Caribbean Buzz
Archived: Jamaican Dancehall Artist, Sean Paul Is Walking The Talk.
On the heels of the release of his seventh studio album, ‘Live N Livin’, dancehall artist, Sean Paul has released the visuals for one of his tracks “Everest,”which features dancehall artistes Masicka and Skillibeng.
The video was directed by Kieran Khan Productions and was shot in Kingston, Jamaica. The portrayal signifies the idea of “collaboration over confrontation,” which Sean Paul delivers throughout the album. “As the great Capleton says, music is a mission, not a competition. I believe we should use music to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. The division in our genre, many times is senseless,” he said, adding, “We are all here to entertain our fans, provide for our loved ones and live a good life. Together we can be so much more powerful if we collaborate, instead of segregating ourselves and our crews. Everest is a perfect example of that.”
The internationally recognised entertainer highlighted the production skills of Demarco and thanked fellow artistes, Masicka and Skillibeng for their involvement.
Sean Paul is currently gearing up for his virtual Dreamstage performance on Saturday, May 8 live from Jamaica.
SEAN PAUL ON TRINIBAD STYLE.
Over the past few weeks, Sean Paul has appeared on several Trinidad and Tobago media platforms. He’s discussed the Trinibad music genre in various contexts, even rating the talent of some of the artistes who are a part of the movement.
One of the most recent expressions covered by Overtime TT and published in the Newsday newspaper hears the artist call for balance. “This music is to tell people what’s going on in our lives and I encourage people fi talk the truth every time. A lot ah time now we kinda embellishing or over exaggerating or over glorifying ah violent type ah lifestyle like it is the realist thing – like we get up every morning and drink we tea and buss gun inna boy head – and that ain’t true, or else there would be none of us left on earth. Scene? So, that’s my only thing with the badness: meh just wha big up everybody who ah do music and say yes, yuh must reflect the badness that is in society cause yeah, because that is what the music is for, but also tell the real story dem – tell de story when yuh shoot somebody an afi go hide inna hill and yuh cyah see yuh baby mother nor yuh baby dem for months, yuh understand?. He went on to tell the TriniBad artiste, “Tell de story when police ah come look fuh yuh and yuh frighten and yuh paro because yuh cyah even trust yuh best friend cause dem will sell you out cause dem know wha yuh do. So tell dem story dey too, not just the ones where you afi the baddest ting and no boy cyah test cause if dem test ah pure problems and violence!”
Sean Paul has called on the artistes to strike a balance in the music even as he saluted Trinidad and Tobago acts like Jahllano and Prince Swanny for keeping the dancehall genre alive and telling the stories of life in Trinidad.
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.
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Grenada's Blaka Dan on the road with YUMA in Trinidad and Tobago.
Leave a Reply