Caribbean Buzz
Archived: Kittian Soca Monarch Champ, Makes Carnival Comparison
‘Once you find something you love and you’re passionate about, the sky’s the limit!’
So says Bjorn Bassue, the two time soca monarch champ of St. Kitts and Nevis. In an interview with Ebuzztt, Bassue, whose stage name is Mr. Hype, said he’s passionate about music generally, but more specifically, he is head over heels in love with soca music.
Mr. Hype says he admires the work of Bunji Garlin and his wife, Fay-Ann Lyons.
Mr. Hype grew up singing in church and did not enter the soca music arena until 2013. His first venture yielded remarkable results, as his rendition of ‘Wuk it’ won him the victors crown. He placed 4th in 2014 and although he was a bit disappointed, he shook it off, determined to reclaim his crown. And that he did!
His high energy performance of ‘Bite’, moved the crowd and wowed the judges, earning him the soca monarch title in 2015, the second time in three years. The Kittian credits his success in part to his work ethic, his love of the artform and the support of his team. He says he hopes to make a name for himself outside of his native St Kitts and Nevis and plans to bring his music to the international soca monarch held in Trinidad annually.
He practically bubbled with excitement as he spoke of the possibility of one day working with Viking, Bunji Garlin and his wife. Fay-Ann Lyons, telling us that he loves the originality of their lyrics and is deeply inspired by their success. On the possibility of working with others in the business, he pinpointed Kerwin DuBois as someone that he would be honored to work with.
Mr. Hype loves soca music.
In 2016, Mr. Hype attended the International Soca Monarch finals in Trinidad, for the very first time. He experienced the thrill of young monarch, Voice’s performance of his hit single, “Cheers to Life.” He said he was very impressed and wasn’t at all surprised when the young Trinbagonian artiste became this year’s Soca Monarch champ, but he admitted that he found it admirable that Voice, a little known artist could enter the foray and triumph over big names like Blaxx, Farmer Nappy and even Patrice Roberts.
Comparing the Carnivals of both islands, Mr. Hype said in St. Kitts, live bands are still used on the streets during the masquerade. He believes the live band element affords the artistes a bit more creative control over the music shared with revelers, further highlighting that it also offers more authenticity when it comes to the sound and feel of the carnival vibe.
The reigning monarch says his team continues to work feverishly to ensure that he is fully prepared for the 2016 carnival in December. He anticipates winning the crown for a third time and is looking forward to sharing the stage with soca greats from T&T, in the years ahead.
EBUZZTT CONTRIBUTOR: Dionne Baptiste
Caribbean Buzz
Destra Delivers Powerfully at Reflections.
“If this sharing that I’m doing touches anyone, I’m truly grateful. None of us are perfect. Some days you’ll feel good, some days you won’t, but it’s all part of the journey. Sometimes what you’re looking for is right on the horizon, and the moment you give up, you miss it. If my testimony makes anyone feel something, then my work here is done.” – DESTRA GARCIA
Trinidad and Tobago received a musical showcase of spiritual awakening yet again this past Saturday, at Destra’s ‘Reflections: Sound. Spirit. Surrender.” The event took place at Queen’s Hall, St. Ann’s and proved to be a truly inspiring and uplifting musical experience.
From the onset, the show set a standard that fans of good music with powerful lyrics, would rave about for weeks. David Rudder – a cultural icon of Calypso music out of Trinidad and Tobago, welcomed the audience as he hit the stage first delivering the very fitting, ‘High Mas.’ It was a powerful blessing no doubt – something that would lead into a seamless spiritual production. He was subsequently joined on stage by Destra, something that created a full-circle moment that drew immediate emotion from the audience.
Known for her unmistakeable vocal ability, Destra took her audience on a carefully curated musical journey, opening her set with Free Again before transitioning into slowed-down, soul-stirring renditions of some of her most beloved songs, including Love Somebody and Fly and with each performance, she revealed a different layer of her artistry, offering vulnerability, reflection, and strength.
One of the night’s most touching highlights came as Garcia shared the stage with her daughter, Xaiya, for a heartfelt duet of The Prayer. Beginning at the piano, Xaiya gently set the tone before joining her mother in song, creating an intimate moment that resonated deeply with the audience.
