Trinidad & Tobago soca stars KES (aka KES THE BAND) invite viewers to experience a vintage slice of island life in the video for their latest single, “Jolene.” Trinidadian filmmaker Maya Cozier (She Paradise) directed the nostalgic visuals, which center the song in a small Caribbean fishing village, circa mid-20th century.
There we find KES frontman Kees Diefenthaller — also known as KES — competing with other villagers to win the affection of the track’s namesake character. The clip captures the rich, lulling rhythm of island life, with images of fishing, coconuts, dancing and rum, while taking inspiration from Brazil’s ‘60s-era cinema novo movement with its vibrant saturated colors and period attire.
A blend of soca, afrobeats, calypso and island pop flavors produced by British-Trinidadian producer Dwala, “Jolene” is the first taste of KES’ next full-length album, coming this Summer through California-based Ineffable Records.
The buoyant celebration of good vibes and rolling waistlines arrives amidst Trinidad & Tobago’s traditional Carnival season — a time of year when soca artists typically roll out new music to soundtrack the season’s coming festivities. With Carnival celebrations on pause for a second year, KES reached outside the box to create a record that could pull listeners from around the world into the Caribbean, no matter where they find themselves in the world.
“I wanted to transport you to a place where, even if you’ve never been to the islands before, you would feel like you are there,” KES says. “The Caribbean is a melting pot of cultures and people together in this beautiful place, and this song captures all of these vibes.”
Cozier, whose music video credits include Kranium’s “In Charge” and Freetown Collective’s “Human Form,” earned widespread acclaim in 2021 with her debut feature film, She Paradise. The soca-fueled, coming-of-age story, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, was distributed theatrically this past fall by Samuel Goldwyn Films.
“I’ve always been a huge fan of Kes, and when I heard the song I got excited,” Cozier says of “Jolene.” “I immediately thought of calypso, and wanted to capture that time period.” Shot in Las Cuevas, a fishing village on Trinidad’s secluded North Coast, the video’s imagery takes cues from documentary footage of Trinidad & Tobago in calypso’s 1950s heyday; Brazilian director Glauber Rocha’s 1962 film Barrevento; and Trinidad & Tobago’s folkloric theater tradition.
In spite of the pandemic, recent times have brought a string of highlights for KES. 2021 saw the band make its U.S. TV debut on Late Night with Steven Colbert, and return to the States for their first tour dates in over two years, including their climactic IzWe concert in New York City, which brought nearly 10,000 fans to Brooklyn’s Boardwalk Lot on Labor Day. In August 2020, they released the live album We Home (Ineffable Records), a project which earned them plaudits in outlets ranging from Essence to The FADER.
Over the last two years, the band has organized a run of virtual concerts that have aired live on TV across the Caribbean and streamed worldwide ontheir YouTube channel, timed to key dates on Trinidad & Tobago’s cultural calendar.
Trinidad and Tobago gospel dancehall artiste JrDynamite is opening up about some of life’s toughest emotional battles on his latest single, Fake Energy.
Produced by Adrian “Always Kreative” Emily, the track blends smooth dancehall rhythms with JrDynamite’s signature sing-jay style to deliver a message that is both deeply personal and widely relatable. Through honest storytelling, the artiste explores feelings of disappointment, isolation, and self-doubt while encouraging listeners to remain grounded in faith.
At its core, Fake Energy examines the challenges of identifying genuine support in a world often filled with superficial connections. The song reflects on loyalty, appreciation, and the search for authentic relationships, all while asking difficult questions about who truly stands by us during life’s most challenging moments.
While the message is universal, the track also shines a light on the emotional struggles many men face as they carry responsibilities while feeling unseen or underappreciated. JrDynamite uses the song to create space for reflection, vulnerability, and healing without losing the uplifting spirit that defines his music.
Anchored by faith and resilience, Fake Energy reminds listeners that even when human relationships disappoint, strength and purpose can still be found through God’s unwavering love.
With its soulful melodies, introspective lyrics, and polished production, Fake Energy continues JrDynamite’s mission of creating music that not only entertains but also inspires listeners to protect their peace, recognize their worth, and keep moving forward.
The vibrant sounds of classic dancehall and contemporary reggaeton collide on “De Shot Call (Remix),” a dynamic new collaboration from Trinidad and Tobago recording artist General Grant and versatile entertainer Mr. Renzo.
.Designed to ignite dancefloors while honoring the rich musical heritage of the Caribbean, the track blends the raw, energetic spirit of early 1990s dancehall with the infectious grooves and global appeal of modern reggaeton. The result is a high-energy anthem that bridges generations, cultures, and musical styles.
Inspired by the golden era of dancehall that helped shape Caribbean music culture, “De Shot Call (Remix)” reimagines that signature sound through a contemporary lens. The production delivers nostalgic undertones while embracing the polished rhythms and vibrant energy that resonate with today’s audiences.
For General Grant, the project continues his commitment to preserving and evolving authentic Caribbean music. Widely respected for his contributions to the dancehall and reggae landscape, he brings his signature delivery and commanding presence to the remix, reinforcing the song’s connection to the genre’s roots.
Joining him is Mr. Renzo, a singer, songwriter, and entertainer whose career spans more than two decades. Recognized for his ability to blend Caribbean, Latin, pop, and urban influences, Mr Renzo adds a fresh and modern dimension to the track, helping to create a sound that transcends borders and appeals to a broad international audience.
Together, the two artists showcase how Caribbean music continues to evolve while remaining grounded in its traditions. “De Shot Call (Remix)” serves as a celebration of that journey, highlighting the seamless transition from dancehall’s formative years to Reggaeton’s current global prominence.
The single was executive produced by Lawrence Adams – Mr. Renzo, who also co-wrote the track alongside Curtis Grant – General Grant. Recording and editing duties were handled by Stephon Gabriel, while engineer Ovy Thouni delivered the song’s polished mix and master.
With its infectious rhythm, energetic performances, and cross-generational appeal, “De Shot Call (Remix)” is positioned to become a favourite among fans of Caribbean music and lovers of dancefloor-ready hits alike.
Whether you’re a longtime dancehall enthusiast or a fan of today’s reggaeton movement, this collaboration offers the perfect soundtrack to turn up the volume and celebrate the enduring influence of Caribbean music.
“De Shot Call (Remix)” is now available for audiences ready to experience the fusion of old-school dancehall energy and modern reggaeton flavor.
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