Caribbean Buzz
Grenada to the World. Sabrina Francis Is Our New ‘It Girl.’
Sabrina Francis is the Caribbean’s new ‘It girl.’ The world will know her name. On May 25th, the striking, confident songstress graced the stage at the Big Black Box, in Trinidad. It was the first time the Grenadian singer had ever performed in T&T. She definitely left an impression.
Sabrina’s an Afro-Caribbean pop singer. She has been making inroads onto the international music scene, touring the UK and other countries, in recent years. She however desired breaking into the Trinidad and Tobago mainstream market with hopes of sharing her music. On May 25th, Sabrina presented an acoustic showcase alongside four members of her Treehouse band. The intimate event brought out a hearty audience of people appreciative of soulful music. Opening for Sabrina was fellow Grenadian singer, Laura Lisa who set the tone for what would come.
Sustainable Music
Ahead of the showcase last Saturday, Francis shared her hopes for her music. “I would like my music to be sustainable. I’m working on building a solid enough fanbase and writing impactful songs, so that in 20 years, I will still be able to get on stage and perform my best work to people who’ve been touched by this music.”
Her choice of Afro-Caribbean music, she explains, was quite the “organic development.” “I’ve experimented with a few genres in my time, but I’ve always had a deep connection to traditional African music, and by extension, traditional Caribbean folk music.” Sabrina took a trip to South Africa in 2019 while working on her second album and she says on that trip, she met and worked with great musicians, among them, Young Mbazo from South Africa, Frank Mavhimira from Zimbabwe and Matchume Zango from Mozambique. “That changed my life on a spiritual level,” she said.
Success in Trinidad and Tobago
On her trip to Trinidad, the singer explained that her aim is to build her Caribbean audience. “I think it’s a powerful thing to have your own backyard cheering you on. I also sense a shift in our tastes in music as Caribbean people- an openness that wasn’t fully there before. I think the people are ready,” she said enthusiastically.
At the Big Black Box, Francis, dressed tantalizingly elegant in a long, figure -complimenting dress, took the stage with a level of confidence that could only come from within. She introduced herself eloquently and thanked her audience for sharing their time with her. She expressed her humility, noting the number of people who had shown up. Her song list then commenced and rolling one track into the other, the Grenadian songbird told of her writing process, highlighting that all of her music comes from personal experience.
The Music
Songs like,‘Magical Life,’ ‘Overflow,’ ‘Cocoa Tea,’ ‘I Feel Amazing,’ ‘Mama Say,’ and many others, delivered a truly appetizing musical array that everyone present enjoyed. “I want my music to be a soundtrack to people’s lives. I have music you can listen to when everything is right in the world, and I have songs for when everything is wrong. I have music for when you’re in love, and music for when your heart is broken,” she shared prior to the showcase. On show night, she proved it.
Over the hour or so that she had impressed her sound and energy on those gathered, Sabrina Francis offered a refreshing taste of just what blossoms out of the Caribbean. Her hope is that islands across the region, will take the time to hear her and others like her, doing what each island can, to promote and sustain the Afro-Caribbean sound that is intrinsically ours.
Caribbean Buzz
Kes The Band’s ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour Concludes with Sold-Out International Success.
Kes the Band has officially concluded its highly acclaimed Roots, Rock, Soca Tour, marking another groundbreaking moment in the band’s remarkable journey. The international tour captivated audiences across the United Kingdom, Europe and North America – making history as the first Soca act to sell-out stadium shows in the United States and to sell out the RBC Amphitheater in Toronto, Canada with 16,000 fans.
The tour featured sold-out shows in major music cities such as London, Vancouver, Los Angeles, New York, and its final stop in Toronto – with thousands of fans gathering night after night to experience the signature sound, musicianship, and infectious energy that have made KestheBand one of the Caribbean’s most influential live acts.
The ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour became a celebration of culture, connection, and community. Each performance in the concert series showcased the band’s ability to transcend borders and generations, bringing together audiences from diverse backgrounds through music rooted in Caribbean identity. With energetic performances spanning storied venues such as Forest Hills Stadium in New York and The Bellwether in California, Kes the Band continues to cement its place in history as an enduring, generational force that bridges rhythms, unites audiences, and elevates the heartbeat of Caribbean culture in communities across global borders.
