about discussing intimacy and love. “Almost all of the necessary affections that I have needed, and have gotten, came from afar, physically and figuratively. As a result, I have a tough time receiving and keeping love or better say intimacy, even though I crave them intensely,” he shared.
Black Sherif
He admits that in his adult years this topic “has become one of the greatest discussions in my bedroom mirror and with this project, I have allowed you a glimpse of it.” Remarkably, despite creating this song together, the artistes did so from different parts of the world. They did not meet until the filming of the official music video. The reality TV-inspired video, which drops on October 15th, further celebrates the undeniable musical chemistry between West Africa and the Caribbean – regions whose cultural ties continue to inspire some of the world’s most exciting sounds.
Full Blown’s involvement in this project further supports their continued exploration of themes related to love and relationships. “This project felt natural and fits our vibe and style perfectly,” the brothers expressed cohesively.
Hailing from the twin-island Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, where Soca music is the dominant genre, a big part of their dream for the genre has always been to carry the sound of Soca music to the corners of the globe, and to collaborate and share their particular vibe with artistes from different cultures. “This project is another step forward for Full Blown. We’re keeping our dream alive,” said the duo.
As Afrobeats continues its global rise and Caribbean music expands its international reach, ‘Love Again’ reflects a broader movement bringing African and Caribbean artistes closer together. Rather than borrowing from one another, the record celebrates a shared musical lineage while pointing toward an increasingly connected future.
‘Love Again’ is one of 6 tracks featured on his EP titled SUN SHERIF, which is set to follow the success of his second studio album.
error: This content is protected. if you wish to use this content in anyway please contact us.
GATHER
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.