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“Learn The Business behind the Music.” – Belmont Artiste to Entertainers.

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As the world turns, so do opportunities to deliver music to global audiences. This is the knowledge one entertainer has acquired over time, persistently and ambitiously honing his craft and building his arsenal of resources and knowledge. Kwesi Paul is the artiste known as Shottalinkz and while he’s yet to make a major breakthrough in the music business in Trinidad and Tobago, he has managed to successfully attain a VPAL music distribution deal and is focused on the lucrative possibilities that are available via music streaming. 

A father of two, the Cascade native who now resides in Belmont, is best known for his incredibly gifted touch on Trinidad and Tobago’s national instrument, the steelpan. “I am a musician. I play the steelpan and I’ve arranged for more than 17 steel orchestras in Trinidad and Tobago,” he revealed. He highlighted career highpoints, among them, working alongside the late St. Lucian Nobel Prize winner, Sir Derek Walcott. “I worked with Sir Walcott in 2005 on a play called, ‘Steel.’ I was the Musical Director for Desperados Steel Orchestra, which was a part of the play,” he said. Added to that, the father of two recalls working with Machel Montano and Sharlon Bailey- the son of the Mighty Shadow, among others. “Most recently, I worked with an artiste by the name of Tension. He is the brother of Kernal Roberts. I produced his first Soca track. 

Paul says he knows his ability to easily deliver on the steelpan, is his gift, something passed on from his father. In 2020, having been exposed to vocal production and benefitting from production training, he expanded his vision and built a home studio, where he would go on to produce music for artistes locally and internationally. It was during that time that he began his vocal journey, exposing himself to yet another area of music that called out to him.

At his very own KSP Studios in Belmont, Paul has successfully produced songs for artistes in Ghana, Canada, Germany and even France. In 2023, he released two Soca singles, ‘Mash Up De Party,’ and a collaboration with an artiste called, ‘Mad Dog Fresh,’- that track is entitled, ‘Mud, Oil and Powder.’ 

Paul says he is without management at this time, and understands the importance that this portfolio holds. “I am self- motivated and I’m inspired by my children, but I do understand the importance of a good manager. It is a difficult task to do it all on your own.” 

Certainly not an artiste who boxes himself into any one genre, Paul says he is capable of singing RnB, Hip Hop and Dancehall. He will however deliver two new Soca tracks for Carnival 2024. “I’ve released ‘Big and Serious’ – a Power Soca track produced by Level High Studios and I’ve written and produced a Groovy Soca track called, “What Ah Want.” He says these are the songs he will contribute to the carnival season. 

No matter how the wind blows, Paul says he believes knowledge on the business of music, is imperative to any artiste’s growth in the sector. “From the very beginning, my plan has always been to build an international audience. A lot of artistes like me suffer from a lack of support from the local radio stations. People do not get an opportunity to hear our music and absorb it. I’m focused more on the streaming services internationally to get my music heard, and I believe it will be beneficial to me.” 

He says that while he knows things happen differently for people, he knows music is his calling and he will do what is necessary to share his sound with the world. “You have to have information and some kind of insight about what the industry is about. When you find out and become knowledgeable on it, you understand how to operate in it,” he explained.  

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T&T’s Full Blown, Taps Into Dancehall on New Release, ‘No Stress.’

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Caribbean entertainment doesn’t sleep. Proof of that comes in the release of brand new music, this time courtesy the superstar duo of Full Blown – brothers, Kevon and Kory Hart. Their new track, “No Stress” has been released complete with a new music video and it’s a big look for the duo.

No Stress is a vibrant, feel-good anthem that continues the duo’s evolution from soca favourites into one of the Caribbean’s most versatile and globally resonant musical acts.

Known for their strong songwriting skills, undeniable chemistry and sonic fearlessness, brothers Kevon and Kory have steadily built a reputation for creating music that transcends borders, generations and genres. Over the years, Full Blown has become synonymous with high-energy Caribbean songwriting, penning and producing hits that have dominated Carnival seasons, regional charts and party playlists across the diaspora.

Now, with No Stress, the duo taps into dancehall nostalgia while pushing Caribbean fusion music into fresh territory. The track reimagines the iconic Shabba Ranks classic Ting A Ling, blending vintage dancehall energy with Full Blown’s contemporary Caribbean flavour. 

The release follows the brothers’ success with the track, The Greatest Bend Over (Take It Easy) alongside Yung Bredda, a crossover hit that amassed more than 40 million streams worldwide and was described by Billboard Magazine as “culture-quaking.”

“People know us for soca hits and high-energy music, but this record really reflects who we are creatively,” said Kevon. “We grew up influenced by so many sounds across the Caribbean. We are a happy, joyful, fun-loving people. We just want good vibes. No stress.” 

No Stress is now available on all major streaming platforms.

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Vybz Kartel To Headline Reggae Sumfest This Year, Alongside Mavado. New Album, ‘God & Time’ Set for June Release.

One of the most influential artists in dancehall history, Vybz Kartel, marks a defining new chapter with his forthcoming album God & Time, slated for release June 5th, 2026.

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In recent weeks, dancehall artiste, Vybz Kartel has been receiving some backlash online after sharing videos of himself wearing a bonnet while dancing in his underwear and a robe. The noise increased after he shared it a second time, almost taunting his detractors and making it clear that he is rich and does not care for the unsolicited comments of naysayers. Fast forward days later and like magic, the artiste’s pre-album release publicity stunt ushers in the release of his forthcoming album God & Time, set for a June 5th release. Kartel ain’t no fool.

The upcoming album is symbolic for the artiste who spent 13 years behind bars in Jamaica and was only released in 2024. It is being touted as his most personal and sonically expansive body of work since his release.  The album will span genres and features an all star lineup of artistes including, Puerto Rican superstar Farruko, Jamaica’s Skillibeng, and Shenseea, with more artistes to be included.

In a media release, it is highlighted that throughout God & Time, Vybz Kartel moves seamlessly between personal reflections, hard-hitting dancehall anthems, sensual records for the ladies, genre-bending crossover records, and rare moments of vulnerability. It adds that it is inspired by the Jamaican expression “God & Time”—rooted in faith, patience, and destiny—and reflects the artiste’s survival, rebirth, and creative freedom.

The title track evokes the same introspective tone as Kartel’s most streamed post-release hit “God Is The Greatest,” which has surpassed 30 million video views year-to-date.

Produced by longtime collaborator TJ Records alongside Kartel, the album reunites the creative team behind Viking (Vybz Is King) (2015) and King of the Dancehall (2016), which included the RIAA Gold-certified hit “Fever.” God & Time will be released via TJ Records / Vybz Kartel Muzik and distributed by Zojak World Wide.

In support of the new album, Vybz Kartel will headline Reggae Sumfest on July 18th, alongside Mavado, reuniting two dancehall icons whose rivalry defined the genre throughout the 2000s in a landmark moment for Jamaican music and culture.

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