Ebuzz News
It’s Time for Tobago to Shine. Producer Does the Unthinkable Before ‘Bago Carnival.
As the entertainment spotlight in Trinidad and Tobago turns to the smaller of the twin islands, Tobago, major moves are being made by some, to amplify the upcoming Tobago carnival. One music producer, Diamond Dale who’s based in Boston, has been hard at work, delivering a project collaborated on with well-known Tobago entertainment hub, Jade Monkey, a project he says is proudly Tobago.
The Jade Monkey Carnival project has illuminated four Tobagonian artistes. Diamond Dale says the project started off ahead of Trinidad and Tobago’s 2025 carnival season, however efforts to complete it failed then, as both he and many artistes approached, were absorbed in the season’s bustling activity. Shurwayne Winchester was the lone artiste who had voiced a song on the production and Dale recalls Shurwayne later asking him to share the riddim with another artiste out of Tobago. “He shared it with Mikie Tower – a Tobago artiste and producer, and Mikie went into the studio,” said Dale. One thing led to another and before long, the riddim had been sturdily supported by four Tobagonian artistes. “I hadn’t realized it until one day while driving, it hit me. I called Shurwayne and I asked him if he’d realized that the riddim was all Tobagonian artistes. I suggested that it be released for Tobago Carnival this year and he agreed.”
Now, as momentum builds for the fourth installment of the festival, Tobago’s Mikie Tower, Verse, J- Kez and Shurwayne Winchester are set to share their energy on the Jade Monkey Carnival Project. “It’s a Bouyon flavoured riddim, mixed in with the traditional Soca sound. With the explosion of Bouyon around the region and even internationally, it’s as good a time as any, to deliver music that fuses our Trinbagonian sound with what’s hot,” said the executive producer. With the assistance of Dominican producer, Dada, the riddim was completed with each song written by the respective artiste. “I’m really happy to be a part of something that’s home grown- a powerful show of camaraderie among artistes from Tobago who respect each other and are giving something to show the world that Tobago’s artistes are just as good as every artiste in the region,” said Diamond Dale. He says he hopes this effort will help build more confidence in Tobago’s artistes. “I would definitely encourage producers and songwriters to engage the Tobago artistes more. They have the ability to do just what the Trinidad acts are doing, but they need to be given the same opportunities.”
Tobago Carnival 2025 climaxes on October 24th through the 26th. “This festival belongs to the people of Tobago and it’s a representation of the rich tapestry of cultural traditions and creativity they possess. I’m really happy about this and I think it just might have been God’s work because the way it turned out being all Tobago artistes on this riddim, is nothing short of remarkable,” he said.
The project will be released this week and even as several popular entertainers sprinkle their special Soca sauce on the scene, Diamond Dale and the Tobago artistes on the Jade Monkey Carnival Project are confident that the people of Tobago will enjoy their contributions to the carnival. “There’s enough room for everyone. It’s important for us to help each other grow and Tobago’s annual carnival has the ability to offer its people that opportunity.”
Expressing a strong sense of gratitude for the opportunity, Diamond Dale said, “I’m really grateful to Shurwayne for believing in me. He gave me the encouragement to get into production and it’s been a dream come true. He opened doors for me and I hope what I’ve done here with this riddim, will open doors for these Tobago artistes because, quite frankly, they deserve it.” He extended his immense gratitude to the management at Jade Monkey for their role in investing and supporting the project.
Ebuzz News
Patrice Roberts Pulls 10K Plus Crowd At Flava Village in Port-of-Spain.
The national Carnival Commission says more than 10,000 patrons came out to Flava Village at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Thursday night to see female Soca artiste, Patrice Roberts.
An event dubbed, ‘Always Us,’ held as a free showcase for Carnival lovers, delivered a number of truly entertaining soca stars, among them, Shal Marshall, Shurwayne Winchester, Nadia Batson, Farmer Nappy and Mical Teja. The NCC, in a media statement said, “an estimated 8,000 people filled the popular Carnival venue, with an additional 2,000patrons enjoying the show from viewing screens along The Drag, creating an electric Carnival atmosphere despite heavy rainfall earlier in the day.”
With her usual high energy performances, Patrice held the attention of fans throughout the night.The concert was described by the artiste as a heartfelt “thank you” to her fans and
supporters. NCC’s Chief Executive Officer, Keiba Jacob-Mottley, said the organisation welcomed the opportunity to partner with Roberts. “We commend Patrice for her decision to give back in this meaningful way and applaud her commitment to ensuring that high-quality local entertainment remains accessible to everyone during the Carnival season, Mottley said, adding, “Our collaboration reinforces the NCC’s focus on creating memorable Carnival experiences that celebrate our artistes while removing financial barriers for the public,” she added.
The NCC CEO noted that the Flava Food Village, one of two signature Carnival villages at the
Savannah, alongside the John Cupid Carnival Village, is offered as a vibrant, inclusive space
where patrons can enjoy food, culture, and nightly performances free of charge. She added
that other NCC events, such as “Welcome to the Gayelle” represent the continuing work at
delivering a successful Carnival 2026.
David Baptiste, President of the Carnival Entrepreneurs Association, described the night as a milestone for vendors at the Savannah. “Last night was truly beautiful and something I have never seen before – an event of this magnitude in terms of crowd size, and people supporting the vendors. Many vendors sold out last night. We need more of this, and I am looking forward to the next event. Events like these boost business for our vendors at the Savannah and make them truly feel like they are a part of the Carnival festival,” Baptiste said.
Ebuzz News
Squeezy Rankin’s Pivot. Artiste Goes Hard into Calypso to Change Mindsets.
From dancehall music with rough lyrical content to social commentary that aims at changing mindsets, East Trinidad native, Squeezy Rankin says he has found his true calling in Calypso music. The entertainer is on the road to the preliminary round of the Calypso Monarch Competition later this month, with a single called ‘Rat Race’ – this, one year after ‘Justice’ influenced younger audiences to take a stronger look at the Calypso genre, something that he hopes he can continue to do as his journey in music continues.
In a recent radio interview, the reigning Young King, whose real name is Anthony La Fleur, said prior to 2025, he had not done music professionally in 13 years. Jumping back into the spotlight, he said, was a bit intimidating, but the exposure last year has prepared him for 2026 and the artiste is expected to confidently claim his space in the Calypso Monarch competition this year.
As real as it gets, Squeezy Rankin- a man on the ground, has always fought for his place in the music industry locally. Now, as Calypso music embraces him even more, he says he believes he’s found his place. “I plan on releasing two songs during the year because I want to change the narrative that Calypso music is old people music,” he said, adding that his hope is that urban radio stations see the value in sharing topics of social commentary, such as ‘Justice’ and ‘Rat Race’- songs deep in meaning and valuable beyond measure, in the greater scheme of things.
Determined to change mindsets one song at a time, Squeezy Rankin says his strong suit is certainly social commentary and he will not, at any time, delve into political commentary. “I was advised by someone who is deep in politics to stay out of it and I literally listened. You know sometimes we hear people, but we aren’t listening. I thought about what he said, and it made sense. I literally listened, even though they say I don’t listen,” he said with a laugh.
‘Rat Race’ was written by Squeezy and Angelo Pantin with production by Q-Ban Production.
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