Ebuzz News
Jalessa Is The Future. Young T&T Talent Ready for Junior Soca Monarch, Next Tuesday.
Beautiful and immensely talented, Trinidad and Tobago Soca star on the rise, Jalessa Lazarus is set to perform in the upcoming semi- finals of the Junior Soca Monarch competition. ‘Waistline,’ a track written by Jason ‘Shaft’ Bishop and produced by Millbeats Entertainment, hears the 14-year-old speak on youths her age enjoying carnival, albeit without the vulgarity. She is conscious and smart. In fact, now being tutored at a private secondary institution, Jalessa balances her budding music career with academics and other performance art subjects that she enjoys.
“I enrolled Jalessa in a private secondary school when I realized how tiring it became for her with 18 subjects. Now she has the flexibility to do what she enjoys doing, and focuses on four primary subjects,” explained her mother, Phylicia. The young entertainer’s family has been extremely supportive of her pursuits over the years. “As a parent, I felt it was important for me to step up and do what was necessary for my child’s wellbeing. She is enrolled in guitar, vocal training with Tiffany Paul, piano lessons and at dance with Xtreme Dance Academy as well,” said Lazarus.
For Jalessa, the journey continues to be an exciting one. Surrounded by her musical peers like Yung Kymani, Wizabella, Zachary Ransom and others, Jalessa says the energy is always positive. “We have each other’s back and no matter what; we know we are all winners,” said the Arima born youngster. Beyond this, Jaleesa is looking forward to the release of a new collaborative single done with another youngster in the business. “I’m just looking forward to performing for audiences, sharing my talent and partaking in the competition,” she said, explaining that her desire is always to do her best and become better than she was before.
Coached in piano and guitar by Kevin Millien, Jalessa Lazarus is working her way into the world of music in a dynamic way. Her strong personal ambitions, strengthened by the love and support of her family, pushes her to new heights annually. “I’d like to work with Preedy and Patrice Roberts one day,” she said, noting that along with Soca artiste, Voice, these two singers are in fact, her influences in music.
Amid ongoing concern over school bullying in Trinidad and Tobago, and across the world, the young entertainer says she hopes this can be addressed with intention by authorities. “Jalessa was the victim of bullying as a child. Her father died before she was born and she was harassed about it at school,” said her mother. “What I did then, was reassure my child of her worth and I explained that bullies simply need love.”
On February 23rd, Jalessa will be a part of a meet and greet event at Solange Fashion, East Gates Mall, Trincity. “It’s an opportunity for kids her age and younger to come out and interact with her,” said her mom. For Phylicia, the support and earnest encouragement of her child, comes second nature. “I encourage every parent who seen a talent in their child, to push them into their purpose. Do not wait until they are older. Support them and do it now,” she urged, highlighting that gifts always make way for those who possess them.
As the Carnival season in T&T heats up and Jalessa prepares for the finals of the Junior Soca Monarch competition on February 25th, she is anticipating the support from all of T&T. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be and I’m very excited to once again be a part of the carnival experience,” said the young singer.
For more on Jalessa, follow her on Instagram @jalessa_lazarus.
Ebuzz News
Seven Songs. One Big Artiste. Grenada’s Spice Mas Better Be Ready for Skinny Banton.
Spice Mas, like every other carnival, is seasonal, but for Carriacou, Grenada artiste, Skinny Banton, music isn’t. He has unleashed seven songs in 2026, and like clockwork he’s locked in and ready to deliver his energy, good vibes and storytelling strengths to audiences celebrating another memorable Spice Mas experience this year.
For Skinny Banton, whose real name is Shirlan George, Grenada’s Jab culture is fuel to his fire. In the past, songs like ‘Soak It Good’ and ‘Wrong Again,’ brought him tremendous acclaim across the region and internationally. This season, The Jambalasse project is anticipated to be one of the artiste’s most powerful contributions, signaling his intentionality to promote his country’s authentic culture, wherever he goes. “With this project we’re trying to keep the history, while celebrating the present by revamping a song that was done by Moss International 35 years ago,” he said. That song was called ‘Jambalasse Rule,’ released in 1991. “We revamped the riddim because it was one of the first songs considered to be an original Jab Jab song from Grenada, at that time,” he explained.
