Rihanna stunned in black at the Academy Awards on Sunday
Stop the press. If the Caribbean isn’t proud, something’s definitely wrong. Rihanna represents for the people of not only her homeland, Barbados, but she reps for all Caribbean islands that have, maybe unknown to her, adopted her. On Sunday, the ‘Lift Me Up’ singer gave every little Caribbean girl, a glimmer of hope in a world that can sometimes feel harsh and unkind. Rihanna stood tall and powerful at the 95th Academy Awards, delivering a flawless performance on stage, and before that, proving that she is as warm and embracing as she is professional and talented.
The Fenty Corp owner has accumulated countless accolades, she became America’s youngest self-made female billionaire in 2022, recently performed spectacularly at the Superbowl – baby in womb, and on Sunday, March 12th, Rihanna gracefully strutted the red carpet at the Academy Awards. Prepped to show off her rising baby bump for a second time, she cheerfully engaged photographers, smiling heartily and unhesitatingly answered to their calls for varied poses. Rihanna killed it, to say the least.
Born in Barbados as the world knows, Rihanna has never shied away from her roots. In fact, she has, time and time again, shown us all, what true representation and patriotism is. For that, she was declared a National Hero in her home country, in 2021. “May you continue to shine like a diamond,” said Prime Minister Mia Mottley in presenting Rihanna with the title two years ago ; And shone bright like a diamond, she certainly has.
On stage at the Academy Awards on Sunday, Rihanna performed, ‘Lift Me Up’ the soundtrack of the ‘Black Panther : Wakanda Forever,’ Marvel movie. The song was written by fellow vocalist, Nigerian artists, Tems. The women, together with co-writers, Ludwig Goransson and Ryan Coogler, had been nominated for Best Original Song, but did not win the award. Despite that, 35-year-old Rihanna once again reminded the world that her name and worth go beyond the confines of territory and organization, this as she lifted her voice to the world looking on, whether via television, social media or otherwise. Rihanna had done what we all anticipated. She made the world stop, stare and remember that she is an undeniable force, hailing from the West Indies.
As social media excitedly pushed out photos and videos captured of the superstar entertainer who is soon to be a mother of two, the Caribbean stood watch, happy to once again witness one of its own, deliver like she always has.
Rihanna received a standing ovation from the audience following her performance.
There’s never a dull moment in Caribbean entertainment and we’ve got proof. Trinidad Killa has shared prophecy for the future and he’s calling on his fellow artistes on the music circuit to understand their worth.
The restauranteur and entertainer took a brief moment away from his TK Smokehouse duties to hop on an Instagram Livestream. In his prophesy, the TK, whose real name is Kern Joseph, said he predicts that by 2030 there will no more Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago. “You know why? Artistes underselling (day-self). Artistes calling promoters and telling dem, put meh on yh show, put meh on yuh show, put meh on yuh show,” he expressed. The often controversial entertainer alleged that because of this, promoters are not paying artistes to appear on their shows.
He went on, “Carnival become a competition. Once a man have a Road March tune, he poppin’ up in fetes and poppin’ up on shows and performing for free,” he alleged, adding that annually, promoters in Carnival pay the same major artistes for live performances.
Trinidad Killa migrated to the United States some three years ago. He has however remained consistently vocal on the events taking place in his homeland. “Allyuh see what go on with Soca Monarch. There is no more Soca Monarch,” he said, going on to positively highlight this year’s Flava Village addition. “There is so much going on in the carnival. All I would like to say is, artistes, stop under-selling allyuh self and when allyuh learn the value of allyuh artistry, and allyuh stop sell allyuh self short, that is when the industry will start to move.”
Trinidad Killa ended his livestream with the words, “music is a mission, not a competition.”
A phenomenal Carnival 2026 season in Trinidad and Tobago has paved the way for South Oropuche Trinidad’s very own, Christo, increasing his talent value and making him one of the season’s sought after acts. The young entertainer’s ‘Doux Doux Darlin’ refrain has Caribbean people everywhere, singing along, and it’s likely to remain that way, well into the Summer of 2026.
Christo appeared in Toronto, Canada this past weekend, for Return Fete, Toronto. He was not alone. Fellow entertainers, Coutain, Skinny Fabulous, Full Blown and the vibes man himself, Voice, also shook the event, which was hosted at REBELToronto.
Christo (right) with Dr. Jay (centre) and Coutain (left). 📸: @jcrzy
Produced annually by well known Soca DJ, Dr. Jay, the event is touted as the best fete post T&T carnival each year.
In the aftermath of this year’s Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago, Christo – a relatively new artiste to the soca spotlight, said the love he received this season was unmatched. He took to social media, writing, “To everyone who streamed the music, requested the songs on radio, shared the content, learned the lyrics, and sang every word back at the shows, I see you, and I appreciate you. The growth this Carnival was undeniable, and it happened because of YOU.”
The young artiste referred to Carnival 2026 as a defining chapter in his journey.
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