Ebuzz News
Archived: Patrice Roberts Enlists Ian Pantin On Her Team
On the heels of a brand new release for Carnival 2014 comes word this morning that Ian Pantin is now part and parcel of Patrice Roberts’ team, managing the soca hottie as a new season of revelry comes into focus. Via media release this morning, Pantin’s IP Music International announced the agreement, saying that details of the agreement had not been issued publicly.
Patrice Roberts is now signed to Ian Pantin’s management.
Patrice has been doing a lot of solo performances, manning stages across the Caribbean and internationally, as has fellow HD band member, Farmer Nappy. Machel Montano who leads the HD band, in previous comments indicated his desire to see young entertainers such as Patrice and others like her, develop into their own. When ETCETERABUZZ.COM spoke with Patrice during Grenada’s carnival celebrations earlier this year she said she had been enjoying the solo ride and was working arduously on perfecting her stage show. In recent weeks, the artiste has released several well embraced soca singles, among them, ‘Doh Rough Meh Up’, ‘Hold On Tight’, ‘ Pull Me Over’ and ‘Pong It’.
In the media release, the former Road March winner said she is looking to take her career to the next level, bringing more visibility to who she is and her music. ” I feel Ian Pantin is the right person to take me there” she ends.
Pantin, left, is the former manager of Bunji Garlin and The Asylum.
Pantin meanwhile attests to having worked with the singer previously. ” I worked with Patrice in 2005 following discussions I had with Kernal Roberts and William Munro. It was a pleasure then, to assist her for that short period in developing her career . It’s an honor again to partner with her and build her a brand that will be even more recognized, not only in Trinidad but across the region, North and Central America, Europe, Japan, Middle East, Africa and more, he said.
Patin’s new portfolio comes on the heels of what some may say was a very public break up between he and Bunji Garlin, Fay-Ann Lyons and Asylum a few months ago. The matter engaged the attention of many as some immediately sought to cast blame on Lyons-Alvarez who is known for her strong feminine personality. Since that time however, the Asylum camp has moved on to create their own work space in Mucurapo, Trinidad with Lyons-Alvarez even explaining to EBUZZ recently that she has taken on full duty at the House Of Vikings where business meetings take place, along with band practice.
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
