Caribbean Buzz
Phia Is Buzzin’ and Her Vibe’s Exceptional. Look Out World!
The name Phia is going to be a huge one. Fresh, untouched, unparalleled and authentic to her vibe, Trinidad and Tobago’s newest hitmaker on the music circuit has her eyes set on global stardom, and get this… she isn’t singing Soca.
Her latest pop release, ‘Exception,’ has already proven exceptional, receiving nods of approval from T&T’s music tastemakers – radio announcers and DJs who’ve been attesting daily, to the tune’s international marketability, lyrical relatability and easy listening capability. Phia’s on top of the world- this being her second major music release in recent months, out of PengCo Studio. “The song is about a special guy- a guy who’s like nobody else,” said the 21-year-old, adding that the lyrics are all about how this one guy makes her feel- something that all women have, or will eventually relate to in their lives.
‘Exception’ was released complete with a music video and there are plans afoot to market it further via a TikTok challenge. For the young artist, the sky is the limit in a time when digital marketing and branding afford visibility to millions worldwide. “Promotion and visibility are undoubtedly a couple of the key aspects in any new artiste’s career and my team and I are working hard to cover all bases, as we push forward with this and other music projects,” she said.
Phia believes in delivering good music that penetrates wide markets and bridges generational gaps. Her biggest supporters have been her parents to whom she is incredibly grateful. “I think the market here in the Caribbean is primed for something new and different. There’ll always be the critics and the sceptics, but that’s all a part of it,” she said confidently. “I’m ready for what’s coming,” said the young singer as she revealed plans for two additional releases in the month ahead and an EP in 2022.
‘Exception’ was written by Phia and mixed and mastered by Randal Alexander of PengCo Music. The young, vibrant talent hinted at collaborations in the very near future, saying that she has an upcoming feature alongside Umi Marcano, while there are plans for a collab with Orlando Octave.
Focused and steered by a team she believes in, Phia’s optimism is refreshing. “I’m still learning about the business of music but my team is very instrumental in teaching me about it, and we’ve been trying a lot of new things to get into the right spaces that would allow the music to reach its full potential,” she said. With more on the way and a spark that’s definitely ignited for the long haul, Phia is headed to the top, one way or another.
For more on Phia, follow her on Instargram @phiaofficialmusic.
NEW MUSIC
Caribbean Buzz
Lil’ Bitts Vows Never to Miss de Mas Again as She Prepares for a Jam-packed 2025 Season
After two decades in the business, Lil’ Bitts—aka Shivonne Churche-Isaacs—has made a vow she plans to keep: never again will she sit out Carnival. The multi-talented artiste, known for her infectious energy and stage presence, has had a front-row seat to Trinidad and Tobago’s iconic festival season for years, but it wasn’t always smooth sailing. She still remembers the shock she felt when she made the decision to skip the parades on Carnival Monday and Tuesday one season, only to end up physically sick. “I got sick—like, literally,” she admits. “I’ll never ignore Carnival’s call again.”
This year, Bitts is more than ready to hit the streets with Yuma for an unforgettable Carnival 2025. The excitement is palpable as she gears up for what’s sure to be a thrilling season, both on and off the road.
Rising to the Occasion with “Brighter Days”
With five songs under her belt and a growing social media presence, Lil’ Bitts is enjoying a well-deserved moment in the spotlight. Her Instagram and other platforms have become hubs of interaction with fans, opening doors to new collaborations and promotional opportunities. “Social media is the ultimate artiste toolkit,” she says, urging fellow performers to embrace the digital world to connect with their audiences.
One of her most highly anticipated projects is the track “Brighter Days,” which she says has been in the works for three years. Produced by Gaffa Productions, the song has become a personal passion project. “This one is really special,” she shares. “The world needs positivity right now, and I feel like this song is necessary.” She credits the magic of modern technology for making it all come together, working with talented producers like Stemz, District 6 Studios, and Benje Music in hybrid mode from different locations in the region. She’s also collaborated with M1 on a single called “Wetter” for the 2025 season. “We’ve been talking about working together for years, and I’m so happy it’s finally happened,” she says. “M1’s a unique talent; there aren’t a lot of artistes like him.”
A Dream Come True: Chutney and Multi-Cultural Magic
As if things weren’t busy enough, Lil’ Bitts has recently ventured into the world of chutney music. She got a call from the Pungalunks Factory to contribute vocals for a track with Reshma Ramlal, the Warrior Princess herself. The track, “Poowah Nah Ready,” is a dream come true for Bitts, who has always had an affinity for East Indian culture. “When I was a kid, I loved dressing in Indian clothes and watching Bollywood movies. I knew I wanted to do a Chutney song one day, but it had to feel natural. And this—this feels right,” she said. Bitts reflects on how much she’s learned and appreciated about Trinidad and Tobago’s multicultural beauty through this experience. “The energy on set, the unity—it was amazing. We’re one people, and that’s something I never want to forget.” The collaboration has already earned a place in the spotlight, with Ramlal making it into the semi-finals of the Chutney Soca Monarch competition.
Caribbean Buzz
$1 Million Up for Grabs In New Ultimate Soca Champions Competition.
Trinidad and Tobago is set to stage a revamped International Soca Monarch competition in what is now dubbed The Ultimate Soca Champion competition. The event’s final will be staged on Thursday, February 20th, with the semi final round set for Sunday, February 9th. The announcement was made earlier today by organisers, at a media conference held at Queen’s Hall, Port of Spain.
The organisers said the competition will not be split into Groovy/Power categories, however they said there will be special prizes for Best Groovy Soca, Best Power Soca and People’s Champion, based on public votes.
The event will feature the Ultimate Soca Champion reality TV show which organizers say is aimed at giving viewers an intimate look into the competition. “We believe this will help our culture to reach international audiences when packaged properly,” the team said.
In-Person Auditions will take place on Saturday, January 25th, 2025 at 9:00 AM at the Fernando Academy of the Performing Arts (SAPA). Regional/ International Artistes who are not in Trinidad and Tobago, are required to submit video auditions from January 20th at 8:00am to January 26th at 11:59pm.
“We aim to make this a production that captivates
audiences worldwide,” said Rome. “The Ultimate Soca Champion Competition will not only
elevate soca to international standards but also inspire the next generation of artistes.”
For registration, submission guidelines, and updates, visit ultimatesocachampion.com from Monday January 20th, or email ultimatesocachampion@gmail.com.
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