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.
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.
NEW MUSIC
Ebuzz News
Patrice Roberts: “I Love Everything I Release.”
Patrice Roberts is set to give fans a free, full LIVE show- “A Night With Patrice” complete with full band, on Thursday night. She recently spoke on the upcoming event, telling radio personalities at 961.WEFM that she’ll be giving back to fans in this way at FLAVA Village, at the Queen’s Park Savannah. Asked which of her songs are her favorite this season, she started with ‘Capital’ with Mical Teja, and followed with ‘Sweet Spot,’ but subsequently said, “I love everything I release.”
Patrice is a crowd favorite. This year, she released ‘Rock So’ – an anthem that many are singing along to. She said the song is not personal, but rather, relatable – something she appreciated when she received it.
The free event on January 22nd is described as something for all of her faithful fans. It starts at 9pm and Patrice will be backed by the A Team Band.
On Sunday, she is set to take the stage at the A Class Experience – an event hosted by the A Team Band at the Cipriani Labour College. That event will feature a number of soca stars and is expected to be a blockbuster Carnival experience for real fans of soca.
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