Caribbean Buzz
Taking A Stance for The Youth with Righteousness. Queen Omega Is Ready to Fight.
A Queen she is.
The name Queen Omega is well respected globally. A woman of strong conviction, yet humble and unpretentious, she knows the power she wields when she stands in a studio booth behind a microphone. On Saturday, December 9th, she will break all chains and barriers at Skinner Park, in San Fernando when she hosts, ‘Queens Awakening.’ The concert is being touted as one to re-ignite goodness in the hearts of her people at home, in Trinidad and Tobago.
“The Queen’s Awakening is really to bring an awakening to the people. There was a time when conscious music was the music played on radio. I would like to bring this consciousness back to T&T, especially with the crime and violence we are seeing right now,” she told Ebuzztt. She added, “love must be promoted to the people, now more than ever.”
Queen Omega has been a celebrated female reggae artiste around the world, for many years. Her vocal strength and powerful cadence places her in a category of her own. She has toured internationally and shared stages globally with major reggae artistes out of Jamaica, however she laments that even with this level of global appeal and recognition, many of Trinidad and Tobago’s people still think that she is Jamaican. “I’m not known in Trinidad as much as I’m known internationally. People still think that I’m from Jamaica. Many people don’t know that I was born in Trinidad until they listen to my songs so I think this is a good opportunity to let Trinbago know the gem that they have,” she proclaimed.
In 2022, Queen Omega was called on stage by reggae artiste, Luciano, at the Redemption concert in Trinidad. Her star power shone brightly then, and much will be the same when she hits the stage at Queens Awakening on the weekend. “The people can expect, Chantuelle Queen, Kushite, Stephanie Joseph, NISA, Sister Efa, Larva Marva from Jamaica and more, along with two additional artistes, out of Jamaica,” Lutan Fyah and Iba Mahr,” she said. She also guaranteed that fans could expect an hour long performance from her, alongside the Kornerstone Band.
THE MUSIC OF TODAY
With her Spotify streaming numbers certainly proving her musical excellence- the artiste having achieved some 25 million streams and 1.2 million new listeners in 2023, Queen Omega still expressed her personal concern for the musical energy being touted. “Trinidad is like a melting pot of talent and I really appreciate that, but I can see the impact the music has – the New Age music, what we call the TriniBad, which is a break-off of dancehall. I just wish it could be more positive content because we can see that it is really doing something to the minds of the youths,” she highlighted. The artiste who recently achieved SONY Music recognition for a dub plate done, that has since gone viral, said, “music is a weapon.” “Music is a powerful tool. It can be misused. It can be abused. If we use it in the right way, it can bring healing effect and if we use it in the wrong way, definitely it can have some detrimental effects,” she warned.
The San Fernando, Trinidad native continued her expression of concern, lamenting that the youths who are listening to this type of music, are proving this point. “The youths are listening to this type of music and if you watch their behavior right now, they are very vile,” she pointed out. Explaining that artistes often reason with each other on such topics and concerns, she went on to note that at the end of it all, it comes down to individual choice, as artistes. “Somebody can only write according to their personal experiences so for instance, if someone had a hard life, or if they were around violence, they would write about that but then that is where the gift comes in now, where you can still take that negative energy and put it in a positive way.”
Likening artistes to alchemists, Queen Omega reminded her fellow songwriters and entertainers that they have the power to take negative energy and transform it into positive music. “We take a bad thing and make a song out of it and make people dance- and still feel a good vibes about it and this is the power of music,” she said.
A MESSAGE FOR WOMEN
Her travels vast, Queen Omega says coming from Trinidad and Tobago, she is always proud to highlight to her audiences that she is from this little twin island. “The highlight of my travels is always to let people know where I am from – to let them know that Trinidad is a little island but we full of vibes – calypso, soca and of course, reggae, because here I am, Queen Omega. I am the female reggae ambassador of my island.”
