For 16-year-old rising star, Jalessa Lazarus, this month has been bitter sweet. The teenager is set to release her new single, ‘Freedom,’ but even as she delivers musically, she is reminded of her grandmother who passed away in May this year, after being diagnosed with Breast Cancer. “She would always tell me I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” said the youngster as she reminisced on the encouragement, she often received from her family matriarch. 

Jalessa Lazarus is a talented, young entertainer in the Soca space, and even as her present focus is on the 2027 CXC examinations, her love for music abounds, and so she is still releasing the Teddy Rhymes penned, ‘Freedom,’ with hope of maintaining her standing in the music space in 2027. “This song is all about expressing yourself – encouraging enjoyment and appreciation for the culture of Trinidad and Tobago. I want people to really get to know what we here in T&T are all about – all that we have and all that we can share with the world,” said the artiste. 

The song was produced by Millbeatz Music – a familiar space for the entertainer, as she is also being taught to play the piano and guitar under the Millbeatz Entertainment umbrella – under the tutelage of Kevin Millien. “I’m trying my very best to do both music and school. CXC is serious. I have a time-table that helps me with balancing both my studies and music,” she explained. Jalessa is very aware of the importance of a good education. She has a good head on her shoulders, along with parents who keep her grounded, and guide her every step of the way. “I’m doing Maths, English Language, IT, Social Studies, Principles of Business and Office Administration,” she said, assuring that she will release more music upon the completion of her exams. “I want to be an inspiration to other young entertainers coming behind me. I also want to travel – take my music around the world,” she expressed, adding that she has dreams of stepping into the RnB arena one day – her inspiration being Adele. 

A proud student of the artform, under the tutelage of artistes like Preedy, Nailah Blackman, Patrice Roberts and Voice, Jalessa says she loves Soca music and thinks colourful language has no place in the genre. It’s a topic that is fast becoming a cause for concern according to some, this as more artistes experiment with the inclusion of expletives in their music. “I do not support colourful language in Soca. It’s unnecessary and I don’t think it should be used in our music – music that we are sharing with the world,” said the youngster. “I think Soca is a different type of music, from anything else. Music is generally a vibe. It’s therapy for people – our music is all about dancing, freeing up, dressing up in costumes and being happy; it’s happy music,” she added. 

Her groovy soca single, ‘Freedom,’ a true expression of her personality and what she wants the world to know about the land of her birth, Jalessa Lazarus continues to reach for the stars, all while drawing awareness to serious issues. “I want to take the time to extend hope and prayers to anyone who’s dealing with any type of cancer this month and everyday onward. God is always with you,” she said. 

Rooted in her culture and diligently focused on her future, Lazarus plans on releasing an EP and says even though she will sit out competitions in 2027, she will return after the completion of her CXC exams. Her mother, Phylesha meanwhile expressed immense pride in her daughter’s commitment and took a moment to thank Teddy Rhymes for his support and encouragement. “I don’t think she will be going back into junior competitions but we are looking beyond exams and I want to especially thank Teddy for believing in Jalessa and encouraging her.”

For more on Jalessa Lazarus, follow her on her on Instagram @jalessa_lazarus.  

Dominican Bouyon artiste Reo (Dario Sebastien) is heating up YouTube with his latest release, “Jolie BB,” a collaboration with Martinique’s Maurane Voyer.  In just a week since its release, the official music video racked up an impressive 115,000 plus views on YouTube, drawing attention to the song among French-speaking audiences and highlighting the potential for Bouyon to reach new listeners across Martinque and the wider French Caribbean.

Building Connections In the Name of Music.

For Reo, this represents an opportunity to build stronger connections between Dominica and Martinique, expand Bouyon’s reach and open new markets for Dominican artistes. “It’s a good opportunity to connect Dominica and Martinique. We don’t have that much of a relationship musically, so let’s do it to push Bouyon in Martinique and build that relationship,” Reo explained.

Voyer shares that vision. Already familiar with Reo’s music and a longtime admirer the Dominican genre, she saw the collaboration as an opportunity to bring their musical worlds together. “I was already familiar with Reo’s universe. I knew a lot of songs, and I always loved Bouyon music,” she said.

The two artistes met in July while performing at the same festival in Saint Barts. Voyer approached Reo about working together in the studio, and the idea soon became a reality when they reunited in Guadeloupe at HMC Studio, where the artistes began developing the song. 

Reo developed the concept for the song with Voyer contributing her vocals. The beat was produced by Guadeloupe’s own YSN and mixed in Dominica by Dernz (Dernel Green). Reo insisted on the addition of live drums to preserve Bouyon’s Dominican identity in the bi-lingual song. That distinction was particularly important to the collaboration. Voyer explained that the Bouyon most familiar to audiences in Martinique has traditionally come from Guadeloupe, while interest in the original Dominican sound has grown in recent years.

Taking A Look at What Unifies.

“In Martinique, the first Bouyon that we know is from Guadeloupe. And it’s maybe since three years that we are more and more interested in the real Bouyon, the Bouyon from Dominica,” she said. For her, the recording process also offered a valuable opportunity to explore the similarities and differences between their cultures. “It was very interesting to see what differences we have and also what brings us together. I really enjoyed it,” she said.

The creative partnership extended to the music video, where Reo contributed ideas that helped the team bring their vision to life within a short timeframe. The response has been encouraging. “I get a lot of messages from different kinds of people, women, men, of all kinds of ages. And I’m happy to see that they like the song, the radios too,” said Voyer.

Beyond the immediate response, both artistes hope the collaboration will encourage more musical exchanges between Caribbean territories that do not always connect as frequently as they could.  Stronger relationships with French Caribbean artistes, radio stations, DJs, promoters and audiences could create additional performance opportunities and revenue streams for Dominican Bouyon artistes seeking to expand their reach.

“Martinique for example, is another market for Bouyon artistes to build their fan base and get bookings. We can literally see Martinique from Dominica, it should not feel so far away,” he added.

The collaboration is particularly timely as Voyer prepares to visit Dominica for the World Creole Music Festival this weekend, where Reo will also perform. She described working with Reo ahead of her first visit to the island as an exciting opportunity to establish a musical connection before experiencing Dominica firsthand.

The release also builds on Reo’s recent international momentum following the success of his La Vie Dou Tour in New York and London. With previous million-view songs including “Sa Ka Bay” feat. DJ Bling (2.9m views), “Doudou” with Litleboy (3.8m views), “You Mad” (1.5m views), and La Vie Doux feat. T éhilah (2.8 m views), Reo continues to pursue opportunities to introduce his music to audiences outside Dominica.

With Jolie BB, Reo and Voyer have combined their respective musical influences to create a collaboration that celebrates both their differences and common ground. Its early YouTube performance provides an encouraging start, while the wider ambition is to turn that attention into lasting connections between the music communities of Dominica, Martinique and the wider Caribbean.

The official music video for “Jolie BB” by Reo featuring Maurane Voyer is available now on YouTube.