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Caribbean Buzz

Grenada to the World. Sabrina Francis Is Our New ‘It Girl.’

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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

Sabrina Francis during her performance at the Big Black Box in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

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. 

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Caribbean Buzz

Lil’ Bitts Vows Never to Miss de Mas Again as She Prepares for a Jam-packed 2025 Season

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Shivonne Church- Isaacs (Lil’ Bitts) has been in the soca industry for 20 years.

After two decades in the business, Lil’ Bitts—aka Shivonne Churche-Isaacs—has made a vow she plans to keep: never again will she sit out Carnival. The multi-talented artiste, known for her infectious energy and stage presence, has had a front-row seat to Trinidad and Tobago’s iconic festival season for years, but it wasn’t always smooth sailing. She still remembers the shock she felt when she made the decision to skip the parades on Carnival Monday and Tuesday one season, only to end up physically sick. “I got sick—like, literally,” she admits. “I’ll never ignore Carnival’s call again.”

This year, Bitts is more than ready to hit the streets with Yuma for an unforgettable Carnival 2025. The excitement is palpable as she gears up for what’s sure to be a thrilling season, both on and off the road.

Rising to the Occasion with “Brighter Days”

Lil’ Bitts is happy to add something different to her repertoire, with ‘Brighter Days.’

With five songs under her belt and a growing social media presence, Lil’ Bitts is enjoying a well-deserved moment in the spotlight. Her Instagram and other platforms have become hubs of interaction with fans, opening doors to new collaborations and promotional opportunities. “Social media is the ultimate artiste toolkit,” she says, urging fellow performers to embrace the digital world to connect with their audiences.

One of her most highly anticipated projects is the track “Brighter Days,” which she says has been in the works for three years. Produced by Gaffa Productions, the song has become a personal passion project. “This one is really special,” she shares. “The world needs positivity right now, and I feel like this song is necessary.” She credits the magic of modern technology for making it all come together, working with talented producers like Stemz, District 6 Studios, and Benje Music in hybrid mode from different locations in the region. She’s also collaborated with M1 on a single called “Wetter” for the 2025 season. “We’ve been talking about working together for years, and I’m so happy it’s finally happened,” she says. “M1’s a unique talent; there aren’t a lot of artistes like him.”

A Dream Come True: Chutney and Multi-Cultural Magic

Teaming up with Reshma Ramlal, Bitts has been reminded of the beauty that exists in T&T.

As if things weren’t busy enough, Lil’ Bitts has recently ventured into the world of chutney music. She got a call from the Pungalunks Factory to contribute vocals for a track with Reshma Ramlal, the Warrior Princess herself. The track, “Poowah Nah Ready,” is a dream come true for Bitts, who has always had an affinity for East Indian culture. “When I was a kid, I loved dressing in Indian clothes and watching Bollywood movies. I knew I wanted to do a Chutney song one day, but it had to feel natural. And this—this feels right,” she said. Bitts reflects on how much she’s learned and appreciated about Trinidad and Tobago’s multicultural beauty through this experience. “The energy on set, the unity—it was amazing. We’re one people, and that’s something I never want to forget.” The collaboration has already earned a place in the spotlight, with Ramlal making it into the semi-finals of the Chutney Soca Monarch competition.

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Caribbean Buzz

$1 Million Up for Grabs In New Ultimate Soca Champions Competition.

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Trinidad and Tobago is set to stage a revamped International Soca Monarch competition in what is now dubbed The Ultimate Soca Champion competition. The event’s final will be staged on Thursday, February 20th, with the semi final round set for Sunday, February 9th. The announcement was made earlier today by organisers, at a media conference held at Queen’s Hall, Port of Spain.

Soca artiste Voice is one of many big name artistes who’ve won big in the old International Soca Monarch Competition.

The organisers said the competition will not be split into Groovy/Power categories, however they said there will be special prizes for Best Groovy Soca, Best Power Soca and People’s Champion, based on public votes.

The event will feature the Ultimate Soca Champion reality TV show which organizers say is aimed at giving viewers an intimate look into the competition. “We believe this will help our culture to reach international audiences when packaged properly,” the team said.

In-Person Auditions will take place on Saturday, January 25th, 2025 at 9:00 AM at the Fernando Academy of the Performing Arts (SAPA). Regional/ International Artistes who are not in Trinidad and Tobago, are required to submit video auditions from January 20th at 8:00am to January 26th at 11:59pm.

“We aim to make this a production that captivates
audiences worldwide,” said Rome. “The Ultimate Soca Champion Competition will not only
elevate soca to international standards but also inspire the next generation of artistes.”

For registration, submission guidelines, and updates, visit ultimatesocachampion.com from Monday January 20th, or email ultimatesocachampion@gmail.com.

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