Caribbean Buzz
Rane Is Ready! Artiste Steps In Strong into Carnival 2025.
Talented and humble enough to know that she’s still got work to put in, Rane Blackman is making every opportunity count. The US based soca artiste is reeling off the success of a single released for Barbados’ Cropover this year- a track called, ‘Careless,’ produced by Barbados’ DJ Ky. She said she never expected the single to do as well as it did,and now she is leveraging on that unexpected boost, maintaining her standard and pushing hard into 2025.
Rane Blackman is a woman of tremendous tact. Personable, passionate and undeniably driven, the T&T born artiste who also wears a military hat as a member of the US military, says she takes nothing for granted. In 2024, having delivered three singles for T&T Carnival, she made her way back to the US where she opened for Nadia Batson at her Artform event in New York City and subsequent to that, she hit the stage at Vibes with Voicey on Labor Day in New York. Her growth over the past few years is owed in part to continued networking and strategic planning. In fact, when the opportunity arose for Rane to enter the Bajan Cropover market, she jumped at the chance. “Careless did really well in Barbados. I worked with DJ Ky who is a well-known producer there and that really helped me to get a foot in the door with other artistes, songwriters and DJs. I really think it’s beneficial for artistes to collaborate with producers and other creatives outside of their traditional spaces,” said Rane, highlighting that doing so, shows an artiste’s versatility and ability to delve into other musical sounds.
Her music over the past few years have been carefully selected, blending well on the Groovy music vein. In fact, in 2024, one single in particular, ‘Let We Go,’ on the Sass Riddim, after being road-remixed by producer and DJ Shot Master J, was picked up by someone in Spain and used in Zumba choreography, which subsequently led to the song being shared and used around several countries, including Germany. “I allow my music to do what it will. My songs have always been received well outside of the traditional Soca spaces,” said the artiste, adding, “Right now, ‘Let We Go’ is playing hard in Korea and Japan. It feels good to know that people who do not event speak English, are enjoying my music.”
Earlier this year, Rane took a leap of faith with an idea she had for a live interaction with Soca music lovers around the world. She told her team she wanted to showcase the real ‘behind the scenes’ of the industry of which she’s a part. She decided to call it ‘Behind the Soca’ and invited fellow creatives in the Soca space to share experiences and history about being in the industry on Instagram Live, with her as a host. The show, which was initially marketed as a bi-weekly programme, took off. “The reception has been overwhelming. Sometimes the interviews go on for hours and it’s because the viewers are so engaged,” said Rane. “The history shared by some of the artistes has been really educational for me as well,” she admitted, highlighting that she has spoken with people like songwriter Jason ‘Shaft’ Bishop, producer David Millien of Millbeatz Entertainment, artiste and promoter, Rome and even dancehall and Soca sensation, Lady Lava.
Effectively marrying her artistic ability with her understanding of what online audiences crave, Rane has created a show that she says works well for the exposure of everyone involved, including herself. “Since I started doing the show, I’ve had to go from twice per month to weekly because people are eager to be part of it,” she said, noting that guest requests by fellow creatives, have been consistent.
Now, as Trinidad and Tobago carnival 2025 opens its curtains, Rane is ready to rumble once again, delivering four singles, the Barbados favorite, ‘Careless,’ ‘Doh Fraid,’ which was produced by Nyce Nation, ‘So Hot’ produced by Body Rock and Shot Master J and finally, ‘Free Up,’ which was written by Jason ‘Shaft’ Bishop and produced by Keelan “Azaryah” Callender. “So Hot’ has been doing really well,” said the artiste, recalling the words of the late Devon Matthews. “Devon once told me it’s the song we least expect to take off, that often surprises us.”
Rane Blackman is definitely an artiste to watch in the season ahead, this as she cements her name in the industry one single at a time. “No matter what, I’ll continue to pour my heart and soul into this music because this music is the joy that sustains so many of us, every day.”
As the artiste’s journey continues apace, she encourages music lovers to follow her @muzic_rane on Instagram.
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Caribbean Buzz
Destra Delivers Powerfully at Reflections.
“If this sharing that I’m doing touches anyone, I’m truly grateful. None of us are perfect. Some days you’ll feel good, some days you won’t, but it’s all part of the journey. Sometimes what you’re looking for is right on the horizon, and the moment you give up, you miss it. If my testimony makes anyone feel something, then my work here is done.” – DESTRA GARCIA
Trinidad and Tobago received a musical showcase of spiritual awakening yet again this past Saturday, at Destra’s ‘Reflections: Sound. Spirit. Surrender.” The event took place at Queen’s Hall, St. Ann’s and proved to be a truly inspiring and uplifting musical experience.
From the onset, the show set a standard that fans of good music with powerful lyrics, would rave about for weeks. David Rudder – a cultural icon of Calypso music out of Trinidad and Tobago, welcomed the audience as he hit the stage first delivering the very fitting, ‘High Mas.’ It was a powerful blessing no doubt – something that would lead into a seamless spiritual production. He was subsequently joined on stage by Destra, something that created a full-circle moment that drew immediate emotion from the audience.
