Ebuzz News
Blaka Dan is An Enterprise Boy Too. Artiste Wants to Drive Soca Genre into Global Spotlight.
Grenada’s Blaka Dan is also an Enterprise, Chaguanas, Trinidad son and now, with a massive outpouring of support for his hit single, ‘Blessing,’ the artiste is set to deliver excitement and good vibes at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Thursday. He performs in position number four in the Ultimate Category, vying for the $1million dollar cash prize against artistes like, Orlando Octave, Yung Bredda, Viking Ding Dong, Preedy, Anika Berry, fellow Grenadian, Dash, Nailah Blackman and others.
Blaka, whose real name is Wrenroy Ogiste is a soca lover to the core. He says he was inspired to pursue the genre by called Soca soldier, Blazer Dan who was also from the Enterprise, Chaguanas community. He credits much of his passion to pursue Soca to seeing, first hand, the rise of Blazer Dan on the circuit. He was moved to follow his dreams at the age of 18, relocating to Grenada where he began making inroads.
In 2012, his breakthrough came with a song called, ‘3 Dollar Bread.’ The track’s creativity, lyrical content and melodic arrangement, caught the attention of music lovers and fellow creatives in the music business. One year later, Blaka Dan walked away with the first place title in Grenada’s Groovy Soca Monarch competition. His single ‘Whole Day We Jammin’ was subsequently remixed in 2015, with the late Dexter ‘Blaxx’ Stewart from T&T.
Consistent and passionate, Blaka Dan is poised to create waves in the aftermath of T&T’s carnival 2025 season. Already having made inroads internationally and across the region, his name will likely be on everyone’s tongue, throughout the year.
The Ultimate Soca Champion Competition takes place on Thursday, February 20th at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain. Ebuzztt.com understands that production is apace to ensure that this artiste’s show is as spectacular as the energy and pull of a song that has penetrated the season like none other. He is optimistic and focused on capturing the prize, with the aim of creating history as one of the driving forces to make Soca music become a more recognized genre, globally.
Music News
Vybz Kartel To Headline Reggae Sumfest This Year, Alongside Mavado. New Album, ‘God & Time’ Set for June Release.
One of the most influential artists in dancehall history, Vybz Kartel, marks a defining new chapter with his forthcoming album God & Time, slated for release June 5th, 2026.
In recent weeks, dancehall artiste, Vybz Kartel has been receiving some backlash online after sharing videos of himself wearing a bonnet while dancing in his underwear and a robe. The noise increased after he shared it a second time, almost taunting his detractors and making it clear that he is rich and does not care for the unsolicited comments of naysayers. Fast forward days later and like magic, the artiste’s pre-album release publicity stunt ushers in the release of his forthcoming album God & Time, set for a June 5th release. Kartel ain’t no fool.
The upcoming album is symbolic for the artiste who spent 13 years behind bars in Jamaica and was only released in 2024. It is being touted as his most personal and sonically expansive body of work since his release. The album will span genres and features an all star lineup of artistes including, Puerto Rican superstar Farruko, Jamaica’s Skillibeng, and Shenseea, with more artistes to be included.
In a media release, it is highlighted that throughout God & Time, Vybz Kartel moves seamlessly between personal reflections, hard-hitting dancehall anthems, sensual records for the ladies, genre-bending crossover records, and rare moments of vulnerability. It adds that it is inspired by the Jamaican expression “God & Time”—rooted in faith, patience, and destiny—and reflects the artiste’s survival, rebirth, and creative freedom.
The title track evokes the same introspective tone as Kartel’s most streamed post-release hit “God Is The Greatest,” which has surpassed 30 million video views year-to-date.
Produced by longtime collaborator TJ Records alongside Kartel, the album reunites the creative team behind Viking (Vybz Is King) (2015) and King of the Dancehall (2016), which included the RIAA Gold-certified hit “Fever.” God & Time will be released via TJ Records / Vybz Kartel Muzik and distributed by Zojak World Wide.
In support of the new album, Vybz Kartel will headline Reggae Sumfest on July 18th, alongside Mavado, reuniting two dancehall icons whose rivalry defined the genre throughout the 2000s in a landmark moment for Jamaican music and culture.
Ebuzz News
Denise Belfon Thanks Drake’s ‘OVO’ Team for Inclusion of Her ‘Work’ on New Track.
Canadian rapper, Drake is once again teaming up with Caribbean entertainers, delivering a brand new album called, ‘Maid of Honor,’ which is now available on all streaming platforms. It was one of three albums the artiste simultaneously dropped on May 15th – the other two being ICEMAN and HABIBTI.
One of the singles on ‘Maid of Honor,’ called ‘BBW’ features the work of Trinidad and Tobago entertainer, Denise ‘Saucy Wow’ Belfon – her 1998 track, ‘Work.’
The lyrics, ‘Put Yuh Back in It’ became a trending expression on TikTok in 2020 when it became a challenge on the popular platform. That viral opportunity six years ago, led to the song’s resurgence and Belfon’s name being called by younger generations whose parents, aunts and uncles would’ve more than likely grown up on her music and performances in the Caribbean. Fast forward to 2026, and Belfon is once again enjoying a viral moment as news broke that her song had been sampled by Drake. “Everything is legitimate and I want to thank the team – Fabian Alfonso, a copyright specialist out of Trinidad and Tobago ; He was very instrumental in making this deal become reality, said Belfon in a chat with Ebuzztt, before expressing gratitude to several other instrumental people, and Drake’s OVO team.
In 2022, dancehall artiste, Shenseea and rapper, Megan Thee Stallion also sampled ‘Work’ on the single, ‘Lick.’ Belfon, who lives in New York, had, at that time, attended a release party at a nightclub in New York, where Shenseea acknowledged the Soca artiste’s influence on the new release.
The Maid of Honor album delivers 14 singles and added to T&T’s Denise Belfon, Jamaican artiste, Popcaan is also featured on a single called, ‘Amazing Shape.’
Denise Belfon’s personality and charisma has, for a very long time, made her a fan favorite in the Caribbean. A vocal powerhouse and unique stage performer, she has stood the test of time in the Soca music industry, having created massive soca anthems like ‘Work,’ ‘Wine and Bend Over’ and ‘Wining Queen’ among countless other flavorful singles.
