Ebuzz News
Archived: Entertainment Professionals Make Genuine Effort, Starting with T&T’s Youth.
It’s as easy as ABC for three entrepreneurs who aim to make a positive impact at some of Trinidad and Tobago’s most negatively impacted secondary schools. Last Tuesday, the ABC project got underway at the Morvant Laventille Secondary School. It was there that forth form pupils of the school gained insight into the entertainment industry through the personal stories of each of the initiative’s stakeholders. The project is spearheaded by media personality Hans Des Vignes, who has enlisted Montage Productions and Way Up 868 clothing Managing Director Romano Francois and BUZZconcepts founder Brendon Brathwaithe. The men urged students to remain optimistic and focused on their goals in order to succeed in life. Soca artiste, Nailah Blackman joined the project’s stakeholders in encouraging the teenagers to find balance between school and their passions before treating them to a performance.
Over the past year, Des Vignes, Francois and Brathwaithe noted with concern the negative attention some schools garnered across local media platforms. With the goal of boosting positivity in the school environment, they joined forces to create the ABC project.
“I believe if we each do something to help our country be a better place, it will be,” Des Vignes said. “This is what we are trying to do. We believe if we do our small part to impact on the lives of some young people, we will eventually impact all. Imagine if each citizen were to do their small parts,” he added.
Montage Productions and Way Up 868 clothing Managing Director, Romano Francois (second right) pose with Morvant Laventille Secondary School students who, participated in the ABC Project initiative at their school last Tuesday and, won t-shirts from his company.
ABC stands for Attitude, Belief and Consistency. Young people, the founders stated, should equip themselves with these attributes to achieve school and personal goals.“The initiative is not sponsored by corporate Trinidad and Tobago and it is a way for us to give back to our beautiful island,” the founders stated. The project targets Form Four students and hopes to provide inspiration and career guidance through interaction with the project founders and entertainers.
“Each of our stakeholders will speak on their careers and what is required to be involved in the entertainment industry. The session will also feature a question and answer segment and will end with a short performance from a top soca artiste,” the founders explained. The Project will continue on Tuesday (January 23) at the San Juan North Secondary School.
“I believe if we each do something to help our country be a better place, it will be.” – Hans DesVignes
| PRESS RELEASE – Leiselle Donald
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.