Giving tremendous kudos to her fellow female reggae artistes, Queen Omega took the opportunity to remind women of their worth. “I want to tell Trinidad and Tobago’s women, you have to love yourselves. You have to love yourselves so much and set the trend that you all must be beaming love, shining love and anybody and everybody that comes around you will feel that love and give you that respect because love comes with respect, honor, humility and peace. Once you are on that level as a woman, you will be respected, you will respect yourself, you will carry about yourself modestly,” she said. The artiste further explained that the old adage, “women are to be seen and not heard,” simply means that a woman should not have to use her voice to be recognized, because a woman’s mere presence should be enough to command the attention of others. She said this could only be achieved when a woman searches her soul and loves herself.
Excited about what lies in wait, even beyond Saturday’s event, Queen Omega told EBUZZTT that her recent success with the ‘No Love’ dubplate done with Little Lion Sound, is quite exciting. “SONY music has now made the dub plate a song and this is the first time in history that a dub plate is being made a song. Not even a Jamaican artiste has ever achieved that.” The dub plate achieved some 33 million digital views and as a result, SONY has officially placed the song for purchase on all major music platforms. “It’s a blessing. No time ever in the history of reggae or dancehall, was a dub plate made a song,” she said happily. “This will open many, many doors and I am prepared to walk through most, if not all of them,” she assured.
Queens Awakening will start at 2:30pm and end at 9pm on Saturday, December 9th. Tickets are currently on sale at a cost of $200 General Admission and $700 VIP.
Caribbean Buzz
Trinidad and Tobago, First to Host Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience, This September.
After three celebrated years at Brooklyn’s historic Kings Theatre, the Caribbean Music Awards (CMA) expands beyond the awards stage with the launch of the inaugural Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience, a destination celebration taking place September 18-20, 2026, in Trinidad & Tobago.
This year’s celebration unfolds under the theme, Sounds of the Caribbean, honoring the rhythms, voices, and cultural traditions that have shaped generations and continue to influence music around the world.
Photo Credit: Nikita Small
The Fourth Annual Caribbean Music Awards will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain, marking a milestone moment as the celebration expands into the Caribbean region for the first time.
The Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience will transform CMA from a single-night awards ceremony into a multi-day celebration bringing together artists, fans, industry professionals, creators, tastemakers, media, and cultural leaders from across the Caribbean and around the world.
What’s In Store
The Elite Weekend Experience will feature a series of events celebrating music, culture, and community throughout the destination. Festivities will include an exclusive Welcome Reception, pre-show experiences, the Fourth Annual Caribbean Music Awards, the official after-party, a special steelpan concert presented by Stars and Steel, and additional programming designed to celebrate Trinidad & Tobago’s cultural influence. Additional programming, partnerships, performers, presenters, and special announcements will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
The move to Trinidad & Tobago marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Caribbean Music Awards, while honoring the city where it all began. New York was the ideal birthplace for the Awards, home to one of the world’s largest and most influential Caribbean diaspora communities. It was there that the Caribbean Music Awards established its identity, built its audience, and proved there was a global appetite for a world-class celebration dedicated solely to Caribbean music and culture.
Photo Credit: Nikita Small
Over the past three years, Brooklyn’s iconic Kings Theatre became more than just the home of the Caribbean Music Awards. It became the launchpad for a movement that united artists, industry leaders, fans, and cultures from across the Caribbean and beyond, under one roof. The energy, ambition, entrepreneurial spirit, and relentless hustle that define New York City helped shape the DNA of the Caribbean Music Awards, and that spirit will remain embedded in the brand no matter where it travels.
Now, with a strong foundation established, the Caribbean Music Awards begins the next phase of its evolution by bringing the celebration directly to the Caribbean. As the inaugural host destination for the Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience, Trinidad & Tobago sets the stage for a long-term vision that will see the Awards partner with tourism boards and host destinations to spotlight a different Caribbean nation in future years. By rotating throughout the region, the Caribbean Music Awards aims to celebrate each destination’s unique culture, support tourism, create economic impact, and further strengthen the Caribbean’s creative economy while continuing to unite the global diaspora through music.
Majah Hype Returns, This Time With Nailah.