Known for her unmistakeable vocal ability, Destra took her audience on a carefully curated musical journey, opening her set with Free Again before transitioning into slowed-down, soul-stirring renditions of some of her most beloved songs, including Love Somebody and Fly and with each performance, she revealed a different layer of her artistry, offering vulnerability, reflection, and strength.
One of the night’s most touching highlights came as Garcia shared the stage with her daughter, Xaiya, for a heartfelt duet of The Prayer. Beginning at the piano, Xaiya gently set the tone before joining her mother in song, creating an intimate moment that resonated deeply with the audience.
The production, which was creatively directed by Zara Bartels and Isoke Edwards, also showcased the incredible talent of father and son pan duo Martin and De’jean Cain as well as the Maria Regina Grade School and St. Joseph’s Convent Port- of- Spain choirs, whose vibrant and polished performances brought a refreshing, youthful energy to the stage. Gospel artiste, Nisa joined Garcia for a powerful duet of Bridge Over Troubled Water. She also performed her original composition Make Me Over, adding another layer of spiritual depth to the evening.
As the show built toward its finale, Garcia delivered a commanding rendition of Ella Andall’s Bring Down the Power, followed by classic hymns including A Little More Oil in My Lamp. This climactic segment was elevated by the presence of traditional belle dancers and African drummers, creating a rich, cultural fusion that brought the audience to its feet. Beyond the performances, the overall production, brought to life through Bridgette Wilson’s choreography and Atiba Borde’s costuming, stood out for its seamless execution, immersive ambience, and thoughtful storytelling, reinforcing Reflections as more than just a concert, but a transformative experience.
Reflections certainly delivered a powerful blend of music, filled with deep messages and meaning. In what is a very spiritual season, Destra, through the delivery of ‘Reflections,’ has carved out a space for inspiration and connection within Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural landscape – something that many would agree, is a necessity more than an option.
Caribbean Buzz
Belize’s Shyne, Talks Culture and Governance at Island Music Conference. Challenges Caribbean Leaders.
Belizean political leader and notable Hip Hop figure , The Honourable, Dr. Moses “Shyne” Barrow has identified Jamaica as a regional blueprint for how culture and governance can work together to build sustainable industry.
Delivering a keynote address entitled, ‘From Stage to State’ at the Island Music Conference (IMC) in Kingston, Jamaica last week, Barrow urged Caribbean governments to move beyond symbolic support of the arts and toward structured public–private partnerships.
“These conferences are so very important,” he told delegates, describing information exchange as critical in an evolving global music economy. Responding to a question from Overtime Media about cultural influence as an economic engine, Barrow pointed to Jamaica’s global footprint. “The work of great musicians such as Bob Marley and Shabba Ranks, as well as the development of Reggae and Dancehall music, has done more for the Jamaican tourism product than anything else,” he said.
PHOTO: Overtime Media.
According to Barrow, Jamaica exemplifies how successive political administrations, despite partisan rivalry, maintained consistent implementation policies that enabled private-sector investment in the music industry. “They were fighting each other, but giving the same implementation,” he noted, crediting that alignment for helping Jamaican music achieve unmatched global recognition.“There is no one in the world who does not know about Jamaica — its music, its food and its culture,” he noted.
Barrow framed his own political evolution as rooted in Hip Hop’s entrepreneurial DNA. Calling his transition from performer to legislator “quintessential Hip-Hop,” he cited moguls who expanded beyond music into business and influence, arguing that creative thinkers belong in positions of power. “We belong in parliament. We belong in the cabinet. We belong in the Prime Minister’s office and in the President’s office,” he said. He also addressed emerging challenges facing the creative sector, particularly artificial intelligence and intellectual property protection.“We need to protect our rights. We need to protect our work and that can only be legislated,” Barrow warned. “If we don’t get involved in the legislative process, we’re going to wake up one day and find that our rights are gone.”
Calling the human mind “the greatest thing on planet Earth,” he cautioned against over-reliance on technology, stressing that creatives must remain central to innovation. Reflecting candidly on his past, including a decade of incarceration following a 1999 nightclub shooting, Barrow described his return to Belize as a shift toward service. “By then, my dreams had already come true,” he said. “But when I looked around my country, I saw people still struggling. So I chose a life of service.”
Barrow also revealed plans to return to the stage with a world tour marking the 25th anniversary of his debut album, while reaffirming his commitment to public service. Closing his address, he challenged Caribbean leaders to diversify the profiles of those shaping legislation.“The Caribbean’s creative class has already shaped global culture,” he said. “Now we must shape policy.”
– NIGEL TELESFORD / Overtime Media.
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Grenada's Blaka Dan on the road with YUMA in Trinidad and Tobago.
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