Ebuzz News
Archived: Bunji Garlin, Slaughter, Chinee SPEAK Out As Crime Spirals In Trinidad.
Murders abound in Trinidad and Tobago at this time. The latest tragedy- the death of a 20 year old bank employee has many in the entertainment industry speaking up.
“Crime affects everyone.” That’s a pretty common cliche. Today though, people across Trinidad and Tobago are outraged over the gruesome and untimely murder of a 20-year-old female bank employee, whose body was found in the warehouse of a popular store, IAM and Company, along Charlotte Street in the capital city, Port-Of-Spain on Thursday. From artistes to bankers, reporters, janitors, radio personalities, talk show hosts and the man on the street, the name of Shannon Banfield is being spoken of and the common refrain is, “this has got to stop.”
Bunji Garlin, like others including MXPrime and various radio personalities, wore black in solidarity today.
In a social media post today, entertainer, Bunji Garlin said, “We all have to share in this pain because we are all going to be affected by this, one way or the next. Now that we have all worn our black, the question comes, WHAT NEXT?”
Bunji, a native of East Trinidad where places like Maloney and D’abadie has, in recent days, felt an intensified crime scourge, said:
“We all have to think about what the texture of society will be like as the responsibility is on us to make it better or worse for our lineage to come.”
The ‘Differentology’ singer went on to engage his fans saying, “Prayer without action is fruitless, faith without works is dead. The Lord will help those who help themselves. We are at a critical point as a people because the ironic thing is victory, peace even love is not achieved without pain, loss or even wars. I often want to believe otherwise but it was written in time itself to be that way. It is very, very sad that we have come to this point and it is because we failed miserably as a people when the events were on a smaller scale. Now we’re all ready to scamper for our lives.”
Other people in the music and entertainment business in Trinidad have also worn black in solidarity with the common sentiment that something has got to be done. Today, EBUZZTT.COM spotted MX Prime and Kevin Baker- radio personalities at Boomchampions 94.1FM, wearing black clothing, standing against the injustices taking place in the land of their birth.
Radio personality, Chinee
On the airwaves, on urban frequency RED 96,7FM, popular personality Chinee questioned what is really taking place in the land, pointing out that the country’s women and children are being slaughtered. His DJ complimented his sentiments, playing Reggae music that spoke to the times presently facing the country. In Jamaica, artistes like Tarrus Riley and others have banded together, calling on citizens to strive for a Crime Free Christmas. Many in Trinidad and Tobago feel like the crime situation in the land will soon equate to the numbers being recorded annually in Jamaica- an island that has seen murders in excess of 1000, committed yearly.
Slaughter is praying for brighter days in Trinidad and Tobago.
Yesterday, Xcaliber Sound head honcho, Derek “Slaughter” Pereira penned a prayer for the bloodshed to stop. Just weeks ago, his uncle and cousin were shot dead in an attack in D’Abadie. He proceeded to share his feelings on social media.
In light of this period of mourning and contemplation over the future of Trinidad and Tobago, EBUZZTT.COM stands in solidarity with the many people who have lost family members, friends and loved ones to crime, not only in Trinidad and Tobago, but in the Caribbean and across the world. We say it is indeed time to stand up against CRIME and take back our world- a beautiful place created for all of us to live and love, with purpose.
Caribbean Buzz
Charly Black, Kevin Lyttle Release ‘Summer Banger’ Produced by Global Hitmaker, Walshy Fire.
Two of the Caribbean’s most legendary hitmakers have joined forces for what is shaping up to be one of the Caribbean’s biggest records of the year.
Dancehall superstar Charly Black, whose global smash “Gyal You A Party Animal” has amassed more than one billion streams worldwide, joins forces with St. Vincent Soca hit maker, Kevin Lyttle, whose timeless international hit “Turn Me On” has generated hundreds of millions of streams. That single remains one of the most recognizable Caribbean songs ever recorded.
The single, “Island Ting,” unites the music of Jamaica and St. Vincent & The Grenadines, celebrating the beauty, confidence, and irresistible energy of island women. More than just a song, “Island Ting” is a celebration of the Caribbean, its vibrant diaspora, and everyone around the world who embraces the region’s unmatched culture, music, and love of celebration.
Blending irresistible Dancehall and Soca influences with an unmistakable tropical vibe, the record is poised to become the soundtrack of the summer, says a media release issued.
Produced by well known international producer, Walshy Fire, with the instrumental crafted by acclaimed producer Jason Julian, “Island Ting” is already making waves across the streaming landscape. The single has secured significant editorial playlist support from Apple Music and Spotify, with Spotify further backing the release through premium placement on its coveted Mobile Home Banner – one of the platform’s most prominent promotional spaces for new music.
Industry insiders are already tipping “Island Ting” as one of the Caribbean’s defining songs of the summer, with momentum expected to carry through Notting Hill Carnival, into Trinidad Carnival 2027, and beyond. From beach parties and festivals to clubs, radio, and playlists around the world, the record has all the ingredients of a timeless Caribbean anthem.
