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
Rupee’s Back In the Soca Limelight, Even with ‘Trust Issues.’
Barbados’ son of the soil, Rupee has unleashed a brand new single. The song, “Trust Issues,” fuses the Afrobeat rhythm with the pulsating energy of Soca music, delivering a track that resonates with everyone who’s heard it, in a deep and engaging way.
The song’s lyrics explore the deeply rooted and necessary concept of trust in any relationship, delving into the question of who to trust and to what extent. It invites music lovers to explore the complexities of human relationships, all the while maintaining the sweetness of the Afro-caribbean beat.
Versatile as ever, Rupee – the artiste who’s catalogue of hits include, ‘Ice Cream,’ ‘Tempted to Touch.’ ‘Jump’ and ‘What Happens in De Party,’ is certainly reconnecting with Caribbean music lovers and his international fanbase on this new release.“Trust is such a fundamental aspect of human connection, yet it’s often fraught with uncertainty. This song is a reflection of that struggle, but also a celebration of resilience and self-discovery,” said the Bajan entertainer.
The new track is available for download on all popular streaming platforms. Check it out.
Caribbean Buzz
Majah Hype Joins TEMPO as Executive Producer of Comedic Content.
The King of Caribbean Comedy, Nigel Joseph, widely known as, Majah Hype, is joining the TEMPO Networks family, as Executive Producer, Comedic Content. The popular comedian, who has made a name for himself across social media platforms with his impressions of Caribbean people, will join TEMPO Networks to assist in the production of groundbreaking comedic content, events and other initiatives.
A certified electrician from Brooklyn who worked in the New York subway system, Majah Hype rose to fame after he was laid off from his job and started producing videos for his Instagram platform. Over the years, his ability to impersonate any Caribbean accent and create hilarious characters such as Grandpa James, Mable, Ms. Glenda, Mitzi, Charlie, Hector and DiRass, earned him millions of followers across social media platforms. Today, he is a highly sought-after comedian who tours extensively around the world as a comedic ambassador for Caribbean culture.
Speaking on the TEMPO collaboration with Majah Hype, TEMPO Networks Founder & CEO Frederick A, Morton, Jr. (a.k.a “Mr. TEMPO”) said: “Majah and I have been discussing partnering for years, knowing that our combined effort to further unite and elevate Caribbean culture would be explosive and, as they say, timing is everything”!
“As the Network rolls out its new streaming service, TEMPO+ Caribbean, the collaboration is right on time”, said Mr. TEMPO, and “I am super-excited to produce the amazing content we are about to deliver together”.
TEMPO plans, in the coming months, to launch several new shows, which it has begun with the hit show, Hot Ones Caribbean, currently featuring the United States Virgin Islands. With Majah Hype joining the team, TEMPO plans to bring Caribbean Comedy to the forefront in a new, fresh and exciting way that TEMPO has historically been famous for. “The opportunities are endless with such a joint venture, with TEMPO and I,” said Majah Hype, of his new role with TEMPO. “We plan to take full advantage of them to take Caribbean entertainment to the next level.”
