Ebuzz News
Archived: LNO Spotlight Stealer? Octave Of Course. Wait. What Did Fay Ann Do?
Ladies Night Out was a great show. It offered the elements of a truly entertaining event and while it cannot be categorized as a fete, the masses had many opportunities to ‘bruk out’.
He looked damn good for one thing but beyond that, when one of the youngest entertainers in the soca game, Orlando Octave, took the stage at Friday night’s Ladies Night Out event in Trinidad, he was armed with a message. They really say, big things come in small packages. Octave has been having a tremendous Carnival 2017 season and with a grand opportunity presented to let his voice be heard, he rose to the challenge.
Orlando Octave used his performance to speak out on the state of affairs in Trinidad and Tobago.
Amid a crime wave in Trinidad and Tobago that has left much to be desired, the young Mayan, as he often coins himself, added a unique verse to his hit soca anthem, “Single”, calling for women to be protected by the men of the country. He highlighted the recent murders, specifically that of women and lifted his voice in condemnation of these senseless acts of violence. Octave joins a chorus of vocal outcries by many T&T entertainers, among them Bunji Garlin, Machel Montano and D Loxx, MX Prime and the Ultimate Rejects and even rising US based female entertainer, Leonce, who’ve been advocating for the violent behavior in Trinidad and Tobago to cease.
Orlando Octave was mesmerizing, to say the least, on Friday night. He’d come to cause a stir and that he did. After exiting the stage once, he was called back for an encore and when he returned, he came armed with more music than most would’ve expected. He showed his vocal range and aptitude to fulfill the musical needs of even the elders in the crowd, in the end jokingly toying with them with words that insinuated that they didn’t know he had that kind of depth in him.
Fay Ann Lyons showed the essence of being a Trini soca star last night.
Separately on show night at LNO, artistes like Jadel, Tobago’s Adanna, Voice, Shal Marshall and Devon Matthews took the opportunity to show their ability. Jadel, while certainly offering her catchy songs and clear vocals, seemed to have had a hard time connecting with the crowd. Voice was certainly the opposite. His 2017 hit, ‘Far From Finished’ gave the audience much to sing along to, and immediately reminded us at EBUZZTT why he was the victor at the 2016 International Soca Monarch competition. Fay Ann Lyons and her husband, Bunji Garlin were indeed a fun duo on stage, enhancing their act by engaging the crowd by way of common rhetoric and claims that one side of the audience had more vibes, was more beautiful, had more money, than the other. In the end, Lyons-Alvarez would once again prove that she is a lioness when she hits any stage and is capable of tearing down any show, with sheer vibrance and energy. The outsiders were not to be sidelined at LNO. In fact, Marvay proved a truly likable entertainer. Peter Ram was also in the mix, drawing the audience to him with the infectious, “Good morning” tune that all of the Caribbean continues to enjoy. Skinny Fabulous was also at LNO. He was introduced during Machel Montano’s set and was certainly embraced by the crowd. Rupee definitely shone on stage on Friday night. The ladies have been loving him across the length and breadth of T&T and at Ladies Night Out, the reception was no different.
Patrice Roberts, Nadia Batson and Terri Lyons strike a pose at LNO 2017.
Terri Lyons, Nadia Batson, Patrice Roberts, Ms. Alysha, MX Prime and the Ultimate Rejects, Linky First, Ricardo Drue and of course, Machel Montano all added their unique style to the Ladies affair and by 2:00am, the audience had certainly had their fill. The night could be adjudicated a success by all accounts, most patrons leaving with an appreciation for a show that even saw a female patron walk away $50,000 richer thanks to a best dressed competition. The season is now at it’s peak. What’s next? Well, that’s totally up to you. Tell us, where can we find you this weekend?
Music News
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.
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.
Ebuzz News
Denise Belfon Thanks Drake’s ‘OVO’ Team for Inclusion of Her ‘Work’ on New Track.
Canadian rapper, Drake is once again teaming up with Caribbean entertainers, delivering a brand new album called, ‘Maid of Honor,’ which is now available on all streaming platforms. It was one of three albums the artiste simultaneously dropped on May 15th – the other two being ICEMAN and HABIBTI.
One of the singles on ‘Maid of Honor,’ called ‘BBW’ features the work of Trinidad and Tobago entertainer, Denise ‘Saucy Wow’ Belfon – her 1998 track, ‘Work.’
The lyrics, ‘Put Yuh Back in It’ became a trending expression on TikTok in 2020 when it became a challenge on the popular platform. That viral opportunity six years ago, led to the song’s resurgence and Belfon’s name being called by younger generations whose parents, aunts and uncles would’ve more than likely grown up on her music and performances in the Caribbean. Fast forward to 2026, and Belfon is once again enjoying a viral moment as news broke that her song had been sampled by Drake. “Everything is legitimate and I want to thank the team – Fabian Alfonso, a copyright specialist out of Trinidad and Tobago ; He was very instrumental in making this deal become reality, said Belfon in a chat with Ebuzztt, before expressing gratitude to several other instrumental people, and Drake’s OVO team.
In 2022, dancehall artiste, Shenseea and rapper, Megan Thee Stallion also sampled ‘Work’ on the single, ‘Lick.’ Belfon, who lives in New York, had, at that time, attended a release party at a nightclub in New York, where Shenseea acknowledged the Soca artiste’s influence on the new release.
The Maid of Honor album delivers 14 singles and added to T&T’s Denise Belfon, Jamaican artiste, Popcaan is also featured on a single called, ‘Amazing Shape.’
Denise Belfon’s personality and charisma has, for a very long time, made her a fan favorite in the Caribbean. A vocal powerhouse and unique stage performer, she has stood the test of time in the Soca music industry, having created massive soca anthems like ‘Work,’ ‘Wine and Bend Over’ and ‘Wining Queen’ among countless other flavorful singles.