The cheat code to succeeding at everything you touch as a creative, is passion – pure, lingering passion. That’s one Trinbagonian creative’s final analysis of the inroads he’s personally made over the years. Now, jumping from behind the engineering of sounds we know and love from Soca artistes across the length and breadth of the region, to expressing his very own internal truths, Stephon Gabriel is once again following passion.
Stephon has produced for many artists and has released a project of his own.
Gabriel Creative Studios in Couva, is the playground created by this sound engineer. He left his position at Microsoft years ago, to follow his passion, he says, this after returning to T&T, having studied music at USC. “I’ve been in the music industry for over 15 years. From the age of 14, I knew music lived in me. I was the guy at school everyone would come to, to record love songs for their girlfriends,” he recalled with a chuckle. He says those formative years influenced what he would later become. “I got a guitar for my 14th birthday and it was set from there. Since that time, I’ve been heavily involved in both music and film. I’ve worked on a few featured films, including work done as part of the crew on ‘Home and Again’ here in Trinidad,” he said, adding that on the music side of things, he’s worked in some capacity with most of the big names in Soca.
Jumping head-first now into territory he has strongly assisted with, but has never been in the spotlight for, Gabriel releases a new single called, ‘Soft Touch.’ “This song came about because I wanted to express myself. It started with one of my producers I work with – Jumaane, who sent me a couple tracks and I put aside a particular one and then on one random night I listened to it and got to writing. That was three months ago,” he recalled. Now, the track finally completed, after great collaboration with like-minded musicians, Gabriel says he’s eager for the world to hear it.
A mixture of exploration and passion, Gabriel’s latest creative effort adds to his ongoing dedication to effectively positioning Caribbean artistes for international opportunities. “I have a publishing arm of my company called ‘Just In Time Music,’ which aims to bridge the gap between Caribbean creatives and Hollywood and the world,” Gabriel explained, adding, “I have agents out there who work with me to get our music placed into movies and television shows.”
The music producer said he began creating independent songs strictly for film and because it was so well received, he was able to secure several deals, in a relatively short space of time. “I went on to extend the service to creatives here in Trinidad and Tobago but part of the challenge has been educating others on publishing and other aspects of that side of the business,” he admitted.
Optimistic and dedicated, Stephon Gabriel has proceeded to do what he can, to teach others about the ins and outs of the global music industry. He set up a TikTok account, educating fellow Caribbean creatives with tips and other valuable information pertinent to royalties, masters, publishing and the like. “StephanGabrial868 is the channel and as I continue with that effort, I’ll say one of my goals is to one day be able to go to my distributor and choose “Soca” as the genre for the music I deliver,” he said.
Armed with his skills as a music and film professional, Stephon Gabriel’s pushing every envelope – passionately following his heart even into artistry, understanding that anything is possible in today’s world. “I’ve worked on hundreds, maybe thousands of songs for people. My voice is in a lot of songs as well. As a creative you love to do what you love and there are limitations on what you can do on someone else’s song,” he said, noting that doing this new single of his own, offered him the opportunity to do it his way.
“Earlier this year I did what I call a re-imagine of Kees’ ‘Cocoa Tea’ and I went left with it, changing the instruments and posting it online in January. It was surprising to see that it was so well received; I got a lot of engagement online,” he recalled.
Passionate and ready for whatever may come, Stephon has gone all out on the release of ‘Soft Touch.’ “It’s being released with a video and I just want to say the song isn’t a release for ‘carnival’ per say. It’s a song for global appreciation. It’s a groove that can be enjoyed all year long.”
‘Soft Touch’ was written by Gabriel with production collaboratively done by Jumaane, Jaydot, Amiel Duncan and Gabriel himself. The song was mastered by Andre Stewart.
The vibrant sounds of classic dancehall and contemporary reggaeton collide on “De Shot Call (Remix),” a dynamic new collaboration from Trinidad and Tobago recording artist General Grant and versatile entertainer Mr. Renzo.
.Designed to ignite dancefloors while honoring the rich musical heritage of the Caribbean, the track blends the raw, energetic spirit of early 1990s dancehall with the infectious grooves and global appeal of modern reggaeton. The result is a high-energy anthem that bridges generations, cultures, and musical styles.
