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Archived: We Got Under Erphaan Alves’ Skin. He Lashed Back. Here’s How…

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“Some people kind of  “fass and outer place” when it comes to music. Music, first of all is a universal language and plenty genres would not be around today if people weren’t wild, and explored their creativity outside of their comfort zones or borderlines. Soca will never lose its true essence once there are young artistes like me and others, who understand the culture, who’ve been a part of the calypso competitions like TUCO Junior Calypso Monarch and CPF Junior Soca Monarch.”

Alves seemed a bit upset by this sentiment, something that’s been discussed quite a bit in recent time. Some argue that the effort to capture international audiences, has killed the spirit and essence of Soca music. Some have called out the genre’s alteration over the years, to slower beats per minute and in some instances, more of an RnB style. Erphaan would hear nothing of this. “We understand, we know what our culture is, we know the history of calypso and soca. It is coming right back to its original form just in time,” he said. Alves said music is a living organism that should be left to breathe and flourish naturally.

“If somebody wants to do rapso and wants to put some pop in it, leave it. Soca will never lose its true identity once people like myself in this game. We will work hard and find ways and means to continue to make this relatable, identifiable to the youths and acceptable and have them appreciate it, which will also lead to them wanting to get involved in it.”

Alves  noted that international music makers are now tapping into the Caribbean sound, which includes soca, reggae and dancehall, more now, than ever. “The only problem is – the sad reality is that their fans may never know where their songs stem from, but so it goes. Some people may say cultural appropriation in a sense. We have to just work hard to make them aware,” he said.

The video for his hit single, “Over Due” was shot entirely in New York. He said this has been questioned by some.

“If I am a citizen of the world I shouldn’t be bound to shooting my music video in one country. Who created that rule? If I sing a song called “Over Due” and it has an international vibe and appeal in terms of the content, I feel as though I could shoot the video wherever I want to present my craft visually. Once it makes sense.”

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Ebuzz News

Denise Belfon Thanks Drake’s ‘OVO’ Team for Inclusion of Her ‘Work’ on New Track.

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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.

Rapper, Drake has released three new albums simultaneously.

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.

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Caribbean Fashion Is A Big Deal. Designer, Ecliff Elie Expands With Women In Mind.

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Caribbean fashion is top tier. In a world of copy and paste designs, Caribbean brands like the incomparable Ecliff Elie, stand in a class of their own. Earlier this month, the menswear brand made a major announcement and whether you’ve heard or not, we’re here to tell you, this is huge.

The Ecliff Elie brand will now be delivering its seamless, tailored appeal to women. The brand is known for its precision tailoring and disciplined garment construction so with that at its foundation, women can now feel the complete effect of the Ecliff Elie touch. The company steps out into this aspect of its business after what it says has been years of delivering this service privately to women. Dubbed ‘Bespoke — Tailored for Women,’ Ecliff Elie is now offering the service, at scale.

The introduction reflects a focused extension of Elie’s established approach to tailoring – one built on proportion, control, and consistency. Each garment is developed through a guided process that considers posture, movement, and presence, ensuring that the final result aligns with how the individual operates and presents herself.

From custom blazers to trousers, skirts, and dresses, customers will now be able to get their custom designed Ecliff Elie apparel, through a consultation-led process where every decision—from cut to finish—is deliberate. The company says fabric selection will be approached with the same level of discipline, with materials chosen for structure, performance, and longevity, allowing each piece to maintain its standard over time.

“This is not a new direction,” Elie states. “It is a continuation of work I have done over time, now introduced with structure and clarity.”

With more than three decades of experience, Ecliff Elie has consistently positioned presentation as a defining factor in how individuals are perceived. His work has guided clients across industries to approach style as a matter of precision and intent rather than preference.

“When the garment is correct, everything changes,” he adds. “You move differently. You carry yourself differently. That is the standard.”

As more women continue to operate at the highest levels across business, leadership, and professional environments, the demand for tailoring that reflects both authority and individuality has grown. This offering responds to that shift with a process designed to deliver consistency, clarity, and control.

Through Bespoke — Tailored for Women, Ecliff Elie continues to refine his approach while maintaining a clear focus on craftsmanship, attention to detail, and a disciplined standard of execution.

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