“Island Ting” is available now on all major streaming and digital platforms.
Ebuzz News
Seven Songs. One Big Artiste. Grenada’s Spice Mas Better Be Ready for Skinny Banton.
Spice Mas, like every other carnival, is seasonal, but for Carriacou, Grenada artiste, Skinny Banton, music isn’t. He has unleashed seven songs in 2026, and like clockwork he’s locked in and ready to deliver his energy, good vibes and storytelling strengths to audiences celebrating another memorable Spice Mas experience this year.
For Skinny Banton, whose real name is Shirlan George, Grenada’s Jab culture is fuel to his fire. In the past, songs like ‘Soak It Good’ and ‘Wrong Again,’ brought him tremendous acclaim across the region and internationally. This season, The Jambalasse project is anticipated to be one of the artiste’s most powerful contributions, signaling his intentionality to promote his country’s authentic culture, wherever he goes. “With this project we’re trying to keep the history, while celebrating the present by revamping a song that was done by Moss International 35 years ago,” he said. That song was called ‘Jambalasse Rule,’ released in 1991. “We revamped the riddim because it was one of the first songs considered to be an original Jab Jab song from Grenada, at that time,” he explained.
Proud of his personal efforts to keep the awareness on Grenada’s cultural traditions, Skinny Banton advocates for the continued celebration of these traditions and understands his role as an artiste. “No matter what we face as artistes in this space, we stay true to our mission. I have several songs that the people will enjoy in Spice Mas and beyond. One of my personal favourites is ‘Pain,’ a song I would like to share with my fans in Trinidad and Tobago when Carnival 2027 comes around,” he said.
Strengthening Others
Other tracks released by Skinny include, ‘When Yuh Eating,’ ‘Right Up,’ ‘Black Fuh Juvay,’ ‘Can’t Stop Us,’ ‘Carnival Traffic’ featuring Jamaican artiste, I Octane, ‘My Behaviour,’ featuring Tonic X and ‘Water Line Burst,’ collaboratively done with Nicki Akull. “The collaborations done with Tonic X and Nicki Akull mean a lot to me. They are upcoming artistes who I share good vibes with. When I was younger and had hopes of connecting and collaborating with bigger artistes, it was not easy,” he recalled, adding that it often felt daunting. He says because he understands the feeling, he is happy to be able to help these up-and-coming entertainers. “This was just my way of giving them strength and encouragement. I feel like nobody takes you seriously when you don’t have a foot in the door – they refuse to embrace you because you are not known. I want them to keep pushing after this,” he added.
Dedicated and refocused, Skinny Banton is pushing full speed ahead. “I’m doing music videos for most of the songs. I already have a video for ‘Black Fuh Juvay,’ which has been uploaded to YouTube and all other streaming platforms, and the video for ‘My Behaviour’ with Tonic X is also out,” he said. Grateful to Jamaican artiste, IOctane for the strength given to him on their collaboration on the single, ‘Carnival Traffic,’ Skinny said this particular song is one that he loves, and he hopes the people will, as well.
For the past three years, the artiste had been approached by upcoming entertainer, Nicki Akull for the single they eventually brought forward this year. “Waterline Buss – Nicki Akull’s persistence and determination really brought this song into existence,” he said, happy to have eventually come around to making it happen. Even with such a vast number of singles released, Skinny Banton says he is ready to work with artistes across the Diaspora. “I’m still creating, still working and I’m looking forward to establishing more ground in the Soca community and around the world.”
Social Media, Music and Trends.
Certainly attuned to the necessary promotional adjustments that many artistes have been forced to adopt, Skinny Banton says he hopes that despite the rise in social media content distribution, true talent and good music is not sacrificed. “I feel like content creation online should not take away from artistes creating and delivering great music, because without the content, the music should still stand on its own, and with the content, the people still need the music,” he shared. “I also feel like a lot of trends are created from making yourself an online spectacle and not the music being able to sustain itself, so you may get attention for what you post as content, but the music you’re posting the content for sometimes does not have enough substance to sustain itself for longevity,” he rationalized.
Thoughtful, conscious and truly talented, Skinny Banton is a necessary part of the Caribbean’s creative landscape. His storytelling ability, coupled with his appreciation for the art and vocal capacity, makes him an artiste everyone should tap in to. “I want to encourage the young artistes to stay focused and keep pushing and never be discouraged by the many things that’s said on social media. They must work hard to establish their business to suit them, because every artiste will do things differently, when it comes to the business; Never be discouraged by the naysayers,” he advised. He thanked his fans for their love and support over the years. “People who’ve been supporting from day one and continue to support, as well as the new supporters I’ve gotten along the way – thank you. To the DJs and radio personalities, I appreciate you. One hand doesn’t clap. Thank you for keeping my songs on rotation and I hope you all continue to support me.”