Ebuzz News
Carnival Catwalk Is Now Streaming on NBC’s Peacock- A First for T&T.
After a spectacular run in Trinidad and Tobago and across the Caribbean, Carnival Catwalk has officially stepped onto the global stage. The ground-breaking Caribbean fashion competition series premiered August 1st on NBC’s Peacock streaming platform, marking a historic achievement for Caribbean television.
Carnival Catwalk is the first reality TV series created and produced in Trinidad and Tobago to be acquired by a major U.S. streaming network, a milestone moment for the country’s creative industry and the wider Caribbean.
With Executive Producers Jerome “Rome” Precilla, Gian Franco of Pavilion Entertainment, and Rodney Seemungal of SGP Studios at the helm, the show is a dazzling celebration of Caribbean creativity, culture, and craftsmanship.
“This is huge for our local design industry, the Carnival industry, the TV film industry, Tourism and our Culture” said Rome. “This series was built using a cast and crew of over 180 creatives that was 98% local. Editors, camera operators, producers, stylists, production managers, models, you name it. We’ve proven that our creatives, our vision, and our culture are world-class and the world is watching. This is our story being told by us!”
A Launchpad to Global Recognition
Carnival Catwalk features 10 designers from diverse backgrounds from around the world competing in high-stakes challenges that blend the essence of Carnival with the glamour of high fashion. With a grand prize of $100,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip and feature at Milan Fashion Week, the competition offers more than just prestige; it’s a launchpad to global recognition.
Viewers are treated to behind-the-scenes drama, electrifying runway moments, and emotional journeys as the designers pour their hearts into creations that honour the soul of Carnival. The show also features a panel of expert judges and celebrity guests from the Caribbean fashion and entertainment worlds lead by head judge Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwilliam and features Project Runway Season 9 winner Anya Ayoung-Chee, bringing sharp critiques and star power to the mix. The show is hosted by T&T entertainer Rome and Jamaican TV Host and “Karnival Kween” Kandi King.
“Carnival Catwalk gives the world a front-row seat to the immense skill, passion, and pride that goes into our Carnival culture and how that translates to fashion,” said Gian Franco. “Our
A Space for Soca Too
The series is also a powerful platform for Caribbean music, featuring over 150 Soca tracks throughout its nine-episode run. By streaming on Peacock, which boasts over 41 million subscribers, the show significantly expands the reach of soca artists across North America and beyond.
“We are urging everyone in the Caribbean and the diaspora to stream Carnival Catwalk on Peacock,” said Rodney Seemungal. “This is our opportunity to show the power of our region and to keep the door open for more Caribbean productions to enter the global space. We thank our amazing judges, our dedicated crew, and especially the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Tourism, and the Ministry of Culture and Community Development for their crucial support.”
Carnival Catwalk now joins the ranks of global reality TV powerhouses on Peacock, which also hosts “Love Island USA”which became the number 1 reality TV show in the US and the ever popular “Keeping Up With The Kardashians”. As of the date of this release Carnival Catwalk sits at #3 on the “Peacock Picks” rankings on the platform’s homepage. Stream Carnival Catwalk now on Peacock.
Caribbean Buzz
Kes The Band’s ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour Concludes with Sold-Out International Success.
Kes the Band has officially concluded its highly acclaimed Roots, Rock, Soca Tour, marking another groundbreaking moment in the band’s remarkable journey. The international tour captivated audiences across the United Kingdom, Europe and North America – making history as the first Soca act to sell-out stadium shows in the United States and to sell out the RBC Amphitheater in Toronto, Canada with 16,000 fans.
The tour featured sold-out shows in major music cities such as London, Vancouver, Los Angeles, New York, and its final stop in Toronto – with thousands of fans gathering night after night to experience the signature sound, musicianship, and infectious energy that have made KestheBand one of the Caribbean’s most influential live acts.
The ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour became a celebration of culture, connection, and community. Each performance in the concert series showcased the band’s ability to transcend borders and generations, bringing together audiences from diverse backgrounds through music rooted in Caribbean identity. With energetic performances spanning storied venues such as Forest Hills Stadium in New York and The Bellwether in California, Kes the Band continues to cement its place in history as an enduring, generational force that bridges rhythms, unites audiences, and elevates the heartbeat of Caribbean culture in communities across global borders.
Led by charismatic frontman Kees Dieffenthaller, the band’s world-class lineup includes Dean Jameson drums, Jon Dieffenthaller on guitar, Riad Boochoon on bass, Mario Callender and Geiron Mangon keyboards, and Robert ‘Robbie Styles’ Persaud on DJ and Ableton. Together, they delivered dynamic performances that combined exceptional musicianship with the unmistakable spirit that has become synonymous with KestheBand.
Adding to the excitement throughout the tour were a number of memorable surprise guest appearances from some of soca’s most celebrated artists, including Coutain, Lady Lava, Barbados Soca legend Edwin Yearwood, Iwer George, London’s Haile of WSTRN, Haitian singer J Perry, and Ravi B. Their appearances created unforgettable moments for fans while highlighting the camaraderie and creative excellence that continue to define Caribbean music.
The overwhelming response to the tour underscores Kes the Band’s continued evolution from a beloved Caribbean band to a truly global cultural ambassador. Across every city, audiences embraced the music, creating an atmosphere that reflected the growing international appreciation for soca and Caribbean artistry.
Photo: Jono Hirst.
As the curtain closes on the Roots, Rock, Soca Tour, Kes the Band is already focused on the next chapter. The band will soon return to the studio to begin work on new music for an upcoming album, continuing its tradition of pushing creative boundaries while staying true to the sound that has resonated with fans around the world.
The momentum also continues for Kes the Band on stage over Labor Day Weekend as the iconic group takes the stage at the DC Jazz Festival (DCJF), one of the United States’ premier music festivals, taking place September 2–6, 2026. Following the band’s debut on NPR Tiny Desk in the capital of the United States earlier this year, the band continues to expand its reach and introduce Caribbean music to new audiences on some of the world’s most respected stages.
With decades of groundbreaking music, unforgettable live performances, and an unwavering commitment to cultural excellence, Kes the Band continues to redefine what’s possible for Caribbean artists on the global stage. The success of the Roots, Rock, Soca Tour is both a celebration of an extraordinary series of performances and a defining chapter in the band’s enduring legacy, setting the stage for an exciting new era of music and global performances.
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.
