Ebuzz News
The Lost Tribe Set to Shake Off Heaviness of The Past, With ‘Fly’ in 2024. Here’s The Launch Details!
On Friday, July 21st, THE LOST TRIBE will launch its Carnival 2024 presentation, “Fly”, at Adam Smith Square, Woodbrook. The 2023 Large Band of the Year winner will reveal its costumes at the end of the Sunset Theatre, a theatrical and cultural street parade that marks the start of SunsetWKN, the TRIBE Group’s launch of Carnival 2024.
According to THE LOST TRIBE’s band leader and Creative Director, Valmiki Maharaj, this year was the perfect opportunity to try a new approach to launching the band.
“This year we’re celebrating twenty years of TRIBE, twenty years of innovation in the Carnival industry and so, as part of that, THE LOST TRIBE wanted to launch as we never have before – on the street, free to the public, an immersive experience in the Band Launch Capital, during a time that has become known as the band launch season of Trinidad and Tobago.”
Sunset Theatre, which precedes the launch of THE LOST TRIBE’s costumes, is also free to the public and starts at Ana Street at 7 pm.
The event, which debuted in 2022 in the inaugural SunsetWKN, drew throngs of spectators to Ariapita Avenue, with performances staged at various corners along the avenue, celebrating each of Trinidad and Tobago’s myriad of cultural influences.
For Maharaj, it is a fitting juxtaposition of the two brands. He said, “Sunset Theatre is a very LOST TRIBE-infused product from the TRIBE Group. Last year we introduced the concept to resoundingly positive feedback from the public, many of whom came with their families to enjoy the show. Sunset Theatre celebrates our culture in the way that THE LOST TRIBE seeks to celebrate those aspects of Trinbagonian identity through mas. Many of our dancers and performers also work with us on the road for Carnival, so really, this is like a reunion and a precursor to the road. We’re very fortunate to have the support of our corporate partner CARIB Brewery, and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, who understood the vision and enabled us to execute it again this year,” he said.
Sunset Theatre concludes at Adam Smith Square at 8 pm, after which THE LOST TRIBE’s 2024 costumes will take flight. The theme for 2024, “Fly” is inspired by the winged fauna of Trinidad and Tobago, both literally and figuratively.
Maharaj said, “After 202WE, when we fashioned our costumes after affirmations and our vision for the future, we figured it was time to shake off the heaviness of the last few years and take to the sky. If there is one thing you can count on our masqueraders to do is embody a theme, so I am looking forward to seeing the lightness of being that comes with playing mas, the euphoria of the road stretched in front of you, and the very real joy we feel in finding our flock. “Fly” is also dedicated to TRIBE and their twenty years of making room for us to spread our wings and explore all the corners of this world we call Carnival.”
Music News
Vybz Kartel To Headline Reggae Sumfest This Year, Alongside Mavado. New Album, ‘God & Time’ Set for June Release.
One of the most influential artists in dancehall history, Vybz Kartel, marks a defining new chapter with his forthcoming album God & Time, slated for release June 5th, 2026.
In recent weeks, dancehall artiste, Vybz Kartel has been receiving some backlash online after sharing videos of himself wearing a bonnet while dancing in his underwear and a robe. The noise increased after he shared it a second time, almost taunting his detractors and making it clear that he is rich and does not care for the unsolicited comments of naysayers. Fast forward days later and like magic, the artiste’s pre-album release publicity stunt ushers in the release of his forthcoming album God & Time, set for a June 5th release. Kartel ain’t no fool.
The upcoming album is symbolic for the artiste who spent 13 years behind bars in Jamaica and was only released in 2024. It is being touted as his most personal and sonically expansive body of work since his release. The album will span genres and features an all star lineup of artistes including, Puerto Rican superstar Farruko, Jamaica’s Skillibeng, and Shenseea, with more artistes to be included.
In a media release, it is highlighted that throughout God & Time, Vybz Kartel moves seamlessly between personal reflections, hard-hitting dancehall anthems, sensual records for the ladies, genre-bending crossover records, and rare moments of vulnerability. It adds that it is inspired by the Jamaican expression “God & Time”—rooted in faith, patience, and destiny—and reflects the artiste’s survival, rebirth, and creative freedom.
The title track evokes the same introspective tone as Kartel’s most streamed post-release hit “God Is The Greatest,” which has surpassed 30 million video views year-to-date.
Produced by longtime collaborator TJ Records alongside Kartel, the album reunites the creative team behind Viking (Vybz Is King) (2015) and King of the Dancehall (2016), which included the RIAA Gold-certified hit “Fever.” God & Time will be released via TJ Records / Vybz Kartel Muzik and distributed by Zojak World Wide.
In support of the new album, Vybz Kartel will headline Reggae Sumfest on July 18th, alongside Mavado, reuniting two dancehall icons whose rivalry defined the genre throughout the 2000s in a landmark moment for Jamaican music and culture.
Ebuzz News
Denise Belfon Thanks Drake’s ‘OVO’ Team for Inclusion of Her ‘Work’ on New Track.
Canadian rapper, Drake is once again teaming up with Caribbean entertainers, delivering a brand new album called, ‘Maid of Honor,’ which is now available on all streaming platforms. It was one of three albums the artiste simultaneously dropped on May 15th – the other two being ICEMAN and HABIBTI.
One of the singles on ‘Maid of Honor,’ called ‘BBW’ features the work of Trinidad and Tobago entertainer, Denise ‘Saucy Wow’ Belfon – her 1998 track, ‘Work.’
The lyrics, ‘Put Yuh Back in It’ became a trending expression on TikTok in 2020 when it became a challenge on the popular platform. That viral opportunity six years ago, led to the song’s resurgence and Belfon’s name being called by younger generations whose parents, aunts and uncles would’ve more than likely grown up on her music and performances in the Caribbean. Fast forward to 2026, and Belfon is once again enjoying a viral moment as news broke that her song had been sampled by Drake. “Everything is legitimate and I want to thank the team – Fabian Alfonso, a copyright specialist out of Trinidad and Tobago ; He was very instrumental in making this deal become reality, said Belfon in a chat with Ebuzztt, before expressing gratitude to several other instrumental people, and Drake’s OVO team.
In 2022, dancehall artiste, Shenseea and rapper, Megan Thee Stallion also sampled ‘Work’ on the single, ‘Lick.’ Belfon, who lives in New York, had, at that time, attended a release party at a nightclub in New York, where Shenseea acknowledged the Soca artiste’s influence on the new release.
The Maid of Honor album delivers 14 singles and added to T&T’s Denise Belfon, Jamaican artiste, Popcaan is also featured on a single called, ‘Amazing Shape.’
Denise Belfon’s personality and charisma has, for a very long time, made her a fan favorite in the Caribbean. A vocal powerhouse and unique stage performer, she has stood the test of time in the Soca music industry, having created massive soca anthems like ‘Work,’ ‘Wine and Bend Over’ and ‘Wining Queen’ among countless other flavorful singles.
