Ebuzz News
Dil-E-Nadan’s Stephen Marcelle Urges New Culture Minister to Throw Support Behind All Aspects of T&T Culture.
A brand new culture and arts Minister installed in Trinidad and Tobago, some entertainment stakeholders are eager to see what development is coming for the sector. Dil-E-Nadan frontline artiste, Stephen Marcelle, fresh off a Florida circuit run with the band, says he is hopeful that the new administration will support all aspects of T&T’s culture and the creatives who carry the flag. New music set for release, Marcelle continues to work dedicatedly at his craft, all while maintaining his focus on his advanced academic pursuits. His ambition has taken him around the world with one of the top performing bands out of the Caribbean – a band that will touch down in South Africa this June.
Happy to be home for the moment, Marcelle says he won’t be in T&T for long as Dil-E-Nadan will head to Amsterdam in a few weeks, followed by South Africa. “It’s 9 hours from Port- of- Spain to Amsterdam and 10 to 12 hours from Amsterdam to South Africa,” he shares, explaining that he does not sleep while in the air, and often chooses to write new music. “I have a new song called, ‘Happy Birthday’ that I’m getting ready to release. It was written by Nyce Nation and produced by Feel Good Music.”
Marcelle says he felt the need to do a song that could be requested at any time of the year and would suit the celebratory birthday vibe. “It’s an RnB groove and it’s universal,” he said.
With two songs already prepared for next year’s carnival in Trinidad and Tobago, Marcelle explains that like most artistes, he immediately gets back to work on new music once the season in T&T has ended. “I have these two Chutney soca tracks already done and I’m working on my Soca and Calypso tracks for 2026,” he explained. Amid the hard work in studio, Stephen balances performances and travel.
On May 29th, he will perform at Naparima Bowl in Trinidad for Kaiso Jazz alongside other immensely talented artistes like Kay Alleyne and Terri Lyons. On July 5th, he will join a dynamic cast of calypsonians at CLR Auditorium for the ‘Who Am I’ tribute concert to Sugar Aloes. The band then heads out to New Jersey and New York, followed by Canada in August. “My hope for the culture in T&T, it’s development and international recognition, lies in the support of the new minister and the new administration. I think it’s really important for the government to fuel calypso music’s marketing internationally, in particular. People from all walks of life respond so well to calypso music outside of T&T and outside of our traditional communities. I think it’s really worth investing in all arms of our culture,” said Marcelle.
True to self and true to culture and his homeland, Stephen Marcelle is working on his growth while spreading his wings alongside his Dil-E-Nadan family. New music on the way, the artiste plans on engaging other artistes for collaborations in the season ahead and is steadfast in his mission to become more of a household name across the Caribbean region.
Music News
Vybz Kartel To Headline Reggae Sumfest This Year, Alongside Mavado. New Album, ‘God & Time’ Set for June Release.
One of the most influential artists in dancehall history, Vybz Kartel, marks a defining new chapter with his forthcoming album God & Time, slated for release June 5th, 2026.
In recent weeks, dancehall artiste, Vybz Kartel has been receiving some backlash online after sharing videos of himself wearing a bonnet while dancing in his underwear and a robe. The noise increased after he shared it a second time, almost taunting his detractors and making it clear that he is rich and does not care for the unsolicited comments of naysayers. Fast forward days later and like magic, the artiste’s pre-album release publicity stunt ushers in the release of his forthcoming album God & Time, set for a June 5th release. Kartel ain’t no fool.
The upcoming album is symbolic for the artiste who spent 13 years behind bars in Jamaica and was only released in 2024. It is being touted as his most personal and sonically expansive body of work since his release. The album will span genres and features an all star lineup of artistes including, Puerto Rican superstar Farruko, Jamaica’s Skillibeng, and Shenseea, with more artistes to be included.
In a media release, it is highlighted that throughout God & Time, Vybz Kartel moves seamlessly between personal reflections, hard-hitting dancehall anthems, sensual records for the ladies, genre-bending crossover records, and rare moments of vulnerability. It adds that it is inspired by the Jamaican expression “God & Time”—rooted in faith, patience, and destiny—and reflects the artiste’s survival, rebirth, and creative freedom.
The title track evokes the same introspective tone as Kartel’s most streamed post-release hit “God Is The Greatest,” which has surpassed 30 million video views year-to-date.
Produced by longtime collaborator TJ Records alongside Kartel, the album reunites the creative team behind Viking (Vybz Is King) (2015) and King of the Dancehall (2016), which included the RIAA Gold-certified hit “Fever.” God & Time will be released via TJ Records / Vybz Kartel Muzik and distributed by Zojak World Wide.
In support of the new album, Vybz Kartel will headline Reggae Sumfest on July 18th, alongside Mavado, reuniting two dancehall icons whose rivalry defined the genre throughout the 2000s in a landmark moment for Jamaican music and culture.
Ebuzz News
Denise Belfon Thanks Drake’s ‘OVO’ Team for Inclusion of Her ‘Work’ on New Track.
Canadian rapper, Drake is once again teaming up with Caribbean entertainers, delivering a brand new album called, ‘Maid of Honor,’ which is now available on all streaming platforms. It was one of three albums the artiste simultaneously dropped on May 15th – the other two being ICEMAN and HABIBTI.
One of the singles on ‘Maid of Honor,’ called ‘BBW’ features the work of Trinidad and Tobago entertainer, Denise ‘Saucy Wow’ Belfon – her 1998 track, ‘Work.’
The lyrics, ‘Put Yuh Back in It’ became a trending expression on TikTok in 2020 when it became a challenge on the popular platform. That viral opportunity six years ago, led to the song’s resurgence and Belfon’s name being called by younger generations whose parents, aunts and uncles would’ve more than likely grown up on her music and performances in the Caribbean. Fast forward to 2026, and Belfon is once again enjoying a viral moment as news broke that her song had been sampled by Drake. “Everything is legitimate and I want to thank the team – Fabian Alfonso, a copyright specialist out of Trinidad and Tobago ; He was very instrumental in making this deal become reality, said Belfon in a chat with Ebuzztt, before expressing gratitude to several other instrumental people, and Drake’s OVO team.
In 2022, dancehall artiste, Shenseea and rapper, Megan Thee Stallion also sampled ‘Work’ on the single, ‘Lick.’ Belfon, who lives in New York, had, at that time, attended a release party at a nightclub in New York, where Shenseea acknowledged the Soca artiste’s influence on the new release.
The Maid of Honor album delivers 14 singles and added to T&T’s Denise Belfon, Jamaican artiste, Popcaan is also featured on a single called, ‘Amazing Shape.’
Denise Belfon’s personality and charisma has, for a very long time, made her a fan favorite in the Caribbean. A vocal powerhouse and unique stage performer, she has stood the test of time in the Soca music industry, having created massive soca anthems like ‘Work,’ ‘Wine and Bend Over’ and ‘Wining Queen’ among countless other flavorful singles.