The production, which was creatively directed by Zara Bartels and Isoke Edwards, also showcased the incredible talent of father and son pan duo Martin and De’jean Cain as well as the Maria Regina Grade School and St. Joseph’s Convent Port- of- Spain choirs, whose vibrant and polished performances brought a refreshing, youthful energy to the stage. Gospel artiste, Nisa joined Garcia for a powerful duet of Bridge Over Troubled Water. She also performed her original composition Make Me Over, adding another layer of spiritual depth to the evening.
As the show built toward its finale, Garcia delivered a commanding rendition of Ella Andall’s Bring Down the Power, followed by classic hymns including A Little More Oil in My Lamp. This climactic segment was elevated by the presence of traditional belle dancers and African drummers, creating a rich, cultural fusion that brought the audience to its feet. Beyond the performances, the overall production, brought to life through Bridgette Wilson’s choreography and Atiba Borde’s costuming, stood out for its seamless execution, immersive ambience, and thoughtful storytelling, reinforcing Reflections as more than just a concert, but a transformative experience.
Reflections certainly delivered a powerful blend of music, filled with deep messages and meaning. In what is a very spiritual season, Destra, through the delivery of ‘Reflections,’ has carved out a space for inspiration and connection within Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural landscape – something that many would agree, is a necessity more than an option.
Caribbean Buzz
Belize’s Shyne, Talks Culture and Governance at Island Music Conference. Challenges Caribbean Leaders.
Belizean political leader and notable Hip Hop figure , The Honourable, Dr. Moses “Shyne” Barrow has identified Jamaica as a regional blueprint for how culture and governance can work together to build sustainable industry.
Delivering a keynote address entitled, ‘From Stage to State’ at the Island Music Conference (IMC) in Kingston, Jamaica last week, Barrow urged Caribbean governments to move beyond symbolic support of the arts and toward structured public–private partnerships.
“These conferences are so very important,” he told delegates, describing information exchange as critical in an evolving global music economy. Responding to a question from Overtime Media about cultural influence as an economic engine, Barrow pointed to Jamaica’s global footprint. “The work of great musicians such as Bob Marley and Shabba Ranks, as well as the development of Reggae and Dancehall music, has done more for the Jamaican tourism product than anything else,” he said.
PHOTO: Overtime Media.
According to Barrow, Jamaica exemplifies how successive political administrations, despite partisan rivalry, maintained consistent implementation policies that enabled private-sector investment in the music industry. “They were fighting each other, but giving the same implementation,” he noted, crediting that alignment for helping Jamaican music achieve unmatched global recognition.“There is no one in the world who does not know about Jamaica — its music, its food and its culture,” he noted.
Barrow framed his own political evolution as rooted in Hip Hop’s entrepreneurial DNA. Calling his transition from performer to legislator “quintessential Hip-Hop,” he cited moguls who expanded beyond music into business and influence, arguing that creative thinkers belong in positions of power. “We belong in parliament. We belong in the cabinet. We belong in the Prime Minister’s office and in the President’s office,” he said. He also addressed emerging challenges facing the creative sector, particularly artificial intelligence and intellectual property protection.“We need to protect our rights. We need to protect our work and that can only be legislated,” Barrow warned. “If we don’t get involved in the legislative process, we’re going to wake up one day and find that our rights are gone.”
Calling the human mind “the greatest thing on planet Earth,” he cautioned against over-reliance on technology, stressing that creatives must remain central to innovation. Reflecting candidly on his past, including a decade of incarceration following a 1999 nightclub shooting, Barrow described his return to Belize as a shift toward service. “By then, my dreams had already come true,” he said. “But when I looked around my country, I saw people still struggling. So I chose a life of service.”
Barrow also revealed plans to return to the stage with a world tour marking the 25th anniversary of his debut album, while reaffirming his commitment to public service. Closing his address, he challenged Caribbean leaders to diversify the profiles of those shaping legislation.“The Caribbean’s creative class has already shaped global culture,” he said. “Now we must shape policy.”
– NIGEL TELESFORD / Overtime Media.
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