Caribbean Buzz
Buju, Snoop Light Up In New Collab. ‘High Life’ Is Now Blazing.
GRAMMY® award winner and multiple time Billboard chart-topping artist, the iconic Buju Banton has suddenly lit up the music scene with a spanking new single called, “High Life.” The track features internationally renowned rapper, Snoop Dogg and is made available via Roc Nation Records/Gargamel Music/Def Jam Recordings.
With its message of being above the clouds yet firmly grounded, “High Life” notably marks the first official collaboration between these two legendary trailblazers, tracing a direct line between Jamaica and the LBC for the first time. The track delivers a hypnotic and head-nodding dancehall beat with horns and hazy synths and from the the very start, Buju gleefully carries an intoxicating and irresistible refrain, leaving Snoop to counter with reggae-inflected bars that urge, “Oh Mary Jane, will you please take me home?” The new ganja man’s anthem arrived just in time for Thursday’s 4/20 commemoration.
“High Life” sets the stage for Buju’s anxiously awaited fourteenth full-length offering later this year – his first album since 2020’s universally acclaimed Upside Down 2020, which garnered a GRAMMY® Award nomination in the category of “Best Reggae Album” and earned rave “4-out-of-5 star” reviews on both sides of the pond from The Guardian and Rolling Stone, respectively.
Buju capped off a busy 2022 with his most recent fan favorite single “Si Mi Clean” featuring Busy Signal. It tallied over half-a-million streams and picked up plugs from the likes of BET and more. The Caribbean reggae and dancehall master is set to perform his new hits, along with countless other fan favorites, at upcoming shows in Trinidad and Tobago on May 6th, St. Lucia on May 12th, and the Bahamas on May 19th.
Caribbean Buzz
Terri Lyons Makes History with Fourth Consecutive Queen of Queens Title.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Calypso Queen Terri Lyons has once again cemented her place in Caribbean music history after winning the Queen of Queens Competition at Montserrat for the fourth consecutive year.
The highly anticipated event took place on Tuesday, December 30th, where Lyons delivered a commanding performance that set her apart from a strong regional field of competitors. Her victory further solidifies her reputation as one of the most dominant and consistent female voices in modern calypso.
Terri Lyons, the daughter of legendary Soca King Austin “Superblue” Lyons, has been making a tremendous impact on the calypso scene for years, earning respect for her lyrical strength, stage presence, and commitment to the art form. Many have noted that while she proudly carries her father’s legacy, she has firmly established her own powerful identity in the genre.
At Tuesday’s competition, Lyons topped the lineup, with Antigua and Barbuda’s Ge’eve Phillip securing second place, and Trinidad and Tobago’s Roslyn Reid-Hayes finishing in third.
Fans and fellow artistes have since taken to social media to praise Lyons’ continued excellence, with many calling her reign “unmatched” and “well deserved.” Her latest win not only highlights her individual talent but also underscores the strength of Caribbean calypso on a regional stage.
With four consecutive Queen of Queens titles now under her belt, Terri Lyons continues to raise the bar, proving that her crown is not just inherited, but undeniably earned.
Caribbean Buzz
Kerlz Goes Independent Ahead of T&T’s C2K26.
Trinidad and Tobago female soca artiste, Kerlz is going solo. The entertainer has announced her departure from the A Team Band, via media release. A 13-year-journey with the band’s front-line has been dubbed, ‘an amazing run’ by the entertainer who says she is grateful for the experience and the foundation built over the years.
Having recently unleashed a new single called, ‘Medicine’ on D’ Guitarman Riddim alongside fellow soca artistes, Ding Dong and Salty, Kerlz, whose real name is Kerlene Joseph, says she is excited to enter this new chapter. “I extend my deepest and most sincere thanks to the A Team Band for the incredible opportunity and the platform they provided me over the past 13 years,” she said, adding, “The journey has been formative and I will always cherish the music we created and the stages we shared together. I wish the entire A Team family nothing but the very best in all their future endeavours.”
Memories made and cherished, the singer now has her heart set on maximizing the potential of her recent release, which is already gaining ground as the 2026 season comes into focus. With a powerful voice and a dynamic stage presence, Kerlz says she is ready to captivate audiences as a solo performer.
