Ebuzz News
Archived: Pan, J’ouvert and Parade of the Bands. It’s On and Poppin in Miami This Weekend!
It’s been a tough year- matter of fact, it’s been a tumultuous two years; but, there’s been a silver lining – a greater appreciation among Caribbean people for the culture of their native lands. For Trinbagonians around the world, Carnival’s elements have been missed. At home in Trinidad and Tobago where the Mecca festival was missed in 2021, and no word yet on whether there will be anything resembling carnival in 2022, culture stakeholders remain hopeful. In Miami however, fetters, pan lovers, Masqueraders, DJs and performers lead the way into the next season of possibilities, this coming weekend.
On Friday, the Miami Carnival Panorama kicks off at 5pm at the Miami- Dade County Fairgrounds, which will play host to all of this coming weekend’s events, including the anticipated Miami Carnival Parade of Bands on Sunday, October 10th. That starts at 12noon and follows the J’ouvert excitement which starts at 7am and goes until 3pm! Now that is vibes!
On Friday however, bands like Melo Groove, Metro Steel Orchestra, Phase III Pan Stars, Resurrection Steel and Sticks’ n’ Tones Steel band compete before what is expected to be an upbeat crowd of pan aficionados and those new to the sweet sound of steel. There will also be guest performances by the Trinidad All-Stars Steel Orchestra & Newtown Playboys Steel Symphony.
Soca artistes have taken up temporary residence in the US since the summer started. Artistes like Fay Ann Lyons, Bunji Garlin, Voice, Nadia Batson, Patrice Roberts and many others have been delivering to fans across the US for the past few months. Now, they’ll hit the Miami Carnival main stage in what’s dubbed the Miami Carnival Soca Concert on Sunday. Headlined by Bunji and Fay Ann, the event will see performances by Ravi B & Karma, Voice, Dil E Nadan, The A-Team Band, Iwer George, Destra Garcia, Skinny Banton, Motto, Nadia Batson, Teddyson John, Patrice Roberts, Julien Believe, Asa Bantan, Wendy & DJ Judgement, Jeran P, Jay Shephard, Annika Berry, DJ Spice and Mature Vibes among others.
Each year, Miami Broward carnival, which is produced by the Miami Broward One Carnival Host Committee and hosted by the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, attracts thousands from around the US, with even carnival lovers from T&T ensuring they’re present annually. This year, amid the COVID-19 pandemic’s restrictions, attendees to all major Miami Carnival events on the weekend, must show a negative PCR test, taken no earlier than October 6th to be allowed access to the fun.
For more on the upcoming events, details on park and ride and even info on where you can get your PCR test, call the Miami Carnival team at 305.653.1877 or CLICK HERE. Also, follow Miami Carnival on social media- Twitter+IG @miabrocarnival and Facebook at Miami Broward One.
Music News
Vybz Kartel To Headline Reggae Sumfest This Year, Alongside Mavado. New Album, ‘God & Time’ Set for June Release.
One of the most influential artists in dancehall history, Vybz Kartel, marks a defining new chapter with his forthcoming album God & Time, slated for release June 5th, 2026.
In recent weeks, dancehall artiste, Vybz Kartel has been receiving some backlash online after sharing videos of himself wearing a bonnet while dancing in his underwear and a robe. The noise increased after he shared it a second time, almost taunting his detractors and making it clear that he is rich and does not care for the unsolicited comments of naysayers. Fast forward days later and like magic, the artiste’s pre-album release publicity stunt ushers in the release of his forthcoming album God & Time, set for a June 5th release. Kartel ain’t no fool.
The upcoming album is symbolic for the artiste who spent 13 years behind bars in Jamaica and was only released in 2024. It is being touted as his most personal and sonically expansive body of work since his release. The album will span genres and features an all star lineup of artistes including, Puerto Rican superstar Farruko, Jamaica’s Skillibeng, and Shenseea, with more artistes to be included.
In a media release, it is highlighted that throughout God & Time, Vybz Kartel moves seamlessly between personal reflections, hard-hitting dancehall anthems, sensual records for the ladies, genre-bending crossover records, and rare moments of vulnerability. It adds that it is inspired by the Jamaican expression “God & Time”—rooted in faith, patience, and destiny—and reflects the artiste’s survival, rebirth, and creative freedom.
The title track evokes the same introspective tone as Kartel’s most streamed post-release hit “God Is The Greatest,” which has surpassed 30 million video views year-to-date.
Produced by longtime collaborator TJ Records alongside Kartel, the album reunites the creative team behind Viking (Vybz Is King) (2015) and King of the Dancehall (2016), which included the RIAA Gold-certified hit “Fever.” God & Time will be released via TJ Records / Vybz Kartel Muzik and distributed by Zojak World Wide.
In support of the new album, Vybz Kartel will headline Reggae Sumfest on July 18th, alongside Mavado, reuniting two dancehall icons whose rivalry defined the genre throughout the 2000s in a landmark moment for Jamaican music and culture.
Ebuzz News
Denise Belfon Thanks Drake’s ‘OVO’ Team for Inclusion of Her ‘Work’ on New Track.
Canadian rapper, Drake is once again teaming up with Caribbean entertainers, delivering a brand new album called, ‘Maid of Honor,’ which is now available on all streaming platforms. It was one of three albums the artiste simultaneously dropped on May 15th – the other two being ICEMAN and HABIBTI.
One of the singles on ‘Maid of Honor,’ called ‘BBW’ features the work of Trinidad and Tobago entertainer, Denise ‘Saucy Wow’ Belfon – her 1998 track, ‘Work.’
The lyrics, ‘Put Yuh Back in It’ became a trending expression on TikTok in 2020 when it became a challenge on the popular platform. That viral opportunity six years ago, led to the song’s resurgence and Belfon’s name being called by younger generations whose parents, aunts and uncles would’ve more than likely grown up on her music and performances in the Caribbean. Fast forward to 2026, and Belfon is once again enjoying a viral moment as news broke that her song had been sampled by Drake. “Everything is legitimate and I want to thank the team – Fabian Alfonso, a copyright specialist out of Trinidad and Tobago ; He was very instrumental in making this deal become reality, said Belfon in a chat with Ebuzztt, before expressing gratitude to several other instrumental people, and Drake’s OVO team.
In 2022, dancehall artiste, Shenseea and rapper, Megan Thee Stallion also sampled ‘Work’ on the single, ‘Lick.’ Belfon, who lives in New York, had, at that time, attended a release party at a nightclub in New York, where Shenseea acknowledged the Soca artiste’s influence on the new release.
The Maid of Honor album delivers 14 singles and added to T&T’s Denise Belfon, Jamaican artiste, Popcaan is also featured on a single called, ‘Amazing Shape.’
Denise Belfon’s personality and charisma has, for a very long time, made her a fan favorite in the Caribbean. A vocal powerhouse and unique stage performer, she has stood the test of time in the Soca music industry, having created massive soca anthems like ‘Work,’ ‘Wine and Bend Over’ and ‘Wining Queen’ among countless other flavorful singles.
