Ebuzz News
Archived: Island People Mas Will Not Hit The Road in C2K17
So if you were planning to jump up with your people in Island People Mas for Carnival 2017, think again! The band this morning announced that it would not be delivering mas in 2017.
Farmer Nappy is an IP man!
Island People Mas has been a giant in the Carnival industry for more than a decade. The band has over the years, attracted their hub of supporters and have pioneered the masquerade amenity arena by becoming the first Carnival band to launch air conditioned mobile restrooms. It’s a known fact that the sun on Carnival Monday and Tuesday tends to be a bit hotter than any other Monday and Tuesday in the year. Now if you’ve played mas under the scorching carnival sun before, you would’ve definitely been thanking the Carnival gods for IP’s innovation.
The Island People headquarters
After blazing the trail year after year, earning many titles, and establishing themselves as a creative force to be reckoned with, the surprising news broke at around 1 o’clock this morning via Facebook post. The simple release cited no specific reason for the band’s decision to discontinue their 2017 launch and instead relaunch in 2018. However, they assured the public that the decision was made with hopes of returning even bigger and better. Island People Mas further attempted to comfort patrons with a promise of new activities and experiences in the future.
The social media post read as follows:
“Dear IP Mas Supporters,
We thank you for your support over the past 12 years, (yes it’s been that long), and what a ride it has been.
You know we have a reputation for game changing and we think it’s time to change the game again. Therefore, it’s with bittersweet emotions that we announce formally our decision to discontinue our presentation for 2017 and look instead at a 2018 re-launch. We are pretty excited about some things that are in the planning stages and look forward to sharing them with you in the not too distant future.
As one of the biggest bands in carnival with an undeniable track-record of success, trust that we’re on to some big and innovative things in the development of new activities/experiences and taking advantage of opportunities soon to be revealed.
We are using this juncture to thank all of our loyal and committed supporters, and the thousands and thousands of people who’ve enjoyed playing with IP Mas over the years. Special thanks to our wonderful sponsors, production teams, designers, service providers, partners, staff and committee for making the past 12 years an amazing journey.
We would certainly look toward you all as we refocus and redeploy our creative energies and venture into the future of mas, carnival and events, while maintaining our signature insane vibes.
Cheers to the years!
Team IP Mas”
EBUZZTT Contributor– Reiana Bharat
Music News
Vybz Kartel To Headline Reggae Sumfest This Year, Alongside Mavado. New Album, ‘God & Time’ Set for June Release.
One of the most influential artists in dancehall history, Vybz Kartel, marks a defining new chapter with his forthcoming album God & Time, slated for release June 5th, 2026.
In recent weeks, dancehall artiste, Vybz Kartel has been receiving some backlash online after sharing videos of himself wearing a bonnet while dancing in his underwear and a robe. The noise increased after he shared it a second time, almost taunting his detractors and making it clear that he is rich and does not care for the unsolicited comments of naysayers. Fast forward days later and like magic, the artiste’s pre-album release publicity stunt ushers in the release of his forthcoming album God & Time, set for a June 5th release. Kartel ain’t no fool.
The upcoming album is symbolic for the artiste who spent 13 years behind bars in Jamaica and was only released in 2024. It is being touted as his most personal and sonically expansive body of work since his release. The album will span genres and features an all star lineup of artistes including, Puerto Rican superstar Farruko, Jamaica’s Skillibeng, and Shenseea, with more artistes to be included.
In a media release, it is highlighted that throughout God & Time, Vybz Kartel moves seamlessly between personal reflections, hard-hitting dancehall anthems, sensual records for the ladies, genre-bending crossover records, and rare moments of vulnerability. It adds that it is inspired by the Jamaican expression “God & Time”—rooted in faith, patience, and destiny—and reflects the artiste’s survival, rebirth, and creative freedom.
The title track evokes the same introspective tone as Kartel’s most streamed post-release hit “God Is The Greatest,” which has surpassed 30 million video views year-to-date.
Produced by longtime collaborator TJ Records alongside Kartel, the album reunites the creative team behind Viking (Vybz Is King) (2015) and King of the Dancehall (2016), which included the RIAA Gold-certified hit “Fever.” God & Time will be released via TJ Records / Vybz Kartel Muzik and distributed by Zojak World Wide.
In support of the new album, Vybz Kartel will headline Reggae Sumfest on July 18th, alongside Mavado, reuniting two dancehall icons whose rivalry defined the genre throughout the 2000s in a landmark moment for Jamaican music and culture.
Ebuzz News
Denise Belfon Thanks Drake’s ‘OVO’ Team for Inclusion of Her ‘Work’ on New Track.
Canadian rapper, Drake is once again teaming up with Caribbean entertainers, delivering a brand new album called, ‘Maid of Honor,’ which is now available on all streaming platforms. It was one of three albums the artiste simultaneously dropped on May 15th – the other two being ICEMAN and HABIBTI.
One of the singles on ‘Maid of Honor,’ called ‘BBW’ features the work of Trinidad and Tobago entertainer, Denise ‘Saucy Wow’ Belfon – her 1998 track, ‘Work.’
The lyrics, ‘Put Yuh Back in It’ became a trending expression on TikTok in 2020 when it became a challenge on the popular platform. That viral opportunity six years ago, led to the song’s resurgence and Belfon’s name being called by younger generations whose parents, aunts and uncles would’ve more than likely grown up on her music and performances in the Caribbean. Fast forward to 2026, and Belfon is once again enjoying a viral moment as news broke that her song had been sampled by Drake. “Everything is legitimate and I want to thank the team – Fabian Alfonso, a copyright specialist out of Trinidad and Tobago ; He was very instrumental in making this deal become reality, said Belfon in a chat with Ebuzztt, before expressing gratitude to several other instrumental people, and Drake’s OVO team.
In 2022, dancehall artiste, Shenseea and rapper, Megan Thee Stallion also sampled ‘Work’ on the single, ‘Lick.’ Belfon, who lives in New York, had, at that time, attended a release party at a nightclub in New York, where Shenseea acknowledged the Soca artiste’s influence on the new release.
The Maid of Honor album delivers 14 singles and added to T&T’s Denise Belfon, Jamaican artiste, Popcaan is also featured on a single called, ‘Amazing Shape.’
Denise Belfon’s personality and charisma has, for a very long time, made her a fan favorite in the Caribbean. A vocal powerhouse and unique stage performer, she has stood the test of time in the Soca music industry, having created massive soca anthems like ‘Work,’ ‘Wine and Bend Over’ and ‘Wining Queen’ among countless other flavorful singles.
