A legacy of being a real hardcore performer, Soca star Shurwayne Winchester is assuring women all over T&T, the region and the world, that he is prepared to give them all they need… Musically that is!
The entertainer has unleashed four songs, two collaboratively done with new artistes outside of T&T, and two brand new singles that are already making heads roll with excitement. ‘Bam Bam,’ produced by Mang Productions and Stone Livingston, was released last week and has been quickly followed up by ‘Iron Man’ on the Bess Box riddim, produced by Shot Master J and Kyle Phillips with Executive producer credit going to Mr. Bessor. Both songs are what Shurwayne calls, ‘tunes for the ladies.’ He makes it very clear that Carnival is woman and unapologetically argues that the more artistes move away from pleasing women, the less enjoyment we’ll see at fetes.
“Women are the heart and soul of Carnival. We love to see them move and enjoy the music. We have to start with them first, please them and when the hardcore music’s released for the real revelry, they’d have already been fed their sweetness. Then they’ll be ready to unleash their fire,” he said. Laughing at his statement, the artiste revealed a bit of his thought process when he sits down to write. “I always think of being the fetter. I think of how the person in the all-inclusive, or the cooler fete feels in the crowd, listening to the music, whether high on life or something else. I think of the man in the fete with his woman – how she may want to be held and danced with. A lot goes into writing and then when I hit the studio, the vocals are the additives really,” he shared.
One of Trinidad and Tobago’s true performers with unmatched vocals, Shurwayne says no matter what, he knows his place as an artiste, and will maintain his standard as a musician and a human being. “I don’t intend to sacrifice being the man that I am for clout or fame. The standard of artistry I’ve delivered over the years will be my legacy in time to come. For now, I want to continue pleasing and finessing these women. Many men aren’t doing that so I’ll take on the job.”
With still more music in his arsenal, the entertainer said he’s over just doing music for Carnival- for a season. “My aim is catalogue building. The bigger, the stronger the catalogue, the greater the value. I’ve done a lot of music, a lot of collaborations,” he said, recalling that he’s worked with Maxi Priest, Christopher Martin, Busy Signal, Major Laser, Serani, Destra, Baron, Bunji, Lord Nelson, Sparrow, David Rudder, Keida, Ultimate Rejects and so many other artistes. “When it comes to music, I really can’t contain what I have inside me. I have to always let it out. Most times, it’s for the ladies, but when the energy is unleashed, the fellas will always get something to get on bad to.”
Two other singles released in late October, ‘Up In Here’ featuring an artiste from Roatan by the name of Jhaytea and ‘Gyal Love Bend’ with It’s Jus from Barbados, Shurwayne says he believes in bringing new artistes into the spotlight, no matter where they’re from. “We all have something to offer the people. Music isn’t a one size fits all. There’s gonna be something sweet in a song that attracts one listener or 10, and another 5 just may not feel it. That’s why the people who share the music with the world have to understand that it’s not about how they personally feel about the song,” he explained.
From Christmas 2023, into Carnival 2024, Shurwayne’s pumping with adrenaline. Soca Parang, a genre of music with hits also in his arsenal, he says he’s just doing what comes natural to him. “There’s no forcing anything. I’m just doing what I love and I hope the people I’m doing it for will receive it in the same way.” Last weekend he got proof of their enjoyment of some of his new music during a trip to Toronto where he performed at a Soca Junkies event. “The ladies again!” he laughed. “The ladies will always be ready for Shurwayne. I love them for that!”
He had one of the most memorable Carnival seasons with a Soca track that stole the hearts of Soca lovers in 2026 and now Aaron ‘Voice’ St. Louis is set to represent hard for the Soca music genre at the upcoming ‘Best of the Best’ Music Festival in Miami on May 26th. His appearance will be his debut to the highly anticipated festival and already, the energy is high.
Voice makes his debut at Best of the Best 2026.
Voice represents the bridge between Millennial Soca and GenZ vibes. ‘Cyah Behave Mehself’ was lapped up like good Caribbean food at Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago back in February, and it is expected to do the same as the international summer season approaches.
