Ebuzz News
Archived: Power Soca is Back? 5 Star Akil Banks on It! Here’s Why.
Thought Power Soca was dying? Maybe you were right. Here’s how one of Soca’s rising stars looks at it.
“The music is now starting to get back the vibe that was once present in parties”. 5 Star Akil.
With his uptempo release, “Hero” a certified hit ahead of Carnival 2017, one of Trinidad and Tobago’s rising Soca stars is hopeful that this year’s contributions to the Power Soca element of carnival, can be a step in the direction for the uptempo rhythms’ return to the carnival landscape. In the past few years, there has been an outcry by many who’ve observed the decline of Power Soca anthems- songs like Superblue’s “Signal for Lara”, Machel Montano’s “Big Truck”, Shurwayne Winchester’s, “De Band Coming,” Destra’s “Bacchanal” and even Fay Ann Lyons’ “Display” paving the way in years gone by.
5 Star Akil says “Hero” is for the hardcore fetters.
Akil says he’s seen a drastic difference in the number of Power Soca songs that have been released this season, as compared to last. ” I wouldn’t say Power is dying but I would say it was on its way out because we were losing the melodies in Power Soca,” he said. Akil says he feels people have now begun to realize the importance of the uptempo music to the Carnival energy. “We were actually losing the formula. We were concentrating on trying to get the music out there, but in doing so, we were losing the people here at home,” he admitted.
His new single, “Hero” stands at 132 Beats per minute (BPM) and as he explained, the song was built for fetters and can be categorized as either Groovy or Power Soca. “I think this song that I’ve done here will bring back that feeling we used to have in fetes- the way we used to continuously go to all the fetes and party non stop.”
5 Star Akil is certainly building a solid brand in the world of Soca. He has released six tracks ahead of C2K17, among them, a track done with Kerwin DuBois called, “Doh Blame It”.
CARNIVAL 2017 Soca – HERO.
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.