Last weekend’s Miami Carnival sounded the alarm for the release of brand-new Soca anthems as all eyes look toward Trinidad and Tobago carnival 2025. Zig Boi Music producer, Mr. Spine is as ready as he’s ever been, jumping back into artiste mode with the release of the Radio Active riddim. “There’s never been a better time,” he says, explaining that he’s about to lead the new generation of artistes from the front, showing them the necessary methods of executing to deliver a wholesome music and performance product.
A music producer, sound engineer, DJ and business owner, Mr. Spine is by no means new to the music business. In fact, he was instrumental over the past decade and more, for the music delivered by many artistes, including Orlando Octave, Kerry John, Grenada’s Mr. Killa and others. Across the region, respect has been earned – the entertainment professional having worked with artistes like Shabba Ranks, Beenie Man and Konshens among others. Now, as Carnival 2025 looms, Mr. Spine has set his intent and has pulled together a few artistes, as he unleashes the Radio Active Riddim.
“My single on the riddim is called, ‘BBL,’ and it’s dedicated to the ladies who love themselves no matter face, size or figure. It’s a song that’s designed for fun and we’re about to have a lot of fun with this one,” he laughed. The other artistes on the riddim are Yankey Boy and Cedonia who’ve collaborated on their track, Leonce, Kerry John and Rayzor. “I believe riddims are good for two reasons,” said Spine. “I see the value in riddims for the collaborative marketing of a project – something that lessens the financial strain on artistes – especially new artistes. Separately, as a producer, riddims help you to quickly build your catalogue,” he said.
Over the past 15 years, Mr. Spine chose to remain in the background, serving artistes with both his production and songwriting skills. “I’m currently working on my music label and it will be a multi-dimensional, multi-service approach to artiste development in T&T and the Caribbean. I felt there was only one way to truly show young, upcoming artistes how the music industry should be approached – from blueprint to completion on a project,” he explained.
‘BBL’ was written by Mr. Spine but co-produced by Tal and Sucre. “We must endorse the youths in the music industry; they are the future,” he emphasized. His vocality on the importance of empowering young Caribbean artistes, is nothing new. He has championed the importance of artiste development for up-and-coming entertainers, for many years, via various platforms. Now, with an unbeatable spirit of action and promise, Mr. Spine is standing up front, ready to lead his troops into the new age of Carnival stage show and sound.
For more on Mr. Spine, check out ZigBoi on all social media platforms and via www.zigboi.com.
He’s hardly ever among the artistes on the Carnival circuit to get the attention of mass audiences, but he is certainly, for a third time, being considered for a Grammy nomination. The 67th Grammy Awards takes place on Sunday, February 2nd, 2025 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The nominations for the awards will however be announced this coming Friday, November 8th. Trinidad and Tobago radio personality and artiste, RKG is among the artistes being considered for Grammy nomination for his album, Fully Digital. Once again, for this music lover, consideration by the Grammy nomination committee is a career highlight.
In previous years, RKG has been considered by the GRAMMYs and while his name has not made it to the final nomination list just yet, he says he is happy that his music’s quality has gotten him this far. “Your music must be of a particular standard to pass the submission process. There are certified voters – producers, songwriters and others, who will listen to the music’s standard and quality,” he shared, adding that he is of the firm belief that his third-time consideration is based on his music’s quality. “The first time I was given consideration was with the album, Caribbean Born. The second time around I was considered alongside Kes The Band in the category of Global Music Performance and now, the third time around, I’m being considered in the category of Best Reggae Album.
RKG’s latest album, ‘Fully Digital’ boasts 14 tracks. He told Ebuzztt that he spent two days alongside producer, NyceNation, steadily working to deliver on the project. Now, reflecting on the journey to this point, he stands proud and happy, recalling that those two days of dedication in an area considered a crime hotspot, was a necessary part of the end product. On his style and delivery, RKG tells us that his aim has never been to sound like every other artiste, or to be boxed in to any one genre of music. “Me setting myself apart equates to me sometimes sacrificing my career. That may be a strong statement to make, but what I mean is God has given me a talent that I can be musically versatile with, something that not many people are capable of doing. I try to separate myself musically, because I think being unique is what’s needed,” he said.
Admittedly influenced heavily by the likes of dancehall artistes, Spragga Benz, Bounty Killer, General Degree and T&T’s Bunji Garlin, RKG says now he has found his own style and is comfortable delivering songs that blend genres and offer a difference to global music lovers. “My greatest desire when it comes to my music is to hear my songs in movies, on Netflix and other major platforms. God is the boss and God is in charge of time. Music is something that can live on and I want to create music that lives on through the people, through generations. I want to give the people music that can talk to them, heal them, strengthen them; I want my music to transcend beyond the norm of any festival, any party,” he said, adding that good music connects to the soul of the listener.
The globe at the fingertips of musicians and creators, RKG is unfazed by those who question his music at home in the Caribbean. He however encourages everyone to take a listen to ‘Fully Digital’ with the understanding that his target audience is a global one and his sound, is as unique as the people of varied nationalities, races and ethnicities worldwide. “This album’s music is timeless; the songs are not dated and these songs can be played for years to come,” he shared, telling us that during the voting process he received a very encouraging email from one of the panel’s voters who credited him with what they said was a a very good body of work in ‘Fully Digital.’
Following his sold-out headlining tour across Europe, GRAMMY® nominated, multi-platinum artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Skip Marley returns with his latest smash single “Close.” The track comes with a visuals, directed by Gabriella Kingsley and made its broadcast premiere on BET Soul and the Paramount Times Square billboards.
Produced by Rykeyz (Jessie Reyez, Demi Lovato, Wiz Khalifa), the Marley descendent sounds as natural as ever while putting his own spin on the original hook from Maxi Priest’s dance-floor classic “Close To You,.” Skip’s effortless vocals amplify his versatility, showing his ability to transcend genres and generations with great songwriting and overall musicianship.“It’s modern, but it pays homage to Maxi Priest. I loved the idea of bringing this great song to the new generation,” said Skip, adding, “For me, there’s a bigger meaning too. The song hints that I’m back and about to begin another chapter.”
Skip Marley heeds a higher calling. Hailing from Kingston, Jamaica, he creates with clear intention. His sonic alchemy of reggae, R&B, pop, and hip-hop mirrors a core mission to unify people of all kinds at all times. Having kicked off his career in 2015, the artistes joined forces with international superstar, Katy Perry on the double-platinum smash “Chained To The Rhythm,” then took flight on 2020’s Higher Place, which garnered a GRAMMY® Award nomination in the category of “Best Reggae Album.,” His gold-certified single “Slow Down” [with H.E.R.] alsoreceived a nod for “Best R&B Song.” Skip made history with the latter by emerging as “the first Jamaican-born artist to vault to #1 on the Billboard Adult R&B Chart.” It soared as “the quickest and biggest-streaming song in Marley family history.”
In addition to earning nominations at the Soul Train Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and iHeart Music Awards, he has cemented himself as a dynamic force who is equally at home on a track with Rick Ross, Ari Lennox, and Seeb as he is with Damian Marley, Major Lazer, and Ayra Starr. Beyond packing houses on tour, he shined with television performances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Late Show with James Corden, and on both Good Morning America and TODAYalongside Kacey Musgraves. In 2024, he notably contributed a powerful cover of “Exodus” to Bob Marley: One Love (Music Inspired by the Film)—which accompanied the blockbuster Bob Marley biopic One Love. Now, he kicks off his next chapter with the single “Close,” and plans to tease more music and live shows soon.
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