International Buzz
Archived: Angela, Rihanna, Heather, Fay-Ann React. Two Black Men Shot Dead in America This Week.
“At this point if you ain’t angry as a black person you’re just as guilty” – Angela Hunte
Alton Sterlin was shot dead by police in Louisiana on Tuesday
Philando Castile was shot dead by a police officer in Minnesota on Wednesday.
Two African American men have been killed at the hands of white police officers in America, in the past two days. There has been an outcry, crossing borders, with the hope that justice will come and the unfair handling of black people by white police officers, will end.
Angela Hunte questions the killing of two black men this week in America.
37 year old Alton Sterling was shot dead by police officers in the Baton Rouge area of Louisiana on Tuesday. His death was followed by the senseless shooting and subsequent death of Philander Castile after he was pulled over by an officer in Falcon Heights, Minnesota on Wednesday. (CLICK LINKS TO READ MORE)
Brooklyn, New York born Angela Hunte, whose parents are Trinbagonian, is just one of many people across the world who’ve spoken out in condemnation of this week’s shootings. T&T’s Nicki Minaj has also made her voice heard, saying:
“Will thereby conviction now? Probably not. #RIPAltonSterling. Hug the people you love a little tighter. Tell them you love them a little more often.”
Tony and Grammy award winning singer and actress, Trinidad and Tobago born, Heather Headley posted the following image to Instagram. In her caption she said, “Jesus Wept! And so am I…”
Barbados born Rihanna too has voiced her anger over the situation. Her subtle statement reads, “RIP Alton Sterling #howmanymore”
Fay-Ann Lyons with Major Lazer’s Diplo in the US.
In Trinidad and Tobago, soca artiste, Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez who often travels to the US, like many other Caribbean entertainers, showed her disdain for the situation, saying:
“Sad is the day, sad is the hour, sad is the second when a death brings a million arguments and a million opinions… But at the end of the day… sad be the day.”
In essence, her words expressed the fact that regardless of how the situation is looked at, lives have been lost. Her sentiment echoed the consistent reaction by black America that #blacklivesmatter.
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International Buzz
Trinidad and Tobago’s Kes The Band Shares Feel Good Soca Vibes on NPR Music’s Tiny Desk.
Internationally acclaimed, Trinidad and Tobago band, KestheBand scored big points, delivering a vibrant, culturally rich performance on NPR Tiny Desk Concerts. The pre-recorded showcase was uploaded to YouTube, for the viewing enjoyment of over 12 million, on Friday, May 8th. It was recorded at NPR Music Headquarters in Washington, DC.
The set featured classic Soca hits including ‘Hello’, ‘Fallin’, ‘Rum and Coca Cola’, ‘Jolene’, ‘Cocoa Tea’, ‘Wotless‘ and ‘Savannah Grass’. Also featured in the spotlight were three other Caribbean musical superheroes – Calypso Queen, Terri Lyons, Ace pannist, Dane Gulston and St. Lucia’s very own, Teddyson John. Their accompaniment added both visual and acoustic appeal to the showcase, likewise the men who musically embellish Kes The Band.
Lead vocalist of Kes the Band, Kees Dieffenthaller, reflecting on the historic moment for the band, said it was an honor. “Performing at Tiny Desk is an incredible honour that we’ve dreamed of for a very long time. This moment is a powerful reminder of how far Caribbean music can travel when it stays true to its roots. To strip it down, feel every note, and share that energy with the world in such an intimate space—it’s something we’ll carry with us for the rest of this journey.” Dieffenthaller added, “We are vessels of sound and song, and this moment is so much bigger than us: it’s about our culture, our people, and our joyful connection we bring through music.”
NPR Tiny Desk host and series producer Bobby Carter praised the band’s performance. He need that Kes the Band brought something truly special to the NPR Tiny Desk, defining that special something as a sound that feels both deeply rooted and globally resonant. He said that ahead of Caribbean American Heritage Month, celebrated across the US throughout June, Kes The Band’s performance is a celebration of Caribbean culture in its most dynamic form.
The outstanding showcase comes as KestheBand completes the European/UK leg of the ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour, which officially kicked off in Paris, France on April 30th – including historic sold-out dates in London and a double-run in Amsterdam. The tour, hosted in collaboration with Live Nation and WME, is set to kickstart its North American journey with Seattle, Washington State on May 28th and marks the beginning of an expansive international journey connecting audiences through Caribbean sound and spirit.