Proud of his personal efforts to keep the awareness on Grenada’s cultural traditions, Skinny Banton advocates for the continued celebration of these traditions and understands his role as an artiste. “No matter what we face as artistes in this space, we stay true to our mission. I have several songs that the people will enjoy in Spice Mas and beyond. One of my personal favourites is ‘Pain,’ a song I would like to share with my fans in Trinidad and Tobago when Carnival 2027 comes around,” he said.
Strengthening Others
Other tracks released by Skinny include, ‘When Yuh Eating,’ ‘Right Up,’ ‘Black Fuh Juvay,’ ‘Can’t Stop Us,’ ‘Carnival Traffic’ featuring Jamaican artiste, I Octane, ‘My Behaviour,’ featuring Tonic X and ‘Water Line Burst,’ collaboratively done with Nicki Akull. “The collaborations done with Tonic X and Nicki Akull mean a lot to me. They are upcoming artistes who I share good vibes with. When I was younger and had hopes of connecting and collaborating with bigger artistes, it was not easy,” he recalled, adding that it often felt daunting. He says because he understands the feeling, he is happy to be able to help these up-and-coming entertainers. “This was just my way of giving them strength and encouragement. I feel like nobody takes you seriously when you don’t have a foot in the door – they refuse to embrace you because you are not known. I want them to keep pushing after this,” he added.
Dedicated and refocused, Skinny Banton is pushing full speed ahead. “I’m doing music videos for most of the songs. I already have a video for ‘Black Fuh Juvay,’ which has been uploaded to YouTube and all other streaming platforms, and the video for ‘My Behaviour’ with Tonic X is also out,” he said. Grateful to Jamaican artiste, IOctane for the strength given to him on their collaboration on the single, ‘Carnival Traffic,’ Skinny said this particular song is one that he loves, and he hopes the people will, as well.
For the past three years, the artiste had been approached by upcoming entertainer, Nicki Akull for the single they eventually brought forward this year. “Waterline Buss – Nicki Akull’s persistence and determination really brought this song into existence,” he said, happy to have eventually come around to making it happen. Even with such a vast number of singles released, Skinny Banton says he is ready to work with artistes across the Diaspora. “I’m still creating, still working and I’m looking forward to establishing more ground in the Soca community and around the world.”
Social Media, Music and Trends.
Certainly attuned to the necessary promotional adjustments that many artistes have been forced to adopt, Skinny Banton says he hopes that despite the rise in social media content distribution, true talent and good music is not sacrificed. “I feel like content creation online should not take away from artistes creating and delivering great music, because without the content, the music should still stand on its own, and with the content, the people still need the music,” he shared. “I also feel like a lot of trends are created from making yourself an online spectacle and not the music being able to sustain itself, so you may get attention for what you post as content, but the music you’re posting the content for sometimes does not have enough substance to sustain itself for longevity,” he rationalized.
Thoughtful, conscious and truly talented, Skinny Banton is a necessary part of the Caribbean’s creative landscape. His storytelling ability, coupled with his appreciation for the art and vocal capacity, makes him an artiste everyone should tap in to. “I want to encourage the young artistes to stay focused and keep pushing and never be discouraged by the many things that’s said on social media. They must work hard to establish their business to suit them, because every artiste will do things differently, when it comes to the business; Never be discouraged by the naysayers,” he advised. He thanked his fans for their love and support over the years. “People who’ve been supporting from day one and continue to support, as well as the new supporters I’ve gotten along the way – thank you. To the DJs and radio personalities, I appreciate you. One hand doesn’t clap. Thank you for keeping my songs on rotation and I hope you all continue to support me.”
Music News
JrDynamite Gets Real On New Single “Fake Energy.”
