He may be a well loved actor by Caribbean people around the world but today, Trinidad and Tobago’s people are kicking up against the launch of a rum by ‘Creed’ and ‘Black Panther’ actor, Michael B Jordan. He has coined the new liquor, ‘J’ouvert Rum!’

No… Trinbagonians are not happy at all.

Overnight, as the actor and his team launched the rum, voices began to erupt in utter shock and disgust for what some referred to as the blatant ‘theft’ of a Trinbagonian term that, while not trademarked, is well known worldwide as a creative piece of terminology for the Carnival festival’s pre-dawn, dirty Mas tradition.

Distinguishably packaged to include a small bottle of Trinidad and Tobago’s Angostura bitters, the launch night token for guests, which was set in a wooden box, held in its engraving, the true essence of the new Rum’s origin. “Derived from the Antillean Creole French term meaning Daybreak, J’ouvert originated in the pre-dawn streets of Trinidad as celebrations of Emancipation combined with Carnival season to serve as the festival’s informal commencement. Crafted on those same islands, J’ouvert Rum is a tribute to the party start,” it reads.

Frantically, some took to social media calling on Trinidad and Tobago’s government to intervene. Radio personality, Abeo Jackson emotionally wrote, “Trinis we eh fed up of ppl seeing the value of we ting more than we? So much so that many attempts at theft/columbusing/appropriation/neocolonial capitalism happens continuously under our noses. How we protecting and gate keeping? Sometimes we need to effect same for our “own” who would sell “us” upriver for a buck.”

The popular US actor was surrounded by friends and international influencers on Saturday night as he launched the J’ouvert rum, all of whom celebrated his entrepreneurial move.

Beauty and lifestyle “guru,” Khat Brim wrote, “There was no better way to celebrate #Juneteenth than with friends and fam witnessing the launch of a new black owned business✊🏿💯 I’m so proud of my brah brah @michaelbjordan as he continues to raise the bar high! I know for sure he’s making our ancestors proud with every great achievement🙌🏾 Therefore, I salute him & his entire team on the release of @jouvertrum 🥃🚀 #letsgo #blackboyjoy.”

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While the Caribbean continues to feel the effects of COVID-19, many islands maintaining public restrictions, a popular Jamaican producer has expressed his personal experience having contracted the virus in October 2020.

A major force in the dancehall industry, Tarik Johnston, who’s best known as Rvssian, told fans on Twitter that he hasn’t gotten back his sense of smell since contracting COVID-19 back in October.

He is quite possibly one of the first Caribbean music influencers to openly state that the virus has affected his health. “Covid caused me to taste a rust taste when I have a Coca-Cola and a lot of food and drinks,” he tweeted. Prior to that, he said, “I had Covid in October 2020. I still havent got my smell back. 0%.”

Rvussian is popularly known for his production of Jamaican dancehall artist,  Vybz Kartel‘s single “Life Sweet” back in 2010. In September 2020, his name was credited for the production of one of the year’s most enjoyed reggae singles, “Lighter” by Tarrus Riley featuring Shenseea.

Responding to his tweets, fans offered advice, many suggesting home remedies which include the use of Apple Cider Vinegar. Many were happy that he used his platform to openly share his experience, triggering an open conversation on a topic that has been met with tremendous global skepticism and conspiracy theories.