KES are the first soca act, and the first artists from Trinidad & Tobago, to be featured in Global Spin, the Recording Academy’s new digital performance series highlighting artists from around the world.
Airing biweekly on the Recording Academy‘sofficial YouTube channel,Facebook page,Instagram page, andTwitter profile, Global Spin is the new home for global music on GRAMMY.com, the official website of The GRAMMYs and the Recording Academy. Each episode features a performance from a notable artist or group, celebrating both the creators and their home countries.
For their Global Spin appearance, KESperformed their latest track, “Jolene.” A blend of soca, afrobeats, calypso and island pop produced by British-Trinidadian producer Dwala, “Jolene” gives listeners a first taste of KES’ next full-length album, coming this Summer through California-based Ineffable Records.
“We’re always excited to carry our music to new spaces and places,” says KES frontman Kees Dieffenthaller, also known as KES. “As the first soca artists to be featured on Grammy.com, and the Global Spin series in particular, we’re thrilled to be able to introduce not only our music, but soca and the rich musical tradition of Trinidad & Tobago, to the Recording Academy, and the world at large.”
KES’ Global Spin appearance is particularly notable as it captures one of the band’s final performances with long-time keyboardist and musical director Ricardo Rameshwar, known as Ricky Bobby, who passed away tragically and suddenly on Feb. 1st.
One of Trinidad & Tobago’s most popular and celebrated acts, KES (aka Kes The Band) have consistently blazed new trails for soca, the genre created in the 1970s by the late Trinidadian music legend Lord Shorty (aka Ras Shorty I). The band — which, along with KES, consists of his brothers Jon (guitar) and Hans (drums) Dieffenthaller, and bassist Riad Boochoon (bass) — has brought soca to stages around the world, while collaborating with the likes of Snoop Dogg, Wizkid and Major Lazer, among others.
“The most innovative band coming out of Trinidad and Tobago, Kes is pushing the sonic limits of soca and calypso,” said Shawn Thwaites, Genre Manager, Global Music at the Recording Academy. “Their blend of soca, R&B, rock and soul are a musical callaloo of goodness.”
2021 saw KES make their U.S. television debut on Late Night with Steven Colbert, and return to the States for their first tour dates in over two years, culminating in their IzWe concert in New York City, which brought nearly 10,000 fans to Brooklyn’s Boardwalk Lot on Labor Day. The band also appeared, virtually, at Essence Fest 2021. Pulling that momentum into the new year, KES last month released the official music video for “Jolene.” The clip, gorgeously shot by Trinidadian film director Maya Cozier (She Paradise), has just been added to rotation at BET Soul.
According to Forbes, Rihanna’s net worth has taken a significant hit, dropping by 29% since 2024. The singer-turned-business mogul, who previously reached billionaire status with an estimated fortune of $1.4 billion, now holds an estimated $1 billion. Her fall in valuation was one of the most notable shifts in Forbes’ 2025 list of America’s Richest Self-Made Women, where she now ranks at No. 35.
The outlet notes that the decline is attributed largely to stalled growth across her business empire. Although the Fenty Beauty expanded into China last year, LVMH cited a “challenging environment” that has affected global sales.
Adding to the turbulence, the CEO of Rihanna’s lingerie brand, Savage X Fenty, stepped down in August 2024 to take over at Victoria’s Secret. The departure marked a leadership shakeup during a period when profits were already under pressure.
A companion article by Forbes explored broader structural issues impacting celebrity-run brands, especially in fashion and beauty, where evolving market trends and consumer fatigue have led to tighter margins—even for mega-celebrities like Rihanna.
NEW BRIDAL LINGERIE COLLECTION LAUNCHED
The 37-year-old superstar remains focused. Savage X Fenty launched a new Bridal Collection in April 2025, and Fenty Beauty brought back its cult-favorite Body Lava luminizers just in time for summer. The brand also introduced a mascara line and a Roblox-based digital experience to expand its reach.
Beyond business, Rihanna made headlines with a personal milestone: the announcement of her third pregnancy at the 2025 Met Gala. Appearing on the red carpet with longtime partner, the singer revealed her baby bump, engaging the world, particular across social media.
THE LOSS OF HER FATHER
Tragically, Rihanna has also faced personal loss this year. Her father, Ronald Fenty, passed away recently. While she has not commented publicly, sources close to the family say the two had maintained a complicated but evolving relationship in recent years.
Despite the financial setback and personal challenges, Barbados born Rihanna continues to shape her legacy—both as a cultural icon and an entrepreneur, navigating a shifting business landscape and keeping true fans engrossed in all that she becomes involved in.
Each time he hit the stage during his ‘Bring It’ tour, one of dancehall music’s most renowned artistes, made a very powerful statement. He protested what he felt in his heart and soul, was the continued injustice meted out to the real creators of the music listened to, and enjoyed around the world. Sean Paul is now speaking up, telling fans via social media why he chose to wear the T-shirts that he did.
On Tuesday, the ‘Gimme de Light’ singer explained that he feels the real creators of the music we all enjoy, often receive the least monetary benefit. He used the platform that he had at the time – the tour stage, to showcase his discontent with the continued injustice experienced by artistes.
“I wore t-shirts with some of my musical heroes on the front with a ‘likkle’ quote from that artist on the back,” he wrote on social media. “I feel we as the creators of the music get the least monetary benefit from it and this was just my small protest to the labels and streaming services who take so much of the pie, as well as to just big up the creators of music I revere, honoring the fight they have fought for our music throughout the years,” said Sean Paul.
Among the artistes showcased by Sean Paul were Jimmy Cliff, Ray Charles and Bob Marley.
Last year, during his appearance on the Drink Champs podcast, globally loved reggae and dancehall artiste, Buju Banton spoke out on the new music business model, lamenting that artistes receive “pennies on the dollar” for their music.
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A CLASS
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