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Archived: ARTISTE DIRECT: Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez

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She’s that tough talking soca star that the entire world will know in time to come. In the Caribbean, she’s that celebrity that’s either loved and defended or hated for one reason or another but everyone knows just who she is. Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez is royalty in the world of Soca music. She has followed in the footsteps of her father- reigning Road March and Soca Monarch King, Austin ‘Superblue’ Lyons but don’t get it twisted, she has also forged her own road, winning multiple accolades in the said categories plus the International Groovy Soca Monarch competition. Last year, Fay-Ann challenged herself again- opting to re-enter the classroom in a bid to attain certification in the field of law. Her first series of examinations began last week and on Monday, she will be back in the testing room. We spoke with her for our Artiste Direct feature on Friday. Take a look at some of the answers she gave to our tough questions.

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What’s the toughest part of being the woman that you are?

Trying to get people to understand that I am not going to be explaining myself to them. Everybody has their own pre -conceived notions and they need to understand that I am fine with that. Somebody called me a hood rat the other, and I said I think the meant country rat. It’s ok for them to have their own opinion of me.

Could crime in Trinidad and Tobago force you to migrate and if you were to migrate where would you move to?

It depends on how bad crime gets. If it’s to the point where the government can’t do anything, and we know they have the power to do anything and they throw their arms up and they have done all they can, any smart thinking citizen would see that as their cue to leave. I would either go to Canada or St. Lucia… or Barbados where the crime rate is low. Caribbean countries that are big on tourism with the exception of Jamaica tend to have low crime rates and crimes of a particular nature.

If you had the opportunity to work closely with any living artiste, who would it be and why?

It’s hard to pick one because I can’t put one above the other. Everyone is different for their own thing. For me to pick one artiste, I would be falling in one format. Everyone is unique- we need everyone. I’d work with anyone who has talent and a vibe.

What is one thing about your life that you would like other women in T&T to take example from and possibly apply to their own?

Nothing. You can learn from other people’s mistakes without making it. It’s not taking a page out of someone’s book. If you did something that seemed to be the right thing and then it turned out bad for you what would you say then?

The reality is that I cannot take anything from you that I haven’t experienced. I can look at it and make some adjustments and take from people’s experiences.

I would tell people not to take anything from anybody and apply it to their own lives.  If I had for one second listened to some women with regard to childbirth- because for some people it was the worst thing- I would not have my beautiful daughter. The experience is what is necessary.

Three things you simply do not do…

  • I am not superstitious- so I don’t listen to superstitious people… throw salt over yuh back and all that.
  • And I don’t believe in self -protection. God has to do his work.
  • I will not eat black eyed peas.

One food that’s probably bad for you but you just can’t deny yourself the taste?

I’m not into the junk food- I’m not addicted to any thing. My eating habits are very boring.

 

 

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Machel Set to Unleash New Studio Album, Releases Video for ‘Her Mudda’ With Pumpa.

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Trinidadian superstar Machel Montano has dropped the sizzling video for “Her Mudda”with the Virgin Islands’ Pumpa ahead of Trinidad & Tobago’s annual Carnival. The single appears on Montano’s upcoming studio album, One Degree Hotter, which is set for for release later this month via his record label, Monk Music.

“With its striking visuals directed by D. Padmore and ColorMeStadic, pulsating rhythms produced by Stadic & Jonny Blaze, and vibrant performances throughout, “Her Mudda” is a testament to the infectious spirit of soca music and the power of dance,” a media release issued by the team, highlights.

Pumpa and Machel have collaborated on “Yuh Mudda.”


“Her Mudda” along with Machel’s recently released singles – “Fling It Up” ft. Davido, “Pepper Vine” ft. Lady Lava and Drupatee, “PARDY”, “The Truth”, “Bumpa”, and “Fallen Fetters” with Skinny Fabulous  – will all be featured on One Degree Hotter.

The album’s title is a play on words, not only referencing his hot streak of hit records, but also a nod to his recent completion of a Master’s degree in Carnival Studies at the University of Trinidad & Tobago. 

“After two years earning my Master’s degree in Carnival Studies, immersing myself in my culture, and studying where we’ve come from, I’m more inspired than ever about where we can go next. I couldn’t wait to get back in the studio and work on my next album, fueled by everything I’ve learned. ‘One Degree Hotter’ is a double entendre—it marks my Master’s degree, but also my mission to turn up the heat on my music and take it to the corners of the globe,”  Machel said.

“Songs like ‘Fling It Up’ ft. Davido and ‘Pepper Vine’ with Lady Lava and Drupatee reflect that vision—pushing Soca forward by connecting it with the global sounds of Africa and India. To me, this album represents a step forward in the evolution of my sound and mission,”  he adds.

One Degree Hotter follows Machel’s 2021 star-studded album The Wedding Album, which featured Afro B, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Teddy Riley, Vybz Kartel and many more.

The announcement follows Machel’s appearance on NPR’s Tiny Desk, a major milestone for the Soca genre as Machel made history becoming the first soca artist to perform on the platform. The video has garnered over 1 million views in the short time since its release. NPR spoke on the significance of Machel’s performance saying, “Montano’s performance is the first to bring soca, the high energy dance music of the Caribbean, to the Tiny Desk. The genre was born in Trinidad and Tobago in the early 1970s when calypso artist Lord Shorty (who later chose the name Ras Shorty I) added traditional Indian percussion instruments and rhythms to calypso music — itself a fusion that incorporates elements of African, Venezuelan, French and American music.” 

In preparation for the 2025 Trinidad & Tobago Carnival, Machel Montano will defend his Calypso Monarch crown. Fans have already deemed the musical maestro’s single “PARDY” one of the top contenders for the coveted Road March race, which if he wins, Montano will be tied with the legendary Lord Kitchener for the most all time at 11 titles.

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Jamaica’s Beenie Man Berates T&T’s Delicacy of Choice on Major Podcast. Artiste Now Facing Backlash.

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One ‘Drink Champs’ appearance has landed internationally acclaimed dancehall artiste, Beenie Man, in hot water. The ‘Gyal Dem Sugar’ singer appeared on the popular US platform recently, after returning to the US after many years, having been previously barred from entry.

”I love Trinidad. I love Trinidad but dog don’t eat doubles. I don’t eat anything that dog don’t eat,” he told hosts Nore and DJ EFN. The duo had asked the entertainer whether he ate the Trinidad and Tobago delicacy. He went on to say that while the popular street food is nice, and he’s had it a couple times, even outlining the ‘triples’ version, he said he would not eat it because if it’s thrown to the dogs, they refuse to eat it.

Today, in a swift denouncement of an artiste that has been on many stages in T&T for decades, the people of Trinidad and Tobago have demanded an apology. On popular radio station, Vibe CT 105FM, hosts Ken Simmons and George Gonzales debated the matter, George calling for DJs to desist from playing the artiste’s music until a proper apology is received. Many callers echoed his sentiments.

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