Set to take place on May 26th at Museum Park, Downtown Miami, Voice’s inclusion on the cast underscores the Soca genre’s continued global reach within a predominantly reggae and dancehall showcase. Known for his high energy performances and melodic songwriting, the Trinidad and Tobago three -time Soca Monarch King has built an extensive catalogue of hits that that has proven to resonate with a global audience.
Organizers say anticipation for Voice’s performance at Best of the Best, is high. “Fans are looking forward to a dynamic set that brings soca’s signature energy to the festival stage.”
Best of the Best Music Fest remains one of North America’s premiere Caribbean music events, drawing fans from across the region and Diaspora for a full day of live performances. This year’s lineup includes, Sizzla Kalonji, Beenie Man, Tarrus Riley, Capleton, Rajah Wild, Skeng, Vanessa Bling, among others.
Ahead of its 11th annual voyage in November, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruiseshares its story through a new film. VIBE premiered All in the Same Boat, a documentary directed by acclaimed filmmaker, Reshma B and produced by Boomshots TV that traces Marley and his manager Dan Dalton’s brainchild from a bold, outsider idea into one of the most culturally significant movements in reggae and dancehall today.
With over a decade’s worth of unforgettable moments pulled from the last 10 voyages, this 30+ minute documentary captures the spirit of a global reggae community built on shared identity, resilience, and reverence for Jamaican culture. It features iconic performances, real conversations with the artistes and DJs, and the heartbeat of it all: the “Jamrockers.” These are die-hard reggae lovers from over 40 countries who pull up every year for one reason – to feel that irreplaceable connection to Jamaican culture and keep the Marley message of “One Love” alive.
Having successfully navigated challenges including extreme weather and a global pandemic, the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise continues to thrive. Its 11th staging will return for its annual voyage from November 11th to the 16th, sailing from Miami aboard Norwegian Joy.
Stacked from foundation to future, this year’s lineup brings together reggae and dancehall’s most influential voices: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Stephen Marley (Traffic Jam Set), Burning Spear, Sizzla, Capleton, Beenie Man, Protoje, Barrington Levy, Elephant Man, Junior Reid, Lila Iké, Ding Dong & the Ravers Clavers, Tony Matterhorn “Man on the Moon”, Gyptian, 450, Richie Spice, Ghost, Mr. Lexx, Professor Nuts, L.U.S.T., Sister Carol, Sevana, Flourgon, Johnny P, and Jemere Morgan are confirmed.
The cruise’s famed Sound Clash at Sea will return alongside powerhouse sound systems including Stone Love (Geefus), King Jammy, Silverhawk Sound, Rory Stone Love, Renaissance Sound, Federation Sound, Warrior Sound, Rampage Sound, Kingston12 HiFi and Souljah1 Muzik, preserving a cornerstone of Jamaican music culture in its most authentic form.
Jamrock is a Premiere Reggae Event
The Jamrock experience has evolved into the premier reggae event at sea—one that continues to redefine how the culture is celebrated on a global stage. The five-day experience continues to immerse guests in the full spectrum of Jamaican life—from Nyabinghi sunrise sessions and sound bath meditations to dancehall workshops, fitness programming, and curated culinary offerings led by acclaimed Chef Lumley. A new addition this year includes a live theatrical production by legendary playwright Oliver Samuels, adding yet another layer to the cruise’s ever-expanding cultural canvas.
Beenie Man will be on the cruise in November.
Following the impact of Hurricane Melissa in 2025, the cruise will return to Jamaica with renewed purpose, maintaining its distinction as the only chartered cruise with two Jamaican port stops. That commitment translates into tangible impact, generating millions annually for the island’s tourism and cultural economy while reinforcing a direct connection between the music, the people, and the place that birthed it.
As All in the Same Boat makes clear, Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise is a movement with its own rhythm, one that continues to bring the diaspora home, while inviting the world in. Since its inception in 2014, the mission remains the same: to create a space where reggae lives, breathes, and connects us all.
The documentary made its debut during the 10th annual cruise and later screened at Art Basel in support of hurricane relief efforts led by the Marley family’s Ghetto Youths Foundation. Damian Marley and Dan Dalton were executive producers of the film.
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