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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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Music News

Sucre Is Taking Soca to the Youths. Big Plans Afoot for 2026.

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Unmistakably, he’s next in line to claim major space in the Soca music industry and he’s already got a title to his name. Sucre is Trinidad and Tobago’s Youth Soca Champion and as the year winds down, the Zig Boi Music Group artiste, is preparing for bigger outcomes in 2026. 

Sucre holds the Soca Champions junior title.

A new song released with varied formats for consumption across demographics set to be unleashed soon, the work is being done by both the artiste and his team, to ensure success. “Even before he entered the Ultimate Soca Champions competition, Sucre had been involved in a steady development program,” explained Zig Boi Music Group CEO, Mr. Spine. Years in the music industry in Trinidad and Tobago, across the region and internationally, has afforded the music producer a vantage point that has proven extremely helpful. 

Sucre, whose full name is Nkosi Sucre, has been under Spine’s guidance for the past two years and already, the partnership has proven successful. “The development programme with Sucre saw us expose him to events, take him into the studio and engage in networking, all while working on unreleased music, during the first year,” said Spine. He explained that in his second year with Zig Boi, Sucre enrolled with the band Traffic and was exposed to band life and the sonics in a band room environment. “Traffic is a legendary band, however the aim was to engage a younger audience and the decision was made to form the Evolution Band – a youth centred band that represents the younger demographic when it comes to music and entertainment.” 

CEO of Zig Boi Music, Mr. Spine.

Spine recalls that the announcement of the Soca Champions competition was unexpected, lamenting the fact that for many youths, there had been no outlet for stage development in the Soca industry in T&T, since the International Soca Monarch competition. “It was a great place to have him test his ability and he went on to win the competition,” Spine said proudly. Sucre has since performed in St Maarten, opening for the Morgan Heritage Family, and now as he refocuses ahead of 2026, the 24-year-old says his aim is to continue to show youths that they can do it too. “Ten years ago, I made the decision to do music. I was 14-years-old and I showed evidence of having a natural talent for music. I went on to study music and I got onto the merit list at CAPE,” he said, revealing that his desire to hone his craft saw him go on to acquire a Music degree from the University of the West Indies. 

The artiste, songwriter and producer has even been credited with a Road March win in Guyana, having worked with budding, female artiste, Omaiah Hall. “I see myself finding my sound in the medium to long term. I know I’m in my developmental stage and I’m a representation of the youth and the talent that youths have to offer. Eventually I want to provide a space for other young artistes and creatives. The aim is to create a community of people and have a new generation follow a new wave of Soca,” he declared. 

The new single, ‘Gimme Wuk Darlin,’ is the second instalment to a love story started by the artiste, in 2025. The first single was called, ‘Hold on Darlin,’ and speaks to all women. When it comes to the new sound of soca music, Sucre says he believes youths must find their voice. “Times will change, perspectives on life will change. It’s a matter of finding a safe space to express yourself and just be yourself.” 

Sucre - Gimme Wuk (Darlin’) | Official Visualizer | Soca 2026

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Caribbean Buzz

Grenada’s Sabrina Francis On Her Way to T&T. Artiste Feels A Vibe With Freetown Collective.

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Undeniably authentic and superbly talented, a sister of the Caribbean region, is set to island-hop between her homeland, Grenada and over to nearby, Trinidad and Tobago, for what she promises will be a musical experience to remember. 

Sabrina Francis sings a melodic fusion of Afro-Caribbean pop, but according to the young performer, the pop is hardly noticeable. In what will be her second visit to Trinidad on September 14th, Sabrina will share her mesmerizing energy with music lovers at Kafe Blue in Port -of- Spain, and as she explained, the show is part of the foundation being laid, for eventual sonic experiences that will ultimately knock the socks off true fans of music and melody. 

In Grenada, Francis hosts mountain side shows. “I have been focused on my show, ‘Meet Me at the Mango Tree,’ which is truly a different experience. There’s a shed with a tree in the middle of it and when guests arrive, I give them headphones. They walk a red carpet, sit, and I tell them a story using sounds and songs for one hour and thirty minutes,” she explained, adding, “It’s a very special and unique experience.” 

Her execution of events like Meet Me at the Mango Tree, Sunset Sessions and The Wide-Open concert in Grenada, are preparing her for major regionwide showcases. For now, however, Sabrina says she is wetting her feet, getting to know her neighbours better and introducing them to her sound and style. “This past year has been a year of live music. I would like the next year to be a year of collaboration. I want to meet with artistes and producers when I come to Trinidad, to chat and see what the possibilities are because I believe that collaboration in the creative space is just a really great thing for building relationships and creating something new and magical.”

Excited about the release of a brand new single, set for month’s end, Francis said she will deliver the song to her audience at Kafe Blue in Trinidad. “The song is called, ‘Don’t Waste My Time,’ and we recently wrapped the video for it,” she shared, highlighting that her goal for music, as an artiste in these times is simply to deliver sustainable artistry. “With the state of the music industry globally, my goal is to make my music sustainable, so that in 15 years, I could still host a concert and the followers that I’m engaging now will want to come out and enjoy the music for the nostalgia. I want to be an original name and eventually an international name, where possible. I will push for it and do what needs to be done,” said Francis. 

Humble and grounded, the artiste who is certainly growing in popularity outside of the Caribbean region as well, said she hopes to one day collaborate with T&T’s Freetown Collective. “I opened for them at a show I did in the UK. I also went to one of their tiny spaces concerts in Trinidad and it reminded me of my Sunset Sessions that I do in Grenada. I really think we’d be aligned musically.”

Freetown Collective

Though atypical when compared to the artistes on the traditional Caribbean music circuit, and even at home in Grenada, Sabrina Francis’ sound is pronounced and undeniably rich. “The support at home has been steady and warm. People really wish me well and I feel like I’m getting more and more recognized. People are meeting and greeting me at the supermarket so I always have to dress well when I’m leaving the house now,” she laughed. 

Fellow Grenadian artistes Mr. Killa, Dash, Terror de Governor and others have also thrown tremendous support behind her, over the years. “They’re always willing to come through for their girl and I appreciate that immensely,” she said. 

Tickets for her T&T showcase on September 14th, are available online at www.sabrinafrancis.com. She says tickets will also be available at the door and she anticipates seeing music lovers come out to experience an unforgettable show. “I’ll be sharing music and magic. I can’t wait to see everyone.”

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