Ebuzz News
Archived: Destra, Kerwin Give Kudos To Blaxx- Artiste Assures He'll Keep Soca Sweet
It’s not a normal occurrence- one soca artiste tipping his hat to another, but recently, in separate interviews conducted on two urban frequencies in Trinidad, soca artiste, Blaxx got strong kudos from two of the industry’s well known and highly respected entertainers.
Quite the performer, Destra Garcia says Blaxx pointed her in the right direction.
Destra Garcia, in a spontaneous walk through at 96.1WEFM recently, credited the ‘Maddest Crew’ singer for encouraging her during her younger years as a member of the Roy Cape band. She said Blaxx was like a brother to her, admitting that she took a lot of his advice when it came to stage performance and getting the crowd going. Today, Destra is undoubtedly one of the industry’s most prolific stage performers so it’s safe to say that Blaxx’s input was definitely instrumental in her career.
Kerwin Du Bois has tipped his hat to Blaxx.
Also tipping his hat to the Roy Cape frontline man this season was none other than reigning Groovy Soca Monarch king, Kerwin Du Bois. Chatting with Hypa Hoppa on RED 96.7FM, Du Bois was asked who was his favorite soca artiste, and while he chose to be diplomatic about his response, the young entertainer said he loves Blaxx’s style and thinks he’s a great soca artiste.Blaxx is in the running for the International Soca Monarch crown in 2015. He will come head to head with Machel Montano who will perform in the major showcase for the last time. Blaxx is also the only artiste who has made it to both the Groovy and Power legs of the competition set for February 13th. He’ll be singing ‘Place In Life’ in the Groovy and ‘Maddest Crew’ in the Power, and already many are saying, Blaxx has their vote.
Blaxx is in the running for the Power Soca Monarch title.
Recently, the veteran hit maker who remains consistent year after year, told ETCETERABUZZ.COM that he’s happy to be a major contributor to the sweetness of carnival in T&T and admitted that he wears a hat of honor as one of the purists to the soca music genre. He refused to knock the evolution of soca, noting that he was happy to see inroads being made internationally by many young artistes. He however said the realness of soca must not be lost, explaining that this, more than anything else, is what lures carnival lovers from across the world, to the island. “It has to be authentic, original, ours… during carnival. We can’t kill that. If everybody sings pop and house infused soca, why would the tourists come? They’ll be able to get that outside! I promise to keep the thing sweet.”
Blaxx will be a headline act in this Friday’s Army Fete, which takes place at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain.
Reggae
New ‘Jamrock’ Documentary Celebrates Unforgettable Moments. Cruise Returns to Jamaica After Hurricane Melissa, This Year.
Ahead of its 11th annual voyage in November, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise shares its story through a new film. VIBE premiered All in the Same Boat, a documentary directed by acclaimed filmmaker, Reshma B and produced by Boomshots TV that traces Marley and his manager Dan Dalton’s brainchild from a bold, outsider idea into one of the most culturally significant movements in reggae and dancehall today.
With over a decade’s worth of unforgettable moments pulled from the last 10 voyages, this 30+ minute documentary captures the spirit of a global reggae community built on shared identity, resilience, and reverence for Jamaican culture. It features iconic performances, real conversations with the artistes and DJs, and the heartbeat of it all: the “Jamrockers.” These are die-hard reggae lovers from over 40 countries who pull up every year for one reason – to feel that irreplaceable connection to Jamaican culture and keep the Marley message of “One Love” alive.
Having successfully navigated challenges including extreme weather and a global pandemic, the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise continues to thrive. Its 11th staging will return for its annual voyage from November 11th to the 16th, sailing from Miami aboard Norwegian Joy.
Stacked from foundation to future, this year’s lineup brings together reggae and dancehall’s most influential voices: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Stephen Marley (Traffic Jam Set), Burning Spear, Sizzla, Capleton, Beenie Man, Protoje, Barrington Levy, Elephant Man, Junior Reid, Lila Iké, Ding Dong & the Ravers Clavers, Tony Matterhorn “Man on the Moon”, Gyptian, 450, Richie Spice, Ghost, Mr. Lexx, Professor Nuts, L.U.S.T., Sister Carol, Sevana, Flourgon, Johnny P, and Jemere Morgan are confirmed.
The cruise’s famed Sound Clash at Sea will return alongside powerhouse sound systems including Stone Love (Geefus), King Jammy, Silverhawk Sound, Rory Stone Love, Renaissance Sound, Federation Sound, Warrior Sound, Rampage Sound, Kingston12 HiFi and Souljah1 Muzik, preserving a cornerstone of Jamaican music culture in its most authentic form.
Jamrock is a Premiere Reggae Event
The Jamrock experience has evolved into the premier reggae event at sea—one that continues to redefine how the culture is celebrated on a global stage. The five-day experience continues to immerse guests in the full spectrum of Jamaican life—from Nyabinghi sunrise sessions and sound bath meditations to dancehall workshops, fitness programming, and curated culinary offerings led by acclaimed Chef Lumley. A new addition this year includes a live theatrical production by legendary playwright Oliver Samuels, adding yet another layer to the cruise’s ever-expanding cultural canvas.
Following the impact of Hurricane Melissa in 2025, the cruise will return to Jamaica with renewed purpose, maintaining its distinction as the only chartered cruise with two Jamaican port stops. That commitment translates into tangible impact, generating millions annually for the island’s tourism and cultural economy while reinforcing a direct connection between the music, the people, and the place that birthed it.
As All in the Same Boat makes clear, Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise is a movement with its own rhythm, one that continues to bring the diaspora home, while inviting the world in. Since its inception in 2014, the mission remains the same: to create a space where reggae lives, breathes, and connects us all.
The documentary made its debut during the 10th annual cruise and later screened at Art Basel in support of hurricane relief efforts led by the Marley family’s Ghetto Youths Foundation. Damian Marley and Dan Dalton were executive producers of the film.
Music News
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