Nailah Blackman’s ben nominated for Viewer’s Choice Best International Act.

Trinidad and Tobago artiste, Nailah Blackman continues to rally the support of the Caribbean- on the weekend, performing in Bermuda and urging fans to head to the BET website to vote for her to win the category of Viewer’s Choice Best New International Act at this year’s awards. Voting closes tomorrow- June 19th. Thing is though, whether Nailah wins for Soca or not, Trinidad and Tobago will the year be well represented when Bunji Garlin and his wife and musical partner, Fay Ann Lyons take the stage at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles.

News of the Soca power couple’s inclusion at the awards came on Friday. Jamaica’s Konshens and Shenseea will also perform. Ironically, Shenseea and Konshens dropped new music with Rvssian on June 15th- a track called, “Hard Drive” that the Jamaican dancehall princess has been pushing hard, since. Likewise, T&T’s Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons released two separate tracks back to back between Sunday and Monday. Bunji’s track “Bruk Down” was produced by Fryktion, as was Fay Ann’s “Lift”. Both tunes have been released for St. Vincent’s upcoming carnival.

The Caribbean entertainers will perform in LA on Friday. The actual awards ceremony takes place on June 26th.

CHECK OUT SHENSEEA AND KONSHENS’ LATEST RELEASE 

Rihanna’s like a walking billboard for Barbados, so it’s obvious that many expect the international R&B superstar to be a part of major happenings on the island of Barbados. She’s been to the last few CropOver festivals and will likely be there this year so you just never know ; she just may pop in  at the Barbados Food and Rum festival in October , but we’ll certainly have to wait and see.

On Friday, steel-pan country, Trinidad and Tobago played host to the Barbados Tourism Inc, as they launched the upcoming Barbados Food and Rum festival, which takes place from October 18th-21st. It’ll be the 9th edition of the festival, something that Barbados has certainly prided itself on delivering to the world. The festival kicks off on Thursday, October 18th with  the Oistins Bay Gardens Cook Off, followed by The Signature Rum Event with food and rum pairings on Friday , the Saturday afternoon Polo Rum Spirits, and canapés, the fine dining events on Saturday night, which pair international chefs with local top chefs and on Sunday the festival climaxes with a Beach Party at the Hilton Resort, along with a final fine dinning dinner at a signature local restaurant. Sounds incredible, doesn’t it!?

Amazing desserts added to the event’s taste appeal on Friday night.

A taste of the flavors of Barbados, was offered to those who attended Friday’s launch in Trinidad.

On Friday night in Trinidad at Estate 101 in Maraval, the Barbados Tourism Inc invited the media to taste and experience a little of their upcoming festival. They incorporated music to the flavorful evening out, delivering popular Caribbean genres such as reggae and soca, to entice those who’d attended. There was even a grand prize giveaway for a weekend getaway for two to Barbados, along with other wonderful gestures of thanks to the media for their coverage of the event. Barbados has continued to show the world that it is serious about tourism. Marketing efforts are certainly second to none. The 9th edition of the Food and Rum festival will unlikely be yet another splendid event hosted by this beautiful island that boasts an annual visitor arrival of some 1 million and is revered as the 9th island with the most visitor arrivals, in the region.

For more on the Barbados Food and Rum festival, CLICK HERE.