Caