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
Machel Set to Unleash New Studio Album, Releases Video for ‘Her Mudda’ With Pumpa.
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.
“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.
Around the World
Jamaica’s Beenie Man Berates T&T’s Delicacy of Choice on Major Podcast. Artiste Now Facing Backlash.
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.
Beenie Man was barred from US entry since 2015, along with artistes like Aidonia, Bounty Killer, Sizzla, and Mavado. His travel limitation continued even after Aidonia and Mavado’s visas were restored. In 2011, Beenie Man’s visa was temporarily restored, but by 2015, he was angain barred entry to the United States. On December 26th, 2024, the artiste publicly announced that his Visa had been reinstated.
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Around the World7 days agoJamaica’s Beenie Man Berates T&T’s Delicacy of Choice on Major Podcast. Artiste Now Facing Backlash.
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Ebuzz News7 days agoMachel Set to Unleash New Studio Album, Releases Video for ‘Her Mudda’ With Pumpa.
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Ebuzz News1 week agoAt Just 11, Yung Kymani Understands the Importance of Culture. Calls for More Calypso and Soca in T&T.
