Caribbean Buzz
Heightened Anticipation for Next Weekend’s One Love -The Experience.
Caribbean Love Promotions Limited, hosts of reggae concert, One Love The Experience is ready to deliver a concert of epic proportions this month. The team behind the massive undertaking is not new to event promotion. They have successfully executed a number of parties and community events over the years and on April 13th, all of Trinidad and Tobago will get the opportunity to experience what they assure will be a concert like no other.
As the team prepares to deliver some of reggae music’s most mesmerizing artistes from Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, organizers assure that T&T’s reggae artistes, Isasha, King David, Mr. King, Black Loyalty and Jamelody, will receive the recognition deserved. With gates opening at 7pm they are urging patrons to show their support and patriotism by coming out early and experiencing the show from beginning to end.
Mario Robertson is one of the organizers of ‘One Love- The Experience.’ Together with the rest of his dedicated promotional team, he has thoughtfully assembled Glen Washington, Bushman, Louie Culture and Warrior King with the understanding that these artistes have not been seen by the people of T&T, for quite some time. The artistes, with the exception of Jamaica’s Glen Washington and Warrior King, will all be backed by T&T’s Kornerstone band. “It’s really important for us to give credit to our homegrown artistes and the musicians of Kornerstone because if we’re honest with ourselves, they are just as deserving of the fanfare, as any international artiste is,” said Robertson. He went on to explain that this concert will offer T&T’s acts a true opportunity to showcase their individual music catalogues as they share the stage with their counterparts from Jamaica.
One Love – The Experience.
On the premise of the concert and its importance at this time, Robertson said, “Our communities are reeling from loss. There is so much pain and trauma in our society. We need music that can heal, promote love, soothe and calm the spirit.” He explained that this was primarily the reason these particular artistes were chosen to build the One Love cast and explained that Caribbean Love Promotions Limited’s goal is to create a movement in T&T, through music, that will ultimately spread the message of peace, love, unity and brotherhood.
Security at the venue, a key point of assurance, Robertson and his team are hard at work, putting things in place. “We definitely understand and agree that the safety and comfort of all patrons is tremendously important. This area is one of the top priorities for us, on the night,” he said, revealing that security officers will be diligently working both inside and outside of the venue.
Excited to return to T&T and hit the stage on April 13th, at the Queen’s Park Savannah, the ever-conscious, Bushman has expressed his sincere gratitude to the people of T&T for always embracing him with open arms. This year, the 20th anniversary of his timeless hit single, ‘Down Town,’ the artiste anticipates performing the track at ‘One Love The Experience’ while at the same time, unleashing a brand new single called, ‘Whyne Dung.’ He says the new song is a fresh and vibrant addition to his musical repertoire. “I look forward to a night of unity, rhythm and positive vibes as I prepare to deliver a performance that truly reflects the resilience and spirit of reggae music.”
“This concert will invoke that nostalgia that comes along with memories,” said Robertson. He noted that many people would have grown up hearing the music of these artistes, reiterating, “It’s really an honor to bring them back to the big stage in T&T this year.”
For more on ‘One Love The Experience,’ fans of reggae music can visit Instagram.
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Caribbean Buzz
Destra Delivers Powerfully at Reflections.
“If this sharing that I’m doing touches anyone, I’m truly grateful. None of us are perfect. Some days you’ll feel good, some days you won’t, but it’s all part of the journey. Sometimes what you’re looking for is right on the horizon, and the moment you give up, you miss it. If my testimony makes anyone feel something, then my work here is done.” – DESTRA GARCIA
Trinidad and Tobago received a musical showcase of spiritual awakening yet again this past Saturday, at Destra’s ‘Reflections: Sound. Spirit. Surrender.” The event took place at Queen’s Hall, St. Ann’s and proved to be a truly inspiring and uplifting musical experience.
From the onset, the show set a standard that fans of good music with powerful lyrics, would rave about for weeks. David Rudder – a cultural icon of Calypso music out of Trinidad and Tobago, welcomed the audience as he hit the stage first delivering the very fitting, ‘High Mas.’ It was a powerful blessing no doubt – something that would lead into a seamless spiritual production. He was subsequently joined on stage by Destra, something that created a full-circle moment that drew immediate emotion from the audience.
Known for her unmistakeable vocal ability, Destra took her audience on a carefully curated musical journey, opening her set with Free Again before transitioning into slowed-down, soul-stirring renditions of some of her most beloved songs, including Love Somebody and Fly and with each performance, she revealed a different layer of her artistry, offering vulnerability, reflection, and strength.
