The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Museum which occupied the occupied the iconic Penny Bank building in Port of Spain, has been forced to close. A media statement issued by director and chairman of the NGO, Mr. Kenny Attai, attributes the regrettable outcome to a lack of government and corporate support.

The Carnival Museum was incorporated as an NGO in March 2021 and the organization was awarded the Penny Bank building in 2022 for its use. Mr. Attai explained that 80%of renovations to the building have been completed all thanks to an early grant received from the line ministry during that time. “To date, seven successive exhibitions were held with over 20 school tours and over 4000 visitors,” the statement read.

Highlighting the pressures of the last year, Mr. Attai said it has been extremely difficult in getting government and corporate support for what he called, a national treasure. “Through a few friends and well wishers, along with our own personal funding and the tremendous outreach of volunteers, we were able to keep the museum open to the public this year. It is now with deep regret that as of October 1st, we must close the doors to the Penny Bank venue to the public, until further notice.”

Attai noted however that the NGO’s visual platforms www.ttcarnivalmuseum.com and its social media pages, would remain active and updated with projects that are in progress. “It is our sincere hope that Trinidad and Tobago sees the value of recognizing what we have and those who brought us joy and pride since 1841 with the creativity and ingenuity of our people, lest it be taken and owned by others,” said Attai.

Pioneering Canadian emcee, producer, and record executive Kardinal Offishall has released his 6th solo studio album Firestarter Vol.2: Everyday, Sometimes, out now on all streaming platforms via Kardi’s own Black Stone Colleagues label.

The 10-song tour de force bears Kardinal’s production fingerprint on 8 tracks and includes an all-star cast of guest features from around the globe including Black Thought, Stove God Cooks, T-Pain, Konshens, Glenn Lewis, Buju Banton, Idris Elba, NESTA, Melanie Fiona, BJ The Chicago Kid, and Cipha Sounds.

From the hard-hitting kick and snare of the album’s opener, “Heavy Is The Head,” to the final horn and strings refrain of the closing title track, “Everyday, Sometimes (feat. BJ The Chicago Kid),” Kardinal makes clear that he is forging further into elite musical territory on Firestarter Vol. 2.

On his first album release in over a decade, Kardinal Offishall busts through the gate with the ferocity of a thoroughbred racehorse, as he asserts “if you ever wanted to know what a hustler’s ambition sounds like, it sounds like this!” What follows is a masterclass in lyricism, vocal dexterity, and supremely elevated songwriting by a legendary international icon and some of the most talented vocalists on the planet. 

Black Thought and Stove God Cooks join Kardi on the second track, “40 Acres and a Ferrari,” for a militant reminder that it’s never too late to properly address injustices of the past. 

Veteran NYC DJ Cipha Sounds kicks off the radio-ready third track, “All Nighter,” with big throwback energy on the intro before T-Pain drops a clapalong/singalong chorus that instantly sticks. Jamaican dancehall star Konshens dashes some Caribbean flavor on the track with his spicy wordplay, and Kardinal delivers a commanding verse that takes the proceedings to a higher level. 

On the previously released single “Kiss Me When I,” Kardi teams up with fellow Canadian and longtime collaborator Glenn Lewis for Y2K-era vibes, as they rock confidently over a feel-good R&B track built by Grammy Award-winning producer DRTWRK, whose credits include Kanye West, J. Cole, and Lil Wayne, among many others.

“Top 3 (featuring Buju Banton and Idris Elba)” brings together three kings from different corners of the globe, challenging each other to bring their very best for this monumental dancehall collaboration. Toronto, Jamaica, and London connect here on what is sure to be received as an instant cross-continental cultural classic.

Up next is the album’s previously released debut single “My Brother’s Keeper Part 2” featuring the rising young talent NESTA, out of NYC. The deeply personal and sonically rich reggae track builds on the foundation of brotherhood, loyalty, and the unbreakable bonds forged through shared 1st generation Jamaican-Canadian/American experiences. With NESTA joining forces, the collaboration bridges generations. Kardinal’s veteran artistry paired with NESTA’s new perspective creates a dynamic and emotionally resonant piece of music.

“When You’re In Love” features the collection’s only female contributor, Melanie Fiona, as she lends her voice to this soulful ballad that reflects on the peaks and valleys a couple can experience during the course of a relationship.

“Where There’s Smoke” finds the Firestarter standing on the business that has made him a global force in music over the course of a more than 30+ year career. Produced by Montreal-based maestro Asethic, the project’s 9th track hearkens back to Golden Era 90’s hip hop/dancehall fusion with just the right amount of boom and bap to support Kardi’s aggressive vocals that bounce effortlessly from bombastic rapper to murderous singjay, prepared for a clash in any setting.

On track 8, multi-talented English threat Idris Elba links up again with Kardi for “Bombay Sunsets.” Kardinal Offishall trades venomous verses over a slithering snake charmer of a beat with Sir Idris, who was recently knighted by King Charles III at the 2026 New Year Honours.

Kardinal enlists Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter BJ The Chicago Kid for the album’s closer “Everyday, Sometimes.” The infinitely gifted singer taps his church choir roots on the song’s rousing melodic chorus that sits atop a lushly arranged rhythm produced by Kardi. Firestarter Vol. 2’s last track is an inspirational finale that takes listeners through the daily struggles and triumphs of a musical storyteller, giving the audience a deeper glimpse into the journey that has brought Kardinal Offishall’s music screaming back to the forefront.

Speaking about the music, Kardinal O said, “When I first got signed, as a kid, my only goal was representing the city of Toronto, the island of Jamaica, and putting my culture on the biggest platform as possible, so that the world could discover something that they have never seen, heard or felt before. On the 25th anniversary of Firestarter, Volume 1, I put together the avengers for Firestarter Vol.2 and collaborated with some of my favorite artists of all time to bring the world an album that will be the soundtrack to your best years. Feeling like a brand new artist, this album will take you on a journey where we touch upon love, heartbreak, triumphs, spirituality, substance abuse, narcissism, despair, and of course hope. All of the energy on this album is what the world goes through everyday, sometimes…”