Inspired by the golden era of dancehall that helped shape Caribbean music culture, “De Shot Call (Remix)” reimagines that signature sound through a contemporary lens. The production delivers nostalgic undertones while embracing the polished rhythms and vibrant energy that resonate with today’s audiences.
For General Grant, the project continues his commitment to preserving and evolving authentic Caribbean music. Widely respected for his contributions to the dancehall and reggae landscape, he brings his signature delivery and commanding presence to the remix, reinforcing the song’s connection to the genre’s roots.
Joining him is Mr. Renzo, a singer, songwriter, and entertainer whose career spans more than two decades. Recognized for his ability to blend Caribbean, Latin, pop, and urban influences, Mr Renzo adds a fresh and modern dimension to the track, helping to create a sound that transcends borders and appeals to a broad international audience.
Together, the two artists showcase how Caribbean music continues to evolve while remaining grounded in its traditions. “De Shot Call (Remix)” serves as a celebration of that journey, highlighting the seamless transition from dancehall’s formative years to Reggaeton’s current global prominence.
The single was executive produced by Lawrence Adams – Mr. Renzo, who also co-wrote the track alongside Curtis Grant – General Grant. Recording and editing duties were handled by Stephon Gabriel, while engineer Ovy Thouni delivered the song’s polished mix and master.
With its infectious rhythm, energetic performances, and cross-generational appeal, “De Shot Call (Remix)” is positioned to become a favourite among fans of Caribbean music and lovers of dancefloor-ready hits alike.
Whether you’re a longtime dancehall enthusiast or a fan of today’s reggaeton movement, this collaboration offers the perfect soundtrack to turn up the volume and celebrate the enduring influence of Caribbean music.
“De Shot Call (Remix)” is now available for audiences ready to experience the fusion of old-school dancehall energy and modern reggaeton flavor.
The Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago will host the inaugural solo exhibition of Trinidad-based visual artist and musician AndyVenture, known professionally as VENCHA. OVER YA HEAD opens on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 and runs through July 4, 2026. Admission is free and the public is invited to experience a body of work that deliberately resists easy interpretation — placing the viewer in direct contact with ideas that exceed ordinary perception.
OVER YA HEAD is a multidisciplinary exhibition spanning painting and visual narrative. The works explore perception, ascension, limitation and expanded states of human experience, presenting images that challenge fixed ways of seeing reality and imagine possibilities beyond ordinary existence.
Drawing from Einstein’s theory of relativity and mathematical concepts of higher-dimensional space, AndyVenture treats the exhibition as an invitation to encounter ideas that operate at the outer limits of human comprehension. The title itself is both provocation and promise – the work is not designed to be immediately understood, but to be genuinely felt.
Central to the exhibition is an evolving visual mythology: recurring figures known as Ahomi and Dem appear across paintings as anchors of a larger conceptual world that AndyVenture has been steadily constructing across his practice.“I want the audience to encounter something that sits outside of familiar understanding. There isn’t an expectation of immediate understanding. The experience is about confronting something that operates beyond what is easily grasped,” said Ventura.
A Little About The Artist.
AndyVenture (VENCHA), born Andre Allong, is a Trinidad-based visual artist and musician whose practice spans painting, music and multimedia expression. His work draws on graffiti art, hip hop and rapso lyricism, comic book art, science fiction and contemporary culture to create vibrant, conceptually layered works that move between the personal and the cosmic.
Visually, his work reflects the influence of legendary comic book artist Jack Kirby, whose expansive sense of scale and form shaped how AndyVenture approaches composition and impact, alongside local luminaries Leroy Clarke and Carlisle Chang, whose practices carry a strong sense of vision and cultural identity. He further developed his artistic foundation through the Visual Arts Certificate Programme at The University of the West Indies.
Conceptually, the work is rooted in a rejection of cycles of conflict and suffering that are routinely accepted as fixed features of human existence. In their place, AndyVenture imagines the possibility of an evolved human consciousness – one oriented towards perception, potential and transformation. One of the conceptual anchors running through his practice is the interplay between the words axis and access – a linguistic shift that reframes mathematical structure as a metaphor for perception itself and how different ways of seeing might open entirely different experiences of reality.
“I’m interested in the possibility that human perception and behaviour can evolve beyond those patterns. The work comes from a rejection of the cycles of conflict and suffering that are often accepted as part of human existence.” –AndyVenture (VENCHA)
error: This content is protected. if you wish to use this content in anyway please contact us.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.