Caribbean Buzz
Rane Is Ready! Artiste Steps In Strong into Carnival 2025.
Talented and humble enough to know that she’s still got work to put in, Rane Blackman is making every opportunity count. The US based soca artiste is reeling off the success of a single released for Barbados’ Cropover this year- a track called, ‘Careless,’ produced by Barbados’ DJ Ky. She said she never expected the single to do as well as it did,and now she is leveraging on that unexpected boost, maintaining her standard and pushing hard into 2025.
Rane Blackman is a woman of tremendous tact. Personable, passionate and undeniably driven, the T&T born artiste who also wears a military hat as a member of the US military, says she takes nothing for granted. In 2024, having delivered three singles for T&T Carnival, she made her way back to the US where she opened for Nadia Batson at her Artform event in New York City and subsequent to that, she hit the stage at Vibes with Voicey on Labor Day in New York. Her growth over the past few years is owed in part to continued networking and strategic planning. In fact, when the opportunity arose for Rane to enter the Bajan Cropover market, she jumped at the chance. “Careless did really well in Barbados. I worked with DJ Ky who is a well-known producer there and that really helped me to get a foot in the door with other artistes, songwriters and DJs. I really think it’s beneficial for artistes to collaborate with producers and other creatives outside of their traditional spaces,” said Rane, highlighting that doing so, shows an artiste’s versatility and ability to delve into other musical sounds.
Her music over the past few years have been carefully selected, blending well on the Groovy music vein. In fact, in 2024, one single in particular, ‘Let We Go,’ on the Sass Riddim, after being road-remixed by producer and DJ Shot Master J, was picked up by someone in Spain and used in Zumba choreography, which subsequently led to the song being shared and used around several countries, including Germany. “I allow my music to do what it will. My songs have always been received well outside of the traditional Soca spaces,” said the artiste, adding, “Right now, ‘Let We Go’ is playing hard in Korea and Japan. It feels good to know that people who do not event speak English, are enjoying my music.”
Earlier this year, Rane took a leap of faith with an idea she had for a live interaction with Soca music lovers around the world. She told her team she wanted to showcase the real ‘behind the scenes’ of the industry of which she’s a part. She decided to call it ‘Behind the Soca’ and invited fellow creatives in the Soca space to share experiences and history about being in the industry on Instagram Live, with her as a host. The show, which was initially marketed as a bi-weekly programme, took off. “The reception has been overwhelming. Sometimes the interviews go on for hours and it’s because the viewers are so engaged,” said Rane. “The history shared by some of the artistes has been really educational for me as well,” she admitted, highlighting that she has spoken with people like songwriter Jason ‘Shaft’ Bishop, producer David Millien of Millbeatz Entertainment, artiste and promoter, Rome and even dancehall and Soca sensation, Lady Lava.
Effectively marrying her artistic ability with her understanding of what online audiences crave, Rane has created a show that she says works well for the exposure of everyone involved, including herself. “Since I started doing the show, I’ve had to go from twice per month to weekly because people are eager to be part of it,” she said, noting that guest requests by fellow creatives, have been consistent.
Now, as Trinidad and Tobago carnival 2025 opens its curtains, Rane is ready to rumble once again, delivering four singles, the Barbados favorite, ‘Careless,’ ‘Doh Fraid,’ which was produced by Nyce Nation, ‘So Hot’ produced by Body Rock and Shot Master J and finally, ‘Free Up,’ which was written by Jason ‘Shaft’ Bishop and produced by Keelan “Azaryah” Callender. “So Hot’ has been doing really well,” said the artiste, recalling the words of the late Devon Matthews. “Devon once told me it’s the song we least expect to take off, that often surprises us.”
Rane Blackman is definitely an artiste to watch in the season ahead, this as she cements her name in the industry one single at a time. “No matter what, I’ll continue to pour my heart and soul into this music because this music is the joy that sustains so many of us, every day.”
As the artiste’s journey continues apace, she encourages music lovers to follow her @muzic_rane on Instagram.
Caribbean Buzz
The Bar Is Being Set. Flowers All Inclusive to Up The Game in Point Fortin, This Weekend.
It’s a brand new concept being brought to life, in Point Fortin, however its impact, according to organizers, is already proving immense. The annual Point Fortin Borough celebrations, culminates this weekend and on Sunday, an event with a bigger purpose at heart, is anticipated to draw a massive crowd to fete, for the greater good.
Naya George and Anson George spoke exclusively with Ebuzztt.com ahead of the all inclusive experience. They’re excited to see their vision come to life. Anson, a well known name on the carnival and entertainment circuit, is known for his strong involvement in the BeachHouse Carnival brand. “It’s going to be on par with BeachHouse,” he assured, asserting ‘Flowers’ as the new ‘must attend’ fete in Borough Day festivities. “There are other events happening on Sunday in Point Fortin but there’s no other event of this caliber, happening,” said Anson, explaining that a few tickets are still available for those who still want to get in.
For Naya, the effort is less about business, and more about purpose. “We are partying with a purpose. We want to let people know that this isn’t just about feting. This is the only party that’s happening in Point Fortin that’s giving back to Point Fortin,” he explained, adding that proceeds will go toward investment in the young people. “The first set of projects will be at the Point Fortin West Secondary School where the event is being held. We are going to revitalize the sports programme, playing field restoration, sporting equipment and that kind of stuff, to ensure the youths have a place to find themselves in the area of sports. Flowers is the premiere fund raiser to do these things,” said George.
Set to welcome fete lovers from 5pm on Sunday at the Point Fortin West Secondary School, Flowers will feature a cast of talented artistes, inclusive of Nadia Batson and Lyrikal. “We want to raise fund in style and with high quality at heart, hence the reason the event’s caliber is high. This is going to be a first for Point Fortin,” said Naya George.
The Point Fortin Borough experience is widely attended, with a series of cultural events leading up to the weekend of excitement that is anticipated by locals and visitors alike, each year. “Flowers has set the tone for the Borough Day evolution I think,” said Naya George. “Fusion came to an end last night,” noted Anson. He said the cultural extravaganza, which was similar to Carnival’s Flava Village, was a huge success and noted the wide variety of cultural traditions, shared between April 25th and April 30th. “If people can jump on a plane to experience Grenada carnival, we are certain they can come from West and North Trinidad to enjoy the Point Fortin Borough activities,” said Anson, making it clear that ahead of the upcoming weekend, hotel and guest house occupancy is already high.
“Borough is like a second carnival,” said Anson. He said there are fetes happening throughout the day on Friday. “When you come, you get a taste of everything you get in carnival. You get the fetes, the all inclusive, the jouvert, the street food, the culture,” he highlighted, and this year, for the very first time, fans of culture, creativity and altruism, will fete with purpose at Flowers – a distinct, top tier, premium all inclusive experience in the heart of the borough.
Tickets for the event are available online at Stacy’s House Of Hair – Point Fortin, Atherley’s By The Park – San Fernando, Terminal 4 – Long Circular Mall and online at theticketgeneral.com.
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