Bringing even more excitement to this year’s celebration, internationally celebrated Caribbean artiste, Nailah Blackman and acclaimed comedian, entertainer, and cultural personality Majah Hype will host the Fourth Annual Caribbean Music Awards, bringing their unique energy, charisma, and deep connection to Caribbean culture to the stage.
Photo Credit: Nikita Small
For Majah Hype, the 2026 ceremony marks his fourth consecutive year hosting the Caribbean Music Awards, making him one of the longest-standing personalities connected to the celebration. Having witnessed the Awards grow from its early years at Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre into a global platform for Caribbean excellence, Majah continues to bring the humor, passion, and cultural pride that have made him one of the Caribbean diaspora’s most beloved entertainers.
“Four years hosting the Caribbean Music Awards? Mi feel like dem haffi give me my own seat at this point!” said Majah Hype. “But seriously, being part of this journey from day one has been a blessing. I’ve watched this celebration grow, seen the incredible talent come through, and witnessed how much this moment means to our people. To see it expand from Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre to Trinidad & Tobago is something special. Caribbean culture is powerful, the talent is endless, and mi ready fi celebrate everybody who continues to carry our music and our culture to the world.”
For Nailah Blackman, this year’s ceremony represents a new chapter in her relationship with the Caribbean Music Awards. Having experienced the event as an attendee, performer, nominee, and winner, Nailah now steps into the role of host while continuing to be recognized as one of the leading voices in Caribbean music.
Photo Credit: Nikita Small
“The Caribbean Music Awards has been a special part of my journey,” said Nailah Blackman. “I’ve experienced this celebration as a fan, as a performer, as a nominee, and as a winner, and now being able to step into the role of host is truly an honor. To do it in Trinidad, surrounded by our people and our culture, makes this moment even more meaningful. I’m excited to celebrate the incredible artists who continue to push Caribbean music forward.”
Since launching in 2023, the Caribbean Music Awards has grown into one of the premier platforms celebrating Caribbean musical excellence, honoring artists across Dancehall, Reggae, Soca, Konpa, Chutney Soca, Zess, Dennery, Gospel, and emerging Caribbean genres. Last year’s ceremony marked a historic milestone with its BET broadcast debut, further expanding the Awards’ reach and strengthening its position as a leading global celebration of Caribbean music.
Following the announcement of more than 250 nominees across more than 40 categories earlier this year, anticipation continues to build toward what promises to be one of the biggest Caribbean Music Awards celebrations yet. This September, the Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience will bring together the sounds, stories, and cultures that have defined generations of Caribbean creativity, inviting audiences from around the world to experience this year’s theme, Sounds of the Caribbean, from the heart of one of the region’s most influential cultural destinations.
Caribbean Buzz
Terri Lyons Expands. Artiste Shows Immense Creativity on New RC Mas Monday Wear.
There’s no box to be held in. Terri Lyons is proving that as she moves into the Monday Wear market, partnering with RC Mas ahead of Carnival 2027.
The reigning Calypso Monarch Queen of Trinidad and Tobago and multiple time Queen of Queens, on Thursday, revealed her creative ability in the mas making sector, sharing her design, ‘Purple Paradise’ – a carefully created design that’s all hers.
The entertainer told Ebuzztt she had the idea and went to the masterful, Kinaji Couture, admitting that Kinaji is a force in the market. “She does a lot of bathing suits and prototypes for bands locally, regionally and further abroad. I knew she could do it and she did execute it perfectly. I just added the flowers,” said Lyons.
In 2027, RC Mas will bring Mystical Garden to life and with the band’s theme considered, Lyons’ floral embellishment makes it abundantly clear that her creativity is disciplined and mindful. She shared her process exclusively with Ebuzztt, highlighting the time taken to design with pen and paper before sharing with Kinaji who brought it all together seamlessly. “This was a lot of work. I sat and drew it all out and I stuck every flower and the diamond studs myself,” said Terri, before adding, “I ain’t doing that again,” with a laugh. The artiste said she’ll have extra hands on board to assist in future.