Ebuzz News
Archived: Hinds Says Rebooting Is Necessary, Hypasounds Makes Impact as CropOver Closes In
There’s no way that Caribbean people can be held back- not when it comes to their carnival! No matter how tight their pockets may be, Caribbean people always find a way when it comes to the ultimate caribbean festival! CropOver is Barbados’ answer to Trinidad and Tobago’s mother of all carnivals and so, we’ve been looking on in anticipation for the hits that are always expected to pour out of that season straight into Trinidad and Tobago’s Greatest Show on Earth. Strangely though, there haven’t been a whole lot so far but we’re not giving up just yet. In recent days, we’ve been hearing the name Hypasounds being mentioned and when we took a listen, we liked… and maybe you will too!
Hypasounds is having a pretty good CropOver season.
Barbados’s Cropover culminates with the Grand Kadooment on August 3rd so the countdown is definitely on. Soca queen, Alison Hinds, in a chat with ETCETERABUZZ.COM back in February said she had a plan in place for CropOver- the festival of her hometown. We had spoken with the soca hitmaker about being in the soca arena for so many years, asking her whether she ever becomes tired of it. Her response was real and certainly true. “Yes, you do get tired sometimes and sometimes you just have to step back for a little bit and reboot and come again, which is kinda what I did with my absence from Trinidad carnival. I felt like I had to step back for a little bit because it started to become monotonous and routine. I don’t want it to feel like that,” she had said, quite frankly.
Hinds has been a part of the soca and carnival landscape since 1987 believe it or not, and although she was not born on the island of Barbados, but rather London, the Bajan beauty as she’s known, can handle any kind of wuk up! You see, Hinds’ both parents are Barbados born and bred and Alison migrated to Barbados from London with her mother at the age of 11. This past Carnival in T&T, Hinds had told us of her love for Destra Garcia’s hit single, “Lucy” a track that was written by T&T’s Jason Shaft Bishop of Shaft Vibes Entertainment. Now, we’ve learnt that Hinds has partnered with Shaft Vibes Entertainment heading into the Trinidad and Tobago 2016 season, with high hopes of course, that she too will score a major hit single or maybe even two!
Now, back to Hypasounds! This Bajan artiste has a single called, “How She Like It” that’s heating up the airwaves in Trinidad already and based on what’s been the norm over the years, we’re likely to see this man make his way to T&T, riding the song’s wave of course! Hypasounds, better keep those fingers crossed.
What do you guys think? Take a listen…
CROPOVER TUNE…
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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.
