There are very few people who have the guts to take a chance on themselves. Phia Smith – a Trinidad and Tobago artiste has done just that. She hosted her very own concert at Queen’s Hall recently, and her music, though unconventional in the Caribbean sense, was well received and enjoyed by everyone who attended.
“That night was the best night of my life. It was out of this world,” she gushed, explaining that headlining her own show, was a dream come true. “At first I was nervous, although I’m used to being on stage in front of people, from my dance background – but to be singing my own songs on stage and being the headliner, it kind of had me anxious,” she admitted.
Phia gets emotional with her mother.
Phia is a Trinidad and Tobago artiste with big dreams. She is extremely fond of International recording artiste, Chris Brown and her style has undoubtedly, been influenced by his in many ways. “When I got on stage to sing and I saw the amount of people who came out to support, I was shocked and my anxiety left me. I became comfortable. Seeing my family and friends in the crowd was so overwhelming – so exciting for me,” she said. Toward the end of the show, she recalls seeing her mother – the woman she calls her biggest supporter, and became emotional. She ran to her and hugged her- something she says she will remember for the rest of her life. “I want to thank my producer, Randal Alexander, my band members, fellow artistes, Umi Marcarno and Orlando Octave, my dancers and everyone who played a part in ensuring that Purple Reign was a success,” said the young singer.
This event, certainly not the last of what the world will experience from Phia, was done with the hope that other young artistes would be inspired. Phia has worked diligently behind the scenes alongside Randal Alexander of PengCo Music, honing her craft and pushing determinedly despite the challenges. Her moment in the spotlight on May 29th, marks only the beginning.
Trinidadian superstar Machel Montano has dropped the sizzling video for “Her Mudda”with the Virgin Islands’ Pumpa ahead of Trinidad & Tobago’s annual Carnival. The single appears on Montano’s upcoming studio album,One Degree Hotter, which is set for for release later this month via his record label, Monk Music.
“With its striking visuals directed by D. Padmore and ColorMeStadic, pulsating rhythms produced by Stadic & Jonny Blaze, and vibrant performances throughout, “Her Mudda” is a testament to the infectious spirit of soca music and the power of dance,” a media release issued by the team, highlights.
Pumpa and Machel have collaborated on “Yuh Mudda.”
“Her Mudda” along with Machel’s recently released singles – “Fling It Up” ft. Davido, “Pepper Vine” ft. Lady Lava and Drupatee, “PARDY”, “The Truth”, “Bumpa”, and “Fallen Fetters” with Skinny Fabulous – will all be featured on One Degree Hotter.
The album’s title is a play on words, not only referencing his hot streak of hit records, but also a nod to his recent completion of a Master’s degree in Carnival Studies at the University of Trinidad & Tobago.
“After two years earning my Master’s degree in Carnival Studies, immersing myself in my culture, and studying where we’ve come from, I’m more inspired than ever about where we can go next. I couldn’t wait to get back in the studio and work on my next album, fueled by everything I’ve learned. ‘One Degree Hotter’ is a double entendre—it marks my Master’s degree, but also my mission to turn up the heat on my music and take it to the corners of the globe,” Machel said.
“Songs like ‘Fling It Up’ ft. Davido and ‘Pepper Vine’ with Lady Lava and Drupatee reflect that vision—pushing Soca forward by connecting it with the global sounds of Africa and India. To me, this album represents a step forward in the evolution of my sound and mission,” he adds.
One Degree Hotter follows Machel’s 2021 star-studded album The Wedding Album, which featured Afro B, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Teddy Riley, Vybz Kartel and many more.
The announcement follows Machel’s appearance on NPR’s Tiny Desk, a major milestone for the Soca genre as Machel made history becoming the first soca artist to perform on the platform. The video has garnered over 1 million views in the short time since its release. NPR spoke on the significance of Machel’s performance saying, “Montano’s performance is the first to bring soca, the high energy dance music of the Caribbean, to the Tiny Desk. The genre was born in Trinidad and Tobago in the early 1970s when calypso artist Lord Shorty (who later chose the name Ras Shorty I) added traditional Indian percussion instruments and rhythms to calypso music — itself a fusion that incorporates elements of African, Venezuelan, French and American music.”
In preparation for the 2025 Trinidad & Tobago Carnival, Machel Montano will defend his Calypso Monarch crown. Fans have already deemed the musical maestro’s single “PARDY” one of the top contenders for the coveted Road March race, which if he wins, Montano will be tied with the legendary Lord Kitchener for the most all time at 11 titles.
One ‘Drink Champs’ appearance has landed internationally acclaimed dancehall artiste, Beenie Man, in hot water. The ‘Gyal Dem Sugar’ singer appeared on the popular US platform recently, after returning to the US after many years, having been previously barred from entry.
”I love Trinidad. I love Trinidad but dog don’t eat doubles. I don’t eat anything that dog don’t eat,” he told hosts Nore and DJ EFN. The duo had asked the entertainer whether he ate the Trinidad and Tobago delicacy. He went on to say that while the popular street food is nice, and he’s had it a couple times, even outlining the ‘triples’ version, he said he would not eat it because if it’s thrown to the dogs, they refuse to eat it.
Today, in a swift denouncement of an artiste that has been on many stages in T&T for decades, the people of Trinidad and Tobago have demanded an apology. On popular radio station, Vibe CT 105FM, hosts Ken Simmons and George Gonzales debated the matter, George calling for DJs to desist from playing the artiste’s music until a proper apology is received. Many callers echoed his sentiments.
Beenie Man was barred from US entry since 2015, along with artistes like Aidonia, Bounty Killer, Sizzla, and Mavado. His travel limitation continued even after Aidonia and Mavado’s visas were restored. In 2011, Beenie Man’s visa was temporarily restored, but by 2015, he was angain barred entry to the United States. On December 26th, 2024, the artiste publicly announced that his Visa had been reinstated.
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