Caribbean Buzz
Nadia Batson Deserves All She’s Got Says Promoter.
Soca sweetheart, Nadia Batson has emerged as one of the top entertainers this carnival. For that reason, the singer/songwriter was chosen as one of two headline acts for Randy Glasgow’s ‘Soca For Her’ event, which takes place in February. “Our role in this industry, isn’t all business. As a promoter, we engage talent and deliver opportunities for artistes like Nadia and so many others, to live out their dreams, showcasing their ability to the world,” said Glasgow.
Nadia Baston has been steadily climbing the ladder of success in the Caribbean. She consistently credits her team of architects, which includes manager and producer, Erikkson ‘Don Iko’ George and Avalon Gomez- a public relations and brand management maven, for her steady rise. Musically, Nadia has always been a gifted talent. Her songwriting prowess has seen her pen music for numerous artistes and certainly, herself. In 2021, as the Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc around the world, the ‘So Long’ singer and her team presented Carnival and Soca music enthusiasts with one of the most outstanding digital concert presentations seen. Recorded at the impressive 5 Islands Waterpark, Batson’s ‘Artform’ concert featured fellow entertainers, Lyrikal, Voice and Terri Lyons in a tightly produced Soca showcase, that would only increase her visibility and fan love.
Throughout 2022, Nadia Batson toured the United States and other territories, sharing her talent with audiences outside of her native Trinidad and Tobago. “What we saw was an artist who capitalized on what many had been yearning for internationally. Those who couldn’t come home because of the pandemic and those who yearned for the Greatest show on Earth, which had not been staged for two years, were catered to, in a very intentional way,” said Glasgow.
Batson will take the stage with SASS, at the Queen’s Park Savannah, on February 3rd. With hits like, ‘Soca Party,’ ‘Lift Up,’ ‘Endurance’ and others, Nadia is primed and ready to bring her brand of Soca sweetness to the capital city. “Nadia is a gem to our culture and we want to celebrate her. She deserves every bit of success she is having because she has put in the work,” said Glasgow, explaining that she will be joined by Patrice Roberts, backed by the A Team Band, as the show’s headline act.
Soca music, still a growing genre, Glasgow believes it takes a cohesion among all sectors of the business, to push the genre. “We are intent on showcasing our country’s Soca artistes in the most meaningful way. When tourists visit our country for Carnival, they must see and experience something that’s showcased at a standard of international appeal. They must leave here, raving about what they saw, heard and experienced,” he emphasized.
Caribbean Buzz
BASS, The First DJ Turned Soca Artiste Was Instrumental in Getting Soca Played on HOT97 NYC.
Soca music has come a long way. For decades, the sound of Trinidad and Tobago’s prized cultural expression has been touted as the sound of the Caribbean, and for many of the other islands, the music is becoming a major part of their individual tourism attraction. In 1996, Trinidad and Tobago DJ, Adrian Hackshaw, best known as Third Bass, became the first DJ to dive into soca artistry. His first song was called, ‘J’ouvert Morning.’ “That song inspired 3 Canal to do ‘Blue’ the following year and it created an avenue for more songs dedicated to J’ouvert,” he said in an exclusive Ebuzztt interview.
Twenty – nine years later, Bass continues to unleash new Soca music. His contributions for 2026 include, ‘Take Jam’ and ‘Not For The Swift.’ Despite what seems like a never ending fight for equity across the airwaves, Bass has a lot to be grateful for. “I always wanted to be a DJ, artiste and to be on radio so I live my dream everyday,” he said.
For many operating in the Soca industry today, the 90’s experience is not something they can relate to. It was during the early 90’s that Machel Montano – now the King of Soca, would deliver songs like ‘Big Truck’ and ‘Big Phat Fish.’ Bass was around then and operated in a space that was growing. “In 1998, I put Edghill Thomas, now known as MX Prime on his first soca track with me. Back then he was known as Magga Dan and he was big on the dancehall circuit locally,” he highlighted. The song was called, “All Ah Dat in It.”
That year, Bass was introduced to Destra Garcia. She was a young, female singer who was singing RnB and Gospel music. “Her producer, Ken Holder, was working on what would be the first Soca riddim, coined the Pigtail Riddim, because of how ‘phat’ it sounded. I wrote the first song for Destra and I, which was called, ‘Just A Friend.’ That was 1999.”
The journey to where Soca music is today, isn’t a linear situation. It wasn’t built on the back of one person or one team. Bass, like many other creatives, has positively impacted the industry for many years, even while others have been celebrated loudly, and his humility has kept him largely unnoticed. “I spent some time in New York, where I was responsible for new soca getting played on Hot97. I met Bobby Konders and Massive B Sounds in 2001. They had a big reggae and Caribbean show that was reaching the entire TriState area. I asked them why they were still playing songs from the 90s,” said the entertainer. He said he was told that the major Soca distribution company, JW Records, had indicated that they would have to pay for the new Soca music. “Mind you, these guys got promos from all the big record labels back then. When I heard what was happening, I immediately went to JW Records on Church Avenue in Brooklyn, and I spoke with them. I explained to them what this opportunity could do for the music and I was able to take records to Bobby Konders and Jabba to play on Hot97FM,” said Bass. He highlighted that among the songs, were tracks like ‘Water Flowing’ from Machel Montano’s album ‘Here Comes The Band,’ and Iwer George’s ‘Carnival Come Back Again. “I was also asked to play the music since I was more familiar with it at that time.”
Soca music’s current global standing as a relatively new genre, has been one of tremendous grit and effort by many individuals – some seen and others behind the scenes. Many have remained committed to its development as a Trinbagonian creation, because it forms part of the cultural identity of Trinidad and Tobago’s people. Now, as more regional artistes tap into the market, opportunities for global appeal are certainly opening up, but it must never be forgotten that Soca music’s growth to where it stands today, was only made possible thanks to the dedication of people like Adrian Hackshaw who loved it from the heart and refused to see it sidelined.
NEW MUSIC
Caribbean Buzz
Terri Lyons Makes History with Fourth Consecutive Queen of Queens Title.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Calypso Queen Terri Lyons has once again cemented her place in Caribbean music history after winning the Queen of Queens Competition at Montserrat for the fourth consecutive year.
The highly anticipated event took place on Tuesday, December 30th, where Lyons delivered a commanding performance that set her apart from a strong regional field of competitors. Her victory further solidifies her reputation as one of the most dominant and consistent female voices in modern calypso.
Terri Lyons, the daughter of legendary Soca King Austin “Superblue” Lyons, has been making a tremendous impact on the calypso scene for years, earning respect for her lyrical strength, stage presence, and commitment to the art form. Many have noted that while she proudly carries her father’s legacy, she has firmly established her own powerful identity in the genre.
At Tuesday’s competition, Lyons topped the lineup, with Antigua and Barbuda’s Ge’eve Phillip securing second place, and Trinidad and Tobago’s Roslyn Reid-Hayes finishing in third.
Fans and fellow artistes have since taken to social media to praise Lyons’ continued excellence, with many calling her reign “unmatched” and “well deserved.” Her latest win not only highlights her individual talent but also underscores the strength of Caribbean calypso on a regional stage.
With four consecutive Queen of Queens titles now under her belt, Terri Lyons continues to raise the bar, proving that her crown is not just inherited, but undeniably earned.
