Ebuzz News
Kernal , Shurwayne, Sekon Sta – Scarborough Riddim Amplifies Tobago’s Energy.
As the energy surrounding the upcoming Tobago carnival increases, there’s a riddim that’s aiding in the acknowledgement of the smaller of the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Tobago is seriously buzzing these days.
On Saturday, an event called, ‘Bago Jam’ launched the Tobago Carnival experience. Calling on revelers and culture lovers to revel in Paradise, the event brought the energy of Soca to the fore, with performances by Iwer George, Farmer Nappy, The A Team Band, Leslie Ann Ellis, D’Ziah and the artistes of the Scarborough Riddim- Shurwayne Winchester, Kernal Roberts, Zan, Sekon Sta, Chingee and Adana.
The riddim, which was produced by Stems Production, Chinese Laundry and Rishi Mahato, is described as a party riddim, inspired and dedicated to Tobago. The artistes on the riddim have done tremendous justice to it, with Kernal injecting the refrain, ‘Outside Nice,’ Sekon Sta pushing hard with ‘One Jam’, Chingee beckoning, ‘Come Nah’, Zan and Adana collaboratively complying with the single, ‘We Reach,’ and finally, Shurwayne sealing the deal with a song that’s already being described as the anthem for ‘Bago Carnival,’ – ‘To Be Gonian.’
On Saturday, the six artistes, backed by the A Team Band, presented their tracks as one unit, each bringing a special sweetness to the event that was free and open to the public at Shaw Park in Scarborough. On stage, Sekon Sta ignited big energy, signaling the true start of the festival that will unfold toward the end of October.
Shurwayne– a son of the soil, reminded his countrymen of the beauty that lies in Tobago. “Yuh see this riddim. The Scarborough riddim came out of love,” he said, adding, “This song is written for you. Look out fuh yuh neighbour, look out fuh yuh friend, look out fuh yuh street, look out fuh yuh co-workers, look out fuh yuh family, look out fuh yuh district,” he pleaded as the crowed raised their hands, mobile phone lights on, in unison. His plea comes as Trinidad and Tobago grapples with a murder toll that has surpassed the number of days on the calendar year.
Tobago carnival now officially launched, the festival, which is now the final carnival on the global carnival calendar, is expected to bring much needed tourism to the island.
Caribbean Buzz
Lil’ Bitts Vows Never to Miss de Mas Again as She Prepares for a Jam-packed 2025 Season
After two decades in the business, Lil’ Bitts—aka Shivonne Churche-Isaacs—has made a vow she plans to keep: never again will she sit out Carnival. The multi-talented artiste, known for her infectious energy and stage presence, has had a front-row seat to Trinidad and Tobago’s iconic festival season for years, but it wasn’t always smooth sailing. She still remembers the shock she felt when she made the decision to skip the parades on Carnival Monday and Tuesday one season, only to end up physically sick. “I got sick—like, literally,” she admits. “I’ll never ignore Carnival’s call again.”
This year, Bitts is more than ready to hit the streets with Yuma for an unforgettable Carnival 2025. The excitement is palpable as she gears up for what’s sure to be a thrilling season, both on and off the road.
Rising to the Occasion with “Brighter Days”
With five songs under her belt and a growing social media presence, Lil’ Bitts is enjoying a well-deserved moment in the spotlight. Her Instagram and other platforms have become hubs of interaction with fans, opening doors to new collaborations and promotional opportunities. “Social media is the ultimate artiste toolkit,” she says, urging fellow performers to embrace the digital world to connect with their audiences.
One of her most highly anticipated projects is the track “Brighter Days,” which she says has been in the works for three years. Produced by Gaffa Productions, the song has become a personal passion project. “This one is really special,” she shares. “The world needs positivity right now, and I feel like this song is necessary.” She credits the magic of modern technology for making it all come together, working with talented producers like Stemz, District 6 Studios, and Benje Music in hybrid mode from different locations in the region. She’s also collaborated with M1 on a single called “Wetter” for the 2025 season. “We’ve been talking about working together for years, and I’m so happy it’s finally happened,” she says. “M1’s a unique talent; there aren’t a lot of artistes like him.”
A Dream Come True: Chutney and Multi-Cultural Magic
As if things weren’t busy enough, Lil’ Bitts has recently ventured into the world of chutney music. She got a call from the Pungalunks Factory to contribute vocals for a track with Reshma Ramlal, the Warrior Princess herself. The track, “Poowah Nah Ready,” is a dream come true for Bitts, who has always had an affinity for East Indian culture. “When I was a kid, I loved dressing in Indian clothes and watching Bollywood movies. I knew I wanted to do a Chutney song one day, but it had to feel natural. And this—this feels right,” she said. Bitts reflects on how much she’s learned and appreciated about Trinidad and Tobago’s multicultural beauty through this experience. “The energy on set, the unity—it was amazing. We’re one people, and that’s something I never want to forget.” The collaboration has already earned a place in the spotlight, with Ramlal making it into the semi-finals of the Chutney Soca Monarch competition.
Caribbean Buzz
$1 Million Up for Grabs In New Ultimate Soca Champions Competition.
Trinidad and Tobago is set to stage a revamped International Soca Monarch competition in what is now dubbed The Ultimate Soca Champion competition. The event’s final will be staged on Thursday, February 20th, with the semi final round set for Sunday, February 9th. The announcement was made earlier today by organisers, at a media conference held at Queen’s Hall, Port of Spain.
The organisers said the competition will not be split into Groovy/Power categories, however they said there will be special prizes for Best Groovy Soca, Best Power Soca and People’s Champion, based on public votes.
The event will feature the Ultimate Soca Champion reality TV show which organizers say is aimed at giving viewers an intimate look into the competition. “We believe this will help our culture to reach international audiences when packaged properly,” the team said.
In-Person Auditions will take place on Saturday, January 25th, 2025 at 9:00 AM at the Fernando Academy of the Performing Arts (SAPA). Regional/ International Artistes who are not in Trinidad and Tobago, are required to submit video auditions from January 20th at 8:00am to January 26th at 11:59pm.
“We aim to make this a production that captivates
audiences worldwide,” said Rome. “The Ultimate Soca Champion Competition will not only
elevate soca to international standards but also inspire the next generation of artistes.”
For registration, submission guidelines, and updates, visit ultimatesocachampion.com from Monday January 20th, or email ultimatesocachampion@gmail.com.
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