Ebuzz News
Archived: And The REAL Big Winners of Carnival 2017 ARE…
Think you know who the real winners of Carnival 2017 are? We give you the RUNDOWN…
- Mas – Lost Tribe, Cazabon, Ronnie and Caro
The Lost Tribe bridged traditional and contemporary mas to equalize the creative energy.
Without fail, the traditional beads and feathered mas owned the streets and they were undoubtedly beautiful. But bands like Lost Tribe and Brian MacFarlane’s Cazabon, really gave spectators something to look at. Their intricate designs, colors and historic and traditional background stories brought theatre and art to the streets. The Lost Tribe sought to bridge the gap between the traditional and contemporary and MacFarlane’s ‘Cazabon: The Art of Living’ brought to life, the beauty and fragility of our national heritage and architecture. In the end, Ronnie and Caro’s ‘Fearless 10’ – an expression of the band’s 10 years of mas, would be rewarded with the Large Band of the year title.
- Orlando Octave
Orlando Octave made good of every opportunity this season.
2017 was the year Orlando Octave seized the opportunity to be heard. He made every moment count and his ability shone, like nothing else did this past season. On stage at the Ladies Night Out event, the young Rio Claro, Trinidad artiste, performed his hit ‘Single’ and added a verse that heard him speak to the men of this country, advising them to ‘take care of our women’. He would go on to perform the line at other events, making a concerted plea with all of Trinidad and Tobago, to end the senseless assault on women. Octave placed 2nd to Voice at the International Soca Monarch competition, having shown off his freestyle ability on stage at the competition, much like he’d done at major events throughout the season.
- Cooler Fetes and Breakfast Parties
In recent years, there’ve been an emergence of cooler fetes and breakfast parties plaguing the Carnival season. With a longer season than recent years, cooler fetes and/or breakfast parties were in abundance this carnival. The beauty of these fetes seemed to be the vibe, feting ’til the sun-up in some cases – water, the ease of taking your own drinks to the fete, and the comfortable dress code for fetters. Fetes like BreakfastIs, JamNation, Jam Junction, Soaka, ValeVibe, Vale Vibe Cooler, Bring It and Stumped received rave reviews by fete lovers this year.
- Usain Bolt Invades T&T Carnival
He brought the international media attention Carnival required and it seemed oh so effortless, all because the fastest man alive, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt had flown in on his private jet with friends, to have a damn good time- no holds barred. He was spotted on stage at Tribe Ignite and at ValeVibe, and international gossip media, TMZ seemed thirsty to document it all. The PUMA and Digicel endorsee would even tell fetters at Vale Vibe that he had the time of his life at the fete, even more than he had ever experienced in his native, Jamaica.
WRITER: @candiebuzz on Instagram.
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.
