Ebuzz News
Archived: Bunji Garlin, Cassi Atop The List of Names At Major Carnival Fetes in T&T
He’s had a hell of a run. 2013 was the year Bunji Garlin made the world know that he wasn’t sleeping and it seems like he’s about to make even more noise as 2014 gets going. Already, the Viking’s name is front and centre on billboards and press ads for the carnival season but he isn’t the only one. With some amazing releases this year, a number of soca artistes will see their hard work pay off when they collect their cheques from promoters of several major carnival fetes they’re booked to perform at this year. Among the artistes expected to make a killing is, Cassi.
Cassi says he is moving to make his career a proper business.
ETCETERABUZZ learnt that Cassi is a bit nervous about the amount of attention he’s been receiving but even with the thought of having to live up to the expectations of thousands across the country, he is thankful for all that’s happening in his career right now. “I have grown since ‘Town Ting’ and I am a better vocalist now, and I know more now on the stage,” he admitted in an interview with us this afternoon. Cassi says he feels honored to be favored by many of the radio personalities and DJs this year and admits that he worked very hard in the past few months- something that is paying off. “The song being played on the radio stations is what got the attention of the promoters and I got a call from the Fire Fete promoters early, to perform,” he told us. He will hit the stage with artistes like Iwer George, Destra Garcia, Olatunji Yearwood, Bunji, Fay-Ann, Mr. Killa from Grenada, Onyan from Antigua, Lyrikal and others on January 25th. The venue- the Queen’s Park Savannah hosts some of the biggest carnival events annually and a massive crowd is expected next week Saturday.
Explaining that he was motivated after last year’s experience, Cassi noted that his 2013 season started off on a bit of a sour note- this after he failed to make it to the Soca Monarch semi finals. He however explained that at Machel Monday, he was uplifted by the words of Montano who told the crowd that Cassi’s hit, ‘Whistle and Horn’ was his favorite song for the season. “To hear those words from an artiste like Machel Montano- an international star, was an honor. Machel Monday was my Soca Monarch because everybody was there!,” he said.
Cassi says Bunji Garlin has cut the grass for all of the other soca artistes. He thanks him for all that he’s done, adding that Bunji has made the soca fraternity very proud.
Cassi says he’s ready for the next level in his career, explaining to us that he now feels accredited here at home by the people. “For the past three years, I’ve been working at getting the people of the region and overseas territories to know my music and who I am. The next step is for me to try to inject some international sounds into my music,” he explained, adding that he is thankful to Bunji Garlin for “cutting the grass” for the rest of the artistes who are a part of the soca industry. “I also want to to thank Machel Montano. He has been a mentor and a good advisor over the years,” he said. Cassi’s aim as he continues with his development as an artiste is to mould his career into a proper business format and admitting that he knows it may cost him some money to get things properly organized, he says he knows it will be worth it.
On the releases of 2014 and what he likes so far, Cassi said he’s a big fan of songs by both Bunji and Machel. “I like ‘All O’ Dem’ and Machel’s ‘Happiest Man Alive’,” he said. Both Machel and Bunji have several hits heading into Carnival 2014 and both artistes will be featured in concert length performances on separate dates this year.
Ebuzz News
Patrice Roberts Pulls 10K Plus Crowd At Flava Village in Port-of-Spain.
The national Carnival Commission says more than 10,000 patrons came out to Flava Village at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Thursday night to see female Soca artiste, Patrice Roberts.
An event dubbed, ‘Always Us,’ held as a free showcase for Carnival lovers, delivered a number of truly entertaining soca stars, among them, Shal Marshall, Shurwayne Winchester, Nadia Batson, Farmer Nappy and Mical Teja. The NCC, in a media statement said, “an estimated 8,000 people filled the popular Carnival venue, with an additional 2,000patrons enjoying the show from viewing screens along The Drag, creating an electric Carnival atmosphere despite heavy rainfall earlier in the day.”
With her usual high energy performances, Patrice held the attention of fans throughout the night.The concert was described by the artiste as a heartfelt “thank you” to her fans and
supporters. NCC’s Chief Executive Officer, Keiba Jacob-Mottley, said the organisation welcomed the opportunity to partner with Roberts. “We commend Patrice for her decision to give back in this meaningful way and applaud her commitment to ensuring that high-quality local entertainment remains accessible to everyone during the Carnival season, Mottley said, adding, “Our collaboration reinforces the NCC’s focus on creating memorable Carnival experiences that celebrate our artistes while removing financial barriers for the public,” she added.
The NCC CEO noted that the Flava Food Village, one of two signature Carnival villages at the
Savannah, alongside the John Cupid Carnival Village, is offered as a vibrant, inclusive space
where patrons can enjoy food, culture, and nightly performances free of charge. She added
that other NCC events, such as “Welcome to the Gayelle” represent the continuing work at
delivering a successful Carnival 2026.
David Baptiste, President of the Carnival Entrepreneurs Association, described the night as a milestone for vendors at the Savannah. “Last night was truly beautiful and something I have never seen before – an event of this magnitude in terms of crowd size, and people supporting the vendors. Many vendors sold out last night. We need more of this, and I am looking forward to the next event. Events like these boost business for our vendors at the Savannah and make them truly feel like they are a part of the Carnival festival,” Baptiste said.
Ebuzz News
Squeezy Rankin’s Pivot. Artiste Goes Hard into Calypso to Change Mindsets.
From dancehall music with rough lyrical content to social commentary that aims at changing mindsets, East Trinidad native, Squeezy Rankin says he has found his true calling in Calypso music. The entertainer is on the road to the preliminary round of the Calypso Monarch Competition later this month, with a single called ‘Rat Race’ – this, one year after ‘Justice’ influenced younger audiences to take a stronger look at the Calypso genre, something that he hopes he can continue to do as his journey in music continues.
In a recent radio interview, the reigning Young King, whose real name is Anthony La Fleur, said prior to 2025, he had not done music professionally in 13 years. Jumping back into the spotlight, he said, was a bit intimidating, but the exposure last year has prepared him for 2026 and the artiste is expected to confidently claim his space in the Calypso Monarch competition this year.
As real as it gets, Squeezy Rankin- a man on the ground, has always fought for his place in the music industry locally. Now, as Calypso music embraces him even more, he says he believes he’s found his place. “I plan on releasing two songs during the year because I want to change the narrative that Calypso music is old people music,” he said, adding that his hope is that urban radio stations see the value in sharing topics of social commentary, such as ‘Justice’ and ‘Rat Race’- songs deep in meaning and valuable beyond measure, in the greater scheme of things.
Determined to change mindsets one song at a time, Squeezy Rankin says his strong suit is certainly social commentary and he will not, at any time, delve into political commentary. “I was advised by someone who is deep in politics to stay out of it and I literally listened. You know sometimes we hear people, but we aren’t listening. I thought about what he said, and it made sense. I literally listened, even though they say I don’t listen,” he said with a laugh.
‘Rat Race’ was written by Squeezy and Angelo Pantin with production by Q-Ban Production.
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