One of the night’s most touching highlights came as Garcia shared the stage with her daughter, Xaiya, for a heartfelt duet of The Prayer. Beginning at the piano, Xaiya gently set the tone before joining her mother in song, creating an intimate moment that resonated deeply with the audience.
The production, which was creatively directed by Zara Bartels and Isoke Edwards, also showcased the incredible talent of father and son pan duo Martin and De’jean Cain as well as the Maria Regina Grade School and St. Joseph’s Convent Port- of- Spain choirs, whose vibrant and polished performances brought a refreshing, youthful energy to the stage. Gospel artiste, Nisa joined Garcia for a powerful duet of Bridge Over Troubled Water. She also performed her original composition Make Me Over, adding another layer of spiritual depth to the evening.
As the show built toward its finale, Garcia delivered a commanding rendition of Ella Andall’s Bring Down the Power, followed by classic hymns including A Little More Oil in My Lamp. This climactic segment was elevated by the presence of traditional belle dancers and African drummers, creating a rich, cultural fusion that brought the audience to its feet. Beyond the performances, the overall production, brought to life through Bridgette Wilson’s choreography and Atiba Borde’s costuming, stood out for its seamless execution, immersive ambience, and thoughtful storytelling, reinforcing Reflections as more than just a concert, but a transformative experience.
Reflections certainly delivered a powerful blend of music, filled with deep messages and meaning. In what is a very spiritual season, Destra, through the delivery of ‘Reflections,’ has carved out a space for inspiration and connection within Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural landscape – something that many would agree, is a necessity more than an option.
Caribbean Buzz
Belize’s Shyne, Talks Culture and Governance at Island Music Conference. Challenges Caribbean Leaders.
Belizean political leader and notable Hip Hop figure , The Honourable, Dr. Moses “Shyne” Barrow has identified Jamaica as a regional blueprint for how culture and governance can work together to build sustainable industry.
Delivering a keynote address entitled, ‘From Stage to State’ at the Island Music Conference (IMC) in Kingston, Jamaica last week, Barrow urged Caribbean governments to move beyond symbolic support of the arts and toward structured public–private partnerships.
“These conferences are so very important,” he told delegates, describing information exchange as critical in an evolving global music economy. Responding to a question from Overtime Media about cultural influence as an economic engine, Barrow pointed to Jamaica’s global footprint. “The work of great musicians such as Bob Marley and Shabba Ranks, as well as the development of Reggae and Dancehall music, has done more for the Jamaican tourism product than anything else,” he said.
PHOTO: Overtime Media.
According to Barrow, Jamaica exemplifies how successive political administrations, despite partisan rivalry, maintained consistent implementation policies that enabled private-sector investment in the music industry. “They were fighting each other, but giving the same implementation,” he noted, crediting that alignment for helping Jamaican music achieve unmatched global recognition.“There is no one in the world who does not know about Jamaica — its music, its food and its culture,” he noted.
Barrow framed his own political evolution as rooted in Hip Hop’s entrepreneurial DNA. Calling his transition from performer to legislator “quintessential Hip-Hop,” he cited moguls who expanded beyond music into business and influence, arguing that creative thinkers belong in positions of power. “We belong in parliament. We belong in the cabinet. We belong in the Prime Minister’s office and in the President’s office,” he said. He also addressed emerging challenges facing the creative sector, particularly artificial intelligence and intellectual property protection.“We need to protect our rights. We need to protect our work and that can only be legislated,” Barrow warned. “If we don’t get involved in the legislative process, we’re going to wake up one day and find that our rights are gone.”
Calling the human mind “the greatest thing on planet Earth,” he cautioned against over-reliance on technology, stressing that creatives must remain central to innovation. Reflecting candidly on his past, including a decade of incarceration following a 1999 nightclub shooting, Barrow described his return to Belize as a shift toward service. “By then, my dreams had already come true,” he said. “But when I looked around my country, I saw people still struggling. So I chose a life of service.”
Barrow also revealed plans to return to the stage with a world tour marking the 25th anniversary of his debut album, while reaffirming his commitment to public service. Closing his address, he challenged Caribbean leaders to diversify the profiles of those shaping legislation.“The Caribbean’s creative class has already shaped global culture,” he said. “Now we must shape policy.”
– NIGEL TELESFORD / Overtime Media.
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