Ebuzz News
Archived: Heavy Voice, Musical Vibes, Grenada Born- Mr. Killa's Ready To Take On T&T!
A small guy with a very big voice. That’s Mr. Killa for you- Grenada’s answer to St. Vincent’s Problem Child some may say but really and truly this guy’s been turning heads in Spice Isle Grenada over the years, and while he may not have made a massive impact in Trinidad and Tobago’s carnival just yet, we’re thinking 2014 just might be his breakthrough year. Mr. Killa spent the week in Trinidad this past week and we caught up with him. He’s extremely excited about the prospects of entertaining the T&T fetters with his hit single, Rolly Polly, telling EBUZZ it’s an honor and a true privilege.
“As a Grenadian artiste, growing up and becoming an international artiste, becoming that person that people now look forward to seeing on stage, it’s a great feeling. Coming into Trinidad- the mecca, is a great feeling and I am honored. Just getting the love from the Trinidadian people is amazing,” he reiterated, adding that from the time he came to T&T in 2005, performing in the Soca Monarch competition that year, and being received; and with his performance being used as part of the Soca Monarch advertisement campaign, it was all a tremendous achievement.
Grenada’s Mr. Killa is pleased with the warm reception he’s been receiving from Trinidad and Tobago.
Today, Mr. Killa whose real name is Hollice Mapp, is a well rounded entertainer. His ability when it comes to music spans genres, including dancehall, reggae, soca and jazz- quite a lot considering his humble beginnings in the town of Gouyave in Grenada. “Coming out from a place that’s known as the rowdy part of Grenada, it feels good,” he said. We enquired about how he’s been giving back to his community and what we found out was pretty humbling. “I’ve been helping even before I rose to the status that I have in entertainment. My greatest achievement right now is being able to save the life of a young man recently, because he tried to kill himself. He is crippled and he just got fed up. He’s my friend. He became my friend about two years ago when somebody told me to come meet my biggest fan,” he explained. Mr. Killa said the the young man would get up each morning and play his favorite Mr Killa tracks on his laptop from morning to nighttime. He however attempted to take his life and it was after that failed attempt that the artiste sat and had a heart to heart conversation with him, assuring him that he would work with him to ensure that such thoughts and feelings never affected him again. Admitting to us that he too had difficult times in the past, he said he even used his personal experiences in life to explain to his fan, the importance of keeping the faith. “I know that feeling and I know how it is,” he said, adding that presently he’s working on a project called, Finding The People Who Care. “It’s a charity foundation and I’m trying to raise funds to build him a ramp in his house and to get him wheelchairs,” he said, highlighting that while he will start with this young friend, he will continue helping others in need.
Already, the Rolly Polly anthem has stuck like glue in the minds of many in T&T. DJs have given permission for the track to be dubbed ‘a big tune’ so with that, Mr. Killa seems likely to be a staple in the season ahead. In a recent radio interview he said he was working on some other songs but wouldn’t reveal anything further. He did however give kudos to Trinidadian producer, David Millien of Millbeatz entertainment, saying, “that youth bad…he real bad,” to much laughter by the radio personality working the shift.
To end things off, we asked Mr. Killa to tell us one thing about himself that remains a mystery to many people. He laughed but eventually revealed that he is a very spiritual person, having studied spirituality for eight years of his life. “I’m also a professional African hand drummer,” he revealed, setting us in motion for many more revelations to come in the season ahead, no doubt!
ROLLY POLLY
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Caribbean Buzz
Trinidad and Tobago, First to Host Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience, This September.
After three celebrated years at Brooklyn’s historic Kings Theatre, the Caribbean Music Awards (CMA) expands beyond the awards stage with the launch of the inaugural Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience, a destination celebration taking place September 18-20, 2026, in Trinidad & Tobago.
This year’s celebration unfolds under the theme, Sounds of the Caribbean, honoring the rhythms, voices, and cultural traditions that have shaped generations and continue to influence music around the world.
Photo Credit: Nikita Small
The Fourth Annual Caribbean Music Awards will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain, marking a milestone moment as the celebration expands into the Caribbean region for the first time.
The Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience will transform CMA from a single-night awards ceremony into a multi-day celebration bringing together artists, fans, industry professionals, creators, tastemakers, media, and cultural leaders from across the Caribbean and around the world.
What’s In Store
The Elite Weekend Experience will feature a series of events celebrating music, culture, and community throughout the destination. Festivities will include an exclusive Welcome Reception, pre-show experiences, the Fourth Annual Caribbean Music Awards, the official after-party, a special steelpan concert presented by Stars and Steel, and additional programming designed to celebrate Trinidad & Tobago’s cultural influence. Additional programming, partnerships, performers, presenters, and special announcements will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
The move to Trinidad & Tobago marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Caribbean Music Awards, while honoring the city where it all began. New York was the ideal birthplace for the Awards, home to one of the world’s largest and most influential Caribbean diaspora communities. It was there that the Caribbean Music Awards established its identity, built its audience, and proved there was a global appetite for a world-class celebration dedicated solely to Caribbean music and culture.
