Ebuzz News
Music Is His Therapy. The Iron Man, Shurwayne Winchester Shows Strength Amid Painful Reality.
An unbelievable outcome for a son of Tobago whose both parents meant the world to him. For months, Soca star, Shurwayne Winchester had been giving back to his parents, the love and attention that they had poured into him from birth to adulthood. Ailing, his mother, a very private woman, had once requested that her superstar son never again post her image to social media. He had vowed to do as she requested. Privately, Shurwayne and his brothers and other family members dealt with what they had to.
On Saturday, Winchester texted his friend and PR agent, Aba Luke with the words, “Aba, I wanted to tell you instead of someone else. My dad died. I am now leaving the funeral home.” The shock was palpable. You see, while Shurwayne’s mom had been ailing, there was no thought that his father would pass away so suddenly. The shock was further exacerbated when, amid the ongoing personal arrangements and professional commitments to his annual Addiction All Inclusive event in Arima, news came from Tobago that the artiste’s mother had also passed away. Shurwayne had known just before hitting the stage at Addiction. No one would know of his internal fight until the event had ended. Shurwayne Winchester is strength personified.
On Sunday night, a charitable commitment made weeks prior, would see the artiste head to the Centre of Excellence. He showed very little emotion amid all that he was shouldering and went on to bring smiles, excitement, laughter and joy to the crowd who’d made it out to the event. His song, “Carnival Please Stay,” verbalized a bit of what he felt, internally accepting his fate and that of his parents, but holding firm to his talent, his gift, the elements of his personality that he had shared throughout his entire life with both his parents, all as they silently looked on from the background, proud of their ‘Bago boy!
Ebuzztt takes this time to express love and support to Shurwayne Winchester – a mammoth artiste with a soft but enduring heart. The outpouring of condolences and best wishes on social media from fans overseas and locally, has been unprecedented. “Shurwayne is one of the greatest human beings that I know. This is hard on him to say the least, but for now, he is coping by pouring into the season, what he can, keeping himself busy and doing what he must do in the aftermath of this inconceivable tragedy,”’said Aba Luke.
Winchester’s event on Sunday saw the likes of Yung Bredda, Skinny Banton, MX Prime, Wadicks, Nailah Blackman, Jus D, Amrika, RKG and Edwin Yearwood rally in support of their colleague in the industry. As usual, the down-home vibe and authentic energy was unmatched.
Ebuzz News
Jamaica’s Mavado to Receive Lifetime Award at IRAWMA Awards This Year.
David Brooks, best known as dancehall artiste, Mavado is set to be honored at this year’s 43rd International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA) awards on May 17th, in South Florida. He’ll be presented with the Special Lifetime Achievement Award which represents a celebration of resilience, dominance and legacy.
In a statement, the organizers noted that Mavado is known for his unmistakeable voice, global influence and cultural impact. “Mavado has transcended borders, elevating Dancehall to international acclaim,” the statement reads.
In addition to this night of IRAWMA’s celebration of excellence in reggae and world music, globally renowned dancehall superstar, VYBZ Kartel tops the list of more than 150 nominees with 11 nods, and competing against himself in some of the categories, he is followed by Sean Paul and Shaggy with 8 nominations, each.
On the female side, Spice, Lila Ike, and Shenseea tied with 5 nominations each. Hosted by a dynamic lineup including Comedian Dufton Shepherd, Marcia Jackson, and Oliver Mair, the evening promises electrifying performances, unforgettable tributes, and a room filled with icons, tastemakers, and industry leaders.
In a show of gratitude for his conscious musical contribution, Gramps Morgan will be recognized for his song “People Like You,” highlighted as the most outstanding Spiritually Uplifting Song since the new Millennium.Gramps will join a distinguished class of honorees including Burning Spear, Wayne Armond, and Awilo Longomba—each representing excellence across genres and generations.
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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Caribbean Buzz1 week agoThe Bar Is Being Set. Flowers All Inclusive to Up The Game in Point Fortin, This Weekend.
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Ebuzz News4 days agoJamaica’s Mavado to Receive Lifetime Award at IRAWMA Awards This Year.
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International Buzz2 days agoTrinidad and Tobago’s Kes The Band Shares Feel Good Soca Vibes on NPR Music’s Tiny Desk.