Led by charismatic frontman Kees Dieffenthaller, the band’s world-class lineup includes Dean Jameson drums, Jon Dieffenthaller on guitar, Riad Boochoon on bass, Mario Callender and Geiron Mangon keyboards, and Robert ‘Robbie Styles’ Persaud on DJ and Ableton. Together, they delivered dynamic performances that combined exceptional musicianship with the unmistakable spirit that has become synonymous with KestheBand.
Adding to the excitement throughout the tour were a number of memorable surprise guest appearances from some of soca’s most celebrated artists, including Coutain, Lady Lava, Barbados Soca legend Edwin Yearwood, Iwer George, London’s Haile of WSTRN, Haitian singer J Perry, and Ravi B. Their appearances created unforgettable moments for fans while highlighting the camaraderie and creative excellence that continue to define Caribbean music.
The overwhelming response to the tour underscores Kes the Band’s continued evolution from a beloved Caribbean band to a truly global cultural ambassador. Across every city, audiences embraced the music, creating an atmosphere that reflected the growing international appreciation for soca and Caribbean artistry.
Photo: Jono Hirst.
As the curtain closes on the Roots, Rock, Soca Tour, Kes the Band is already focused on the next chapter. The band will soon return to the studio to begin work on new music for an upcoming album, continuing its tradition of pushing creative boundaries while staying true to the sound that has resonated with fans around the world.
The momentum also continues for Kes the Band on stage over Labor Day Weekend as the iconic group takes the stage at the DC Jazz Festival (DCJF), one of the United States’ premier music festivals, taking place September 2–6, 2026. Following the band’s debut on NPR Tiny Desk in the capital of the United States earlier this year, the band continues to expand its reach and introduce Caribbean music to new audiences on some of the world’s most respected stages.
With decades of groundbreaking music, unforgettable live performances, and an unwavering commitment to cultural excellence, Kes the Band continues to redefine what’s possible for Caribbean artists on the global stage. The success of the Roots, Rock, Soca Tour is both a celebration of an extraordinary series of performances and a defining chapter in the band’s enduring legacy, setting the stage for an exciting new era of music and global performances.
Caribbean Buzz
Charly Black, Kevin Lyttle Release ‘Summer Banger’ Produced by Global Hitmaker, Walshy Fire.
Two of the Caribbean’s most legendary hitmakers have joined forces for what is shaping up to be one of the Caribbean’s biggest records of the year.
Dancehall superstar Charly Black, whose global smash “Gyal You A Party Animal” has amassed more than one billion streams worldwide, joins forces with St. Vincent Soca hit maker, Kevin Lyttle, whose timeless international hit “Turn Me On” has generated hundreds of millions of streams. That single remains one of the most recognizable Caribbean songs ever recorded.
The single, “Island Ting,” unites the music of Jamaica and St. Vincent & The Grenadines, celebrating the beauty, confidence, and irresistible energy of island women. More than just a song, “Island Ting” is a celebration of the Caribbean, its vibrant diaspora, and everyone around the world who embraces the region’s unmatched culture, music, and love of celebration.
Blending irresistible Dancehall and Soca influences with an unmistakable tropical vibe, the record is poised to become the soundtrack of the summer, says a media release issued.
Produced by well known international producer, Walshy Fire, with the instrumental crafted by acclaimed producer Jason Julian, “Island Ting” is already making waves across the streaming landscape. The single has secured significant editorial playlist support from Apple Music and Spotify, with Spotify further backing the release through premium placement on its coveted Mobile Home Banner – one of the platform’s most prominent promotional spaces for new music.
Industry insiders are already tipping “Island Ting” as one of the Caribbean’s defining songs of the summer, with momentum expected to carry through Notting Hill Carnival, into Trinidad Carnival 2027, and beyond. From beach parties and festivals to clubs, radio, and playlists around the world, the record has all the ingredients of a timeless Caribbean anthem.
“Island Ting” is available now on all major streaming and digital platforms.
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Caribbean Buzz6 days agoCharly Black, Kevin Lyttle Release ‘Summer Banger’ Produced by Global Hitmaker, Walshy Fire.
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Caribbean Buzz3 days agoKes The Band’s ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour Concludes with Sold-Out International Success.
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