Photo Credit: Nikita Small
Over the past three years, Brooklyn’s iconic Kings Theatre became more than just the home of the Caribbean Music Awards. It became the launchpad for a movement that united artists, industry leaders, fans, and cultures from across the Caribbean and beyond, under one roof. The energy, ambition, entrepreneurial spirit, and relentless hustle that define New York City helped shape the DNA of the Caribbean Music Awards, and that spirit will remain embedded in the brand no matter where it travels.
Now, with a strong foundation established, the Caribbean Music Awards begins the next phase of its evolution by bringing the celebration directly to the Caribbean. As the inaugural host destination for the Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience, Trinidad & Tobago sets the stage for a long-term vision that will see the Awards partner with tourism boards and host destinations to spotlight a different Caribbean nation in future years. By rotating throughout the region, the Caribbean Music Awards aims to celebrate each destination’s unique culture, support tourism, create economic impact, and further strengthen the Caribbean’s creative economy while continuing to unite the global diaspora through music.
Majah Hype Returns, This Time With Nailah.
Bringing even more excitement to this year’s celebration, internationally celebrated Caribbean artiste, Nailah Blackman and acclaimed comedian, entertainer, and cultural personality Majah Hype will host the Fourth Annual Caribbean Music Awards, bringing their unique energy, charisma, and deep connection to Caribbean culture to the stage.
Photo Credit: Nikita Small
For Majah Hype, the 2026 ceremony marks his fourth consecutive year hosting the Caribbean Music Awards, making him one of the longest-standing personalities connected to the celebration. Having witnessed the Awards grow from its early years at Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre into a global platform for Caribbean excellence, Majah continues to bring the humor, passion, and cultural pride that have made him one of the Caribbean diaspora’s most beloved entertainers.
“Four years hosting the Caribbean Music Awards? Mi feel like dem haffi give me my own seat at this point!” said Majah Hype. “But seriously, being part of this journey from day one has been a blessing. I’ve watched this celebration grow, seen the incredible talent come through, and witnessed how much this moment means to our people. To see it expand from Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre to Trinidad & Tobago is something special. Caribbean culture is powerful, the talent is endless, and mi ready fi celebrate everybody who continues to carry our music and our culture to the world.”
For Nailah Blackman, this year’s ceremony represents a new chapter in her relationship with the Caribbean Music Awards. Having experienced the event as an attendee, performer, nominee, and winner, Nailah now steps into the role of host while continuing to be recognized as one of the leading voices in Caribbean music.
Photo Credit: Nikita Small
“The Caribbean Music Awards has been a special part of my journey,” said Nailah Blackman. “I’ve experienced this celebration as a fan, as a performer, as a nominee, and as a winner, and now being able to step into the role of host is truly an honor. To do it in Trinidad, surrounded by our people and our culture, makes this moment even more meaningful. I’m excited to celebrate the incredible artists who continue to push Caribbean music forward.”
Since launching in 2023, the Caribbean Music Awards has grown into one of the premier platforms celebrating Caribbean musical excellence, honoring artists across Dancehall, Reggae, Soca, Konpa, Chutney Soca, Zess, Dennery, Gospel, and emerging Caribbean genres. Last year’s ceremony marked a historic milestone with its BET broadcast debut, further expanding the Awards’ reach and strengthening its position as a leading global celebration of Caribbean music.
Following the announcement of more than 250 nominees across more than 40 categories earlier this year, anticipation continues to build toward what promises to be one of the biggest Caribbean Music Awards celebrations yet. This September, the Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience will bring together the sounds, stories, and cultures that have defined generations of Caribbean creativity, inviting audiences from around the world to experience this year’s theme, Sounds of the Caribbean, from the heart of one of the region’s most influential cultural destinations.
Caribbean Buzz
Terri Lyons Expands. Artiste Shows Immense Creativity on New RC Mas Monday Wear.
There’s no box to be held in. Terri Lyons is proving that as she moves into the Monday Wear market, partnering with RC Mas ahead of Carnival 2027.
The reigning Calypso Monarch Queen of Trinidad and Tobago and multiple time Queen of Queens, on Thursday, revealed her creative ability in the mas making sector, sharing her design, ‘Purple Paradise’ – a carefully created design that’s all hers.
The entertainer told Ebuzztt she had the idea and went to the masterful, Kinaji Couture, admitting that Kinaji is a force in the market. “She does a lot of bathing suits and prototypes for bands locally, regionally and further abroad. I knew she could do it and she did execute it perfectly. I just added the flowers,” said Lyons.
In 2027, RC Mas will bring Mystical Garden to life and with the band’s theme considered, Lyons’ floral embellishment makes it abundantly clear that her creativity is disciplined and mindful. She shared her process exclusively with Ebuzztt, highlighting the time taken to design with pen and paper before sharing with Kinaji who brought it all together seamlessly. “This was a lot of work. I sat and drew it all out and I stuck every flower and the diamond studs myself,” said Terri, before adding, “I ain’t doing that again,” with a laugh. The artiste said she’ll have extra hands on board to assist in future.
