Caribbean Buzz
More Consciousness On the Way. Redemption Answers T&T’s Top Cop’s Call.
More consciousness. This is the response by organizers of the upcoming Redemption concert being hosted in Trinidad, following a strong and honest statement made by the country’s new Top Cop about T&T’s crime situation.
Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher called on the population to pray for spiritual intervention in the fight against crime, as she addressed members of the Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce on March 14th. On the heels of that call, organizers of Redemption the Concert have added more consciousness, revealing that reggae artiste, Anthony B has been added to their show’s lineup.
Cognizant of the fact that each entity and individual has a role and responsibility in the country’s social landscape, a Tropix Entertainment spokesperson said the team is happy to be delivering a positive option in the face of ongoing criminal upheaval and anxiety in the country.
“An evil has spread over the land and we must recognize – those of you who are spiritually inclined, you must recognize that this is beyond the physical and unless we seek the intervention of that greater spirit, whatever we may call him – we know we have different religions, so who will call him God, who will call him Allah, or Krishna, all of us, if not all of us, 99 per cent of us believe in a superior being and we need to invoke the help of that being if we need to really bring Trinidad and Tobago back to that place where we want it to be,”Harewood-Christopher had stated.
Anthony B, a prominent voice on Jamaica’s reggae circuit, has maintained a conscious spirit for over three decades in the public domain. As a member of the Rastafari movement, the Trelawny native came from a deeply religious family and in youth, was influenced by the music of artistes like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. His revolutionary stance has heard him deliver songs pertinent to political and social injustices. From the very beginning of his career, Anthony B chose to go against what was trending at the time – sexually charged lyrics, and instead provided musical accompaniment to the people on the ground who needed a voice.
“We are happy to announce the booking of Anthony B for Redemption on May 6th. He is a positive musical force that we know, will make people think on show night,” said a member of the Redemption camp.
The utterance of the country’s police commissioner has been met by deep dialogue on social media and offline. Many are in agreement; however, others have called for a proper crime plan. The team at Tropix Entertainment say they understand that an all-hands-on board approach is required to deal with this social epidemic. “Sometimes we must look at ourselves. We must ask, ‘what can I do to help alleviate this problem?’” With that in mind, organizers of Redemption are pushing full steam ahead to bring to the people of Trinidad and Tobago, a full-scale conscious experience that they anticipate, will wake up those who are asleep, those who are troubled, those who are uncertain, and draw them all closer to a Higher Power of consciousness and positivity.
The show will feature the incomparable, Buju Banton, Love Rockers master, Beres Hammond and the enlightened and powerful, Luciano.
Caribbean Buzz
Skinny Banton Sets the Tone with ‘Liquor’ ; Reminds Real Revelers of Vibes in Store.
As Carnival 2025 in Trinidad and Tobago looms, one of the Caribbean’s most unique and intriguing male artistes, Skinny Banton, is gearing up to make his mark in a big way. With his latest release, Liquor, already causing waves, the Grenadian-born artist is proving he’s here to stay, bringing his personal style, and down- home Caribbean spirit to a global audience.
It’s been five years since his unforgettable hit, Wrong Again, took the world by storm and the track remains a fan favorite to this day. Its infectious energy and authentic vibe solidified Skinny as an artiste to watch, and since then, his music has resonated with listeners across the region and internationally. His ability to blend catchy rhythms with meaningful lyrics has made him a staple in Caribbean music, while his sound remains a perfect blend of traditional influences and contemporary flair.
The Jab culture of Grenada has always been a source of inspiration for the Carriacou native. But it’s not just one island or one genre that defines him. Skinny draws from the wider Caribbean experience, creating music that speaks to all the islands, enticing the international crowd along the way. As he explains, his music isn’t confined to one place or one story; It’s about sharing the universal joy of the Caribbean with the world.
“Music is for everyone,” says Skinny. “It’s not about where you’re from. It’s about connecting people from different walks of life through rhythm, melody, and energy. When people come to Carnival, they’re looking for an experience that will stay with them forever, and I want to be a part of that.”
Ahead of Trinidad and Tobago’s 2025 Carnival, Liquor is quickly becoming one of those intrinsic songs. With its irresistible beat and carefree lyrics, the song is a celebration of the Caribbean spirit — the good times, the laughter, and yes, the drinks that fuel the party. “This is a song for the drinkers, the ones who bring the vibes to the Carnival with every sip they take,” Skinny laughs. “But remember — everything in moderation! You don’t want to be the one ruining the vibes for everyone else.”
Last year, Carriacou, the artiste’s home island, was devastated by Hurricane Beryl. Amid that unfortunate circumstance, he stood up with a sense of determination to draw awareness to the plight of those left to clean up and get their lives back to normal. His popularity as an entertainer, aided somewhat in that effort as he was able to assist with food and necessities for those affected. Through his artistry, Skinny continues to shine a spotlight on his roots, celebrating the vibrant culture and resilience of his community.
In Trinidad recently, he reconnected with fans of his music, sharing the new songs ahead of the 2025 Carnival season. “Music is the universal language,” he said. “It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what language you speak. What matters is that it makes you feel something — and that’s what I try to give. The people know good music. They need music to lift their spirits, make them move, and sing along,” he explained, adding, “That’s what I strive to provide — music that resonates, that connects, music that brings people together.”
To stay connected with Skinny Banton and get the latest on his upcoming music and Carnival appearances, follow him on Instagram and Facebook @skinnybanton.
Caribbean Buzz
Scorch 101 Soca Hit List Sends Soca Lovers Crazy.
Soca music lovers from all around the world tuned in to Trinidad and Tobago radio station Scorch 101 FM on Friday as the station delivered what can only be described as a deep dive into the music genre. With 101 days to go to Carnival 2025 the team at Scorch Radio pushed out a plan to ensure listeners from around the world tuned in, and that they did.
The Internet could not get enough of the music that is so often attached only to the carnival culture. A list of what the Scorch team considers 101 of the top Soca tracks based on criteria such as danceability, cultural impact, lyrical content, music production, and versatility brought out Soca enthusiasts from every nook and cranny across the Internet. In one day, Scorch radio penetrated the Diaspora and brought people together, though via the Internet, to banter heartily over whether the choices were or were not valid.
Judges on the panel included DJ Adam, Travis World, and DJ Private Ryan among others. Scorch Radio CEO Kwesi ‘Hoppy’Hopkinson steered the event, giving his views throughout the day on the music that would be shared with listeners worldwide. In the end, the most impactful Soca single would be Machel Montano and Destra Garcia’s ‘It’s Carnival.’ Delivered in 2003, the collaboration between these two accomplished Soca artistes maintain a powerful presence at carnival fetes held around the world, annually. The song however, did not capture that year’s Road March in Trinidad and Tobago. That year, Fay Ann Lyons stole the show with ‘Display,’ a song that did not make it to the Scorch Radio 101 Soca Hit List. The multiple title holder’s ‘Meet SuperBlue’ was positioned at #90 on the Scorch 101 Soca Hit List.
The single-day Soca showcase perplexed some who questioned the rationale behind the choices and the placement on the list. Kevin Little’s globally known, ‘Turn Me On,’ made it to #2 while Rupee’s “Jump” was given the third spot on the list. The 2010 Road March “Palance,”made the list at #4.
Whether agreed upon in its entirety or not, the Scorch Radio team created an effective campaign that ignited the energy of Soca music lovers globally.
