Ebuzz News
New Soca Chutney Competition Coming in 2023.
Soca will meet Chutney music in quite a different way in 2023. This is the assurance of two cultural promoters who have joined forces in an effort to truly unify the nation through music. Well known event promoter, Randy Glasgow says he is excited following talks and a solidified partnership with the National Chutney Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago.
Explaining that the competition will encourage Soca artistes to deepen their relationships with artistes within the Chutney fraternity and vice-versa, Glasgow said he hopes the government of Trinidad and Tobago and corporate entities will understand the vision. “There’s no better time than the present to forge unified cultural relationships. We’ve seen the opportunity to unite the world when Machel Montano took Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca music to India. The crowd we saw engaged in that moment, was inspiring – a clear indication of what could happen if we continue to work together as a people,” said Glasgow.
An Unbeatable Showcase
Randy Glasgow Productions has, over the years, hosted Chutney Brass, an event branded as the largest Indo music festival outside of India. In addition to that, the promotional outfit has delivered numerous Soca events, inclusive of ‘Ladies Night Out’ and ‘Soca with Her’. Now, with a clear and purposeful mission determined, Glasgow, together with Dr. Vajay Ramlal Rai of the National Chutney Foundation, are promising an unbeatable and unparalleled showcase of Trinidad and Tobago’s most indelible cultural expressions.
Planning for this spectacular, first of its kind competition is now underway. “We would like to let the artistes know that chief among qualification requirements for this competition is collaboration – a Soca artiste and a Chutney entertainer,” said Glasgow. He assured prizes would be commensurate to the immense production and promotion that fans of both genres will see in the lead up to Carnival 2023. “We really look forward to working with the Ministry of Arts and Culture and all cultural stakeholders, corporate brands and sponsors, to ensure that this Soca-Chutney Competition will be the best the world has ever seen and experienced.
For more details on the event as it unfolds, follow @RandyGlasgowProductions on all social media platforms.
Ebuzz News
Patrice Roberts Pulls 10K Plus Crowd At Flava Village in Port-of-Spain.
The national Carnival Commission says more than 10,000 patrons came out to Flava Village at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Thursday night to see female Soca artiste, Patrice Roberts.
An event dubbed, ‘Always Us,’ held as a free showcase for Carnival lovers, delivered a number of truly entertaining soca stars, among them, Shal Marshall, Shurwayne Winchester, Nadia Batson, Farmer Nappy and Mical Teja. The NCC, in a media statement said, “an estimated 8,000 people filled the popular Carnival venue, with an additional 2,000patrons enjoying the show from viewing screens along The Drag, creating an electric Carnival atmosphere despite heavy rainfall earlier in the day.”
With her usual high energy performances, Patrice held the attention of fans throughout the night.The concert was described by the artiste as a heartfelt “thank you” to her fans and
supporters. NCC’s Chief Executive Officer, Keiba Jacob-Mottley, said the organisation welcomed the opportunity to partner with Roberts. “We commend Patrice for her decision to give back in this meaningful way and applaud her commitment to ensuring that high-quality local entertainment remains accessible to everyone during the Carnival season, Mottley said, adding, “Our collaboration reinforces the NCC’s focus on creating memorable Carnival experiences that celebrate our artistes while removing financial barriers for the public,” she added.
The NCC CEO noted that the Flava Food Village, one of two signature Carnival villages at the
Savannah, alongside the John Cupid Carnival Village, is offered as a vibrant, inclusive space
where patrons can enjoy food, culture, and nightly performances free of charge. She added
that other NCC events, such as “Welcome to the Gayelle” represent the continuing work at
delivering a successful Carnival 2026.
David Baptiste, President of the Carnival Entrepreneurs Association, described the night as a milestone for vendors at the Savannah. “Last night was truly beautiful and something I have never seen before – an event of this magnitude in terms of crowd size, and people supporting the vendors. Many vendors sold out last night. We need more of this, and I am looking forward to the next event. Events like these boost business for our vendors at the Savannah and make them truly feel like they are a part of the Carnival festival,” Baptiste said.
Ebuzz News
Squeezy Rankin’s Pivot. Artiste Goes Hard into Calypso to Change Mindsets.
From dancehall music with rough lyrical content to social commentary that aims at changing mindsets, East Trinidad native, Squeezy Rankin says he has found his true calling in Calypso music. The entertainer is on the road to the preliminary round of the Calypso Monarch Competition later this month, with a single called ‘Rat Race’ – this, one year after ‘Justice’ influenced younger audiences to take a stronger look at the Calypso genre, something that he hopes he can continue to do as his journey in music continues.
In a recent radio interview, the reigning Young King, whose real name is Anthony La Fleur, said prior to 2025, he had not done music professionally in 13 years. Jumping back into the spotlight, he said, was a bit intimidating, but the exposure last year has prepared him for 2026 and the artiste is expected to confidently claim his space in the Calypso Monarch competition this year.
As real as it gets, Squeezy Rankin- a man on the ground, has always fought for his place in the music industry locally. Now, as Calypso music embraces him even more, he says he believes he’s found his place. “I plan on releasing two songs during the year because I want to change the narrative that Calypso music is old people music,” he said, adding that his hope is that urban radio stations see the value in sharing topics of social commentary, such as ‘Justice’ and ‘Rat Race’- songs deep in meaning and valuable beyond measure, in the greater scheme of things.
Determined to change mindsets one song at a time, Squeezy Rankin says his strong suit is certainly social commentary and he will not, at any time, delve into political commentary. “I was advised by someone who is deep in politics to stay out of it and I literally listened. You know sometimes we hear people, but we aren’t listening. I thought about what he said, and it made sense. I literally listened, even though they say I don’t listen,” he said with a laugh.
‘Rat Race’ was written by Squeezy and Angelo Pantin with production by Q-Ban Production.
NEW MUSIC
