Ebuzz News
Archived: If Kanye West Did It , Nothing’s Standing in the Way of Trinidad’s Jabari Bowman.
Remember when one of Rap and Hip Hop’s finest, Kanye West shut it down- laid down a full track about Jesus Christ and gave radio and club DJs the guilt trip that essentially forced their hand? That track was called ‘Jesus Walks” and it was released in 2004. Powerful to say the least, there’s no doubt that if that song comes on anywhere today, your’e guaranteed to hear people singing along.
Well, nowadays they may label Kanye as mentally unstable among other things, but delivering an all-out gospel-rap single and getting it played in the club and on urban radio, is something he’ll always be credited for. A little like West, a young record producer in Trinidad and Tobago’s on his way to doing major things musically, when it comes to the gospel genre. He’s just 24-years-old.
Jabari Bowman’s got a thing for music and in a chat with Ebuzztt recently, he explained that it started at a really young age. The former St. Mary’s College student, told us he grew up in the Pentecostal church, however, spirituality wasn’t something that was forced onto him by his parents. “My parents weren’t very strict when it came to going to church. That was really left up to us. I had the support of my sister and we made the decision, on our own, to be a part of church,” he said.
Jabari says his parents’ Christian foundation saw him and his sister being taught strong, positive values. “They raised us the best way they knew, as Christians, but it wasn’t very strict- just really good values and it never felt forced,” he said. Like any regular child exposed to the rollercoaster that is life, Jabari says he was privy to everything, including all that comes along with the secular world. “My dad introduced me to everything- Rastafarian music, Hip Hop, Soca – so I wasn’t sheltered. My parents just gave us the information and with the values instilled in us, we chose our paths.”
Stuck in a pandemic in the prime of his life, Jabari admitted, “the world at present is a lot to deal with.” He however said he reminds himself that his spirit is stronger than any physical force.
Eleven years ago, the young, gifted creative visualised his business, calling his production house, JSB Productions and envisioning a music label of the same name. “My identity isn’t entirely about gospel music, although gospel is my preferred genre to work with, but my main focus is positive music- anything that is driven by positive thoughts and can influence positive behaviour,” he affirmed. He says he would do any of the popular genres of music, but he will only be aligned with music that is positive. “The way I do my business, I don’t put my production out into the market widely or in the hands of any label and let them choose which artistes they want on the beat. I always have a personal conversation with the artistes who are interested – and most times I have someone in mind that I’d like to work with,” he explained.
Clearly, for Jabari- music is more than just a paycheque. He’s invested in the effect his music could have on those who eventually consume it. “When I started making beats- it was just making music, but eventually I got to the point where I wanted my music – anything that had my name on it- I wanted it to touch a person’s soul and speak to them in a positive manner,” he said.
Ebuzz News
“We Have so Much to Offer the World.” Shurwayne’s Bringing The Authentic Tobago to Carnival.
The most anticipated period on Tobago’s annual event calendar is just about ready to start and one of the island’s most successful entertainers is leading the charge, delivering an event on Thursday, October 29th that will prove truly memorable. Shurwayne Winchester is Tobago’s golden boy. He has taken the Tobago Carnival product personally, believing it’s a good tool to market the island, if truly executed with love and sustainability in mind.
Shurwayne emerged on the Soca scene over 20 years ago and has not slowed down. He has cemented his name in the Caribbean entertainment landscape over many years and he has represented Tobago with immense pride. Despite having moved to Trinidad, the two-time Road March champion remains deeply connected to his home and is set to host Tobago Love The Xperience in honor of that appreciation. “Together with my friend and old Tobago classmate, Lester Duncan, we’re using this event to show the world what Tobago is truly about. For me, it’s about giving back to the place that I came from. There is no prouder moment than being able to do something like this on your home soil. We wanted to offer those visiting the island, something more than the décor and the lights and music,” said the artiste, noting that this year’s theme for Tobago Love The Xperience is The Harvest. “We’re doing something that’s built around the heritage of Tobago. As somebody who grew up here it has always been important for me to do this – to give the foreigners a chance to see the real Tobago, to give them a chance to fall in love with Tobago – the things that they see and the feeling they get when they experience what we have to share.”
Shurwayne believes the events happening at Carnival should embody the island’s underlying energy and attributes. “When they come here for Carnival, what they experience should make them want to return even outside of the Carnival season,” he said.
Tobago Love The Xperience takes place at the Signal Hill Secondary School from 6pm on Thursday. “We want our people to fall in love with our island too. It’s important for us to love where we come from,” said the entertainer. “This event is about heritage and culture. It’s about the history of Tobago. When people enter the venue they will see and feel exactly what a Tobago Harvest is like even as we fete and celebrate the Carnival season,” he said.
An artiste, promoter and ambassador, Shurwayne Winchester’s undying commitment to preserving what’s good about his nation, is commendable. He was one of the artistes who performed most recently at the funeral service held for the late, great Calypso King of the World, The Mighty Sparrow. “We have so much to offer the world and there are men and women who showed us how to do it with class and dignity. They took what we have and shared it well with the rest of the world. Men like Sparrow and Aunty Rose represented in a particular way for T&T and I just think it’s a fundamental part of being a patriot – someone who puts country before anything else.”
Music News
Stepping Into Her Own, Jalessa Says It’s Time for ‘Freedom.’
For 16-year-old rising star, Jalessa Lazarus, this month has been bitter sweet. The teenager is set to release her new single, ‘Freedom,’ but even as she delivers musically, she is reminded of her grandmother who passed away in May this year, after being diagnosed with Breast Cancer. “She would always tell me I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” said the youngster as she reminisced on the encouragement, she often received from her family matriarch.
Jalessa Lazarus is a talented, young entertainer in the Soca space, and even as her present focus is on the 2027 CXC examinations, her love for music abounds, and so she is still releasing the Teddy Rhymes penned, ‘Freedom,’ with hope of maintaining her standing in the music space in 2027. “This song is all about expressing yourself – encouraging enjoyment and appreciation for the culture of Trinidad and Tobago. I want people to really get to know what we here in T&T are all about – all that we have and all that we can share with the world,” said the artiste.
The song was produced by Millbeatz Music – a familiar space for the entertainer, as she is also being taught to play the piano and guitar under the Millbeatz Entertainment umbrella – under the tutelage of Kevin Millien. “I’m trying my very best to do both music and school. CXC is serious. I have a time-table that helps me with balancing both my studies and music,” she explained. Jalessa is very aware of the importance of a good education. She has a good head on her shoulders, along with parents who keep her grounded, and guide her every step of the way. “I’m doing Maths, English Language, IT, Social Studies, Principles of Business and Office Administration,” she said, assuring that she will release more music upon the completion of her exams. “I want to be an inspiration to other young entertainers coming behind me. I also want to travel – take my music around the world,” she expressed, adding that she has dreams of stepping into the RnB arena one day – her inspiration being Adele.
A proud student of the artform, under the tutelage of artistes like Preedy, Nailah Blackman, Patrice Roberts and Voice, Jalessa says she loves Soca music and thinks colourful language has no place in the genre. It’s a topic that is fast becoming a cause for concern according to some, this as more artistes experiment with the inclusion of expletives in their music. “I do not support colourful language in Soca. It’s unnecessary and I don’t think it should be used in our music – music that we are sharing with the world,” said the youngster. “I think Soca is a different type of music, from anything else. Music is generally a vibe. It’s therapy for people – our music is all about dancing, freeing up, dressing up in costumes and being happy; it’s happy music,” she added.
Her groovy soca single, ‘Freedom,’ a true expression of her personality and what she wants the world to know about the land of her birth, Jalessa Lazarus continues to reach for the stars, all while drawing awareness to serious issues. “I want to take the time to extend hope and prayers to anyone who’s dealing with any type of cancer this month and everyday onward. God is always with you,” she said.
Rooted in her culture and diligently focused on her future, Lazarus plans on releasing an EP and says even though she will sit out competitions in 2027, she will return after the completion of her CXC exams. Her mother, Phylesha meanwhile expressed immense pride in her daughter’s commitment and took a moment to thank Teddy Rhymes for his support and encouragement. “I don’t think she will be going back into junior competitions but we are looking beyond exams and I want to especially thank Teddy for believing in Jalessa and encouraging her.”
For more on Jalessa Lazarus, follow her on her on Instagram @jalessa_lazarus.
