Ebuzz News
Rikki Jai’s Homesick. Artiste’s Love for Soca Runs Deep.
No matter where they roam, and for what purpose foreign lands become their home, Trinbagonians always yearn for their island in the sun, even if it’s just for a short while. “Looking out at the scenery from a bus – scenery that is bleak and the place is just cold… at some point the average Trini gets homesick,” admits Soca and Chutney Soca artiste, Rikki Jai. He’s in Trinidad now, unleashing new soca music, and happily taking in the island breeze. One of his singles, ‘Home Sick’ gets real about the reality of migration to foreign lands.
For Rikki and others like him, who’ve set up businesses overseas and are even raising families outside of their homeland, the desire to be in the islands increases when festivals like Carnival come around. “You don’t feel the same breeze, hear the same sounds, and the food just isn’t the same outside of T&T,” says the Jai’master. He has created a brand in the music industry in the Caribbean and even in Caribbean communities overseas, that is sturdy, respected and valued. Even so, he feels compelled to consistently deliver music, remind fans of his love affair with Soca music, and build on that with younger artistes, for a legacy worthy of praise.
Even after years in the business, Rikki Jai says each season feels brand new to him. He’s excited and his desire to make people smile, dance and enjoy themselves through music, is unwavering. “When I started my career, I did not start with Bollywood of Chutney music. Soca music has been an integral part of my life for as long as I can remember,” he says, noting that while many may brand him as a Chutney Soca artiste, he entered the music business as a Soca artiste. “I’ve had songs like Pumpin, Sumintra, Bolo and Wine on A Bumcee, but because I spent many years winning the International Chutney Soca Monarch, people have probably forgotten that I am a Soca artiste.”
Now, having teamed up with songwriter extraordinaire, Jason ‘Shaft’ Bishop, Jai shares ‘Home Sick.’ The song was produced by De Red Boyz out of Barbados. It’s a top tier combination and offers a sweetness that’s reminiscent of island life, all by itself. He didn’t stop there. A second track, ‘Total Freedom,’ done collaboratively with All Starz band frontline artiste, College Boy Jesse, showcases Jai’s desire to share his style, knowledge and energy with the youths who are next in line to carry on the cultural vibe.
Ebuzz News
Squeezy Rankin’s Pivot. Artiste Goes Hard into Calypso to Change Mindsets.
From dancehall music with rough lyrical content to social commentary that aims at changing mindsets, East Trinidad native, Squeezy Rankin says he has found his true calling in Calypso music. The entertainer is on the road to the preliminary round of the Calypso Monarch Competition later this month, with a single called ‘Rat Race’ – this, one year after ‘Justice’ influenced younger audiences to take a stronger look at the Calypso genre, something that he hopes he can continue to do as his journey in music continues.
In a recent radio interview, the reigning Young King, whose real name is Anthony La Fleur, said prior to 2025, he had not done music professionally in 13 years. Jumping back into the spotlight, he said, was a bit intimidating, but the exposure last year has prepared him for 2026 and the artiste is expected to confidently claim his space in the Calypso Monarch competition this year.
As real as it gets, Squeezy Rankin- a man on the ground, has always fought for his place in the music industry locally. Now, as Calypso music embraces him even more, he says he believes he’s found his place. “I plan on releasing two songs during the year because I want to change the narrative that Calypso music is old people music,” he said, adding that his hope is that urban radio stations see the value in sharing topics of social commentary, such as ‘Justice’ and ‘Rat Race’- songs deep in meaning and valuable beyond measure, in the greater scheme of things.
Determined to change mindsets one song at a time, Squeezy Rankin says his strong suit is certainly social commentary and he will not, at any time, delve into political commentary. “I was advised by someone who is deep in politics to stay out of it and I literally listened. You know sometimes we hear people, but we aren’t listening. I thought about what he said, and it made sense. I literally listened, even though they say I don’t listen,” he said with a laugh.
‘Rat Race’ was written by Squeezy and Angelo Pantin with production by Q-Ban Production.
NEW MUSIC
Ebuzz News
Patrice Roberts: “I Love Everything I Release.”
Patrice Roberts is set to give fans a free, full LIVE show- “A Night With Patrice” complete with full band, on Thursday night. She recently spoke on the upcoming event, telling radio personalities at 961.WEFM that she’ll be giving back to fans in this way at FLAVA Village, at the Queen’s Park Savannah. Asked which of her songs are her favorite this season, she started with ‘Capital’ with Mical Teja, and followed with ‘Sweet Spot,’ but subsequently said, “I love everything I release.”
Patrice is a crowd favorite. This year, she released ‘Rock So’ – an anthem that many are singing along to. She said the song is not personal, but rather, relatable – something she appreciated when she received it.
The free event on January 22nd is described as something for all of her faithful fans. It starts at 9pm and Patrice will be backed by the A Team Band.
On Sunday, she is set to take the stage at the A Class Experience – an event hosted by the A Team Band at the Cipriani Labour College. That event will feature a number of soca stars and is expected to be a blockbuster Carnival experience for real fans of soca.
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