Ebuzz News
Bunji Garlin, Fay Ann Keep The Fire Alive with Unconventional Soca Anthems.
There’s something about stepping out of the box that shakes things up a bit. Groovy soca music is sweet to the soul but real fetters require much more. They require a certain element of surprise and harsh lyrical force that only some artistes can truly deliver. Bunji Garlin has proven, time and time again, that he is one of those artistes. At his side, his wife, Fay Ann Lyons Alvarez, is no push over.
As the excitement heading into Carnival 2024 increases, the Power Soca music is now beginning to hit the airwaves in Trinidad and Tobago. Some artistes have remained consistent, delivering sweetness in soca that is typical but coming in with their rough, revelrous spirit, have been Bunji and Fay Ann, much like they’ve always done. Already, the pair have been selected to headline one of the biggest and most anticipated fetes in carnival- Army Fete and there is no doubt that the true reason for that, is the couple’s ability to shake a crowd.
Bunji leapt out of Grenada’s Spice Mas Carnival 2023 with a song called, “Welcome to Greenzland.” Much like it shook the scene in August, it has penetrated T&T, with many recognizing the song’s potency even before any major fete has taken place. On the heels of that, Garlin dropped a song called, “Tell Yuh Modder Now.” The track, laced with a heavy handed, anger infused undertone, has the ability to reach deep into a crowd of revellers – most of whom would likely relate to its concept, after all, life is certainly imperfect.
Like her husband, Fay Ann Lyons- the Viqueen as she is called, has a venomous and powerful tongue and pen. Her music is never ordinary, hardly ever soft and sweet and always for the big crowds. She kicked things off with ‘So What’ on the Resurgence Riddim and so far, that unadulterated-truth kinda single is blazing across the airwaves. Her follow up to that has been ‘Single on The Road’ on the Militant Riddim. Her words, “I’m single every carnival,” speaks to the hearts and souls of not only her females but the men too. Lyons-Alvarez’s tone echoes ‘I doh business’ and it’s likely that when she hits the stage in 2024 the enticement will increase.
![Fay-Ann Lyons - Single On D Road (Militant Riddim) | 2024 Soca [N.M.G Music]](https://ebuzztt.com/wp-content/cache/flying-press/68953898cfbf4171dc18529137ab2725.jpg)
Bunji and Fay Ann are just two of the artistes who are ready to bring pure vibes and heat to Carnival 2024. The season, a short one, is expected to be jam packed with events and many anticipate seeing a wide variety of artistes.
Many have argued that the same group of entertainers are constantly seen and heard at fetes while artistes who are less popular, but who may have pretty good songs, are left off stage. The call for music that pushes ‘real revelry’ has been consistent. We anticipate seeing who promoters deliver in the season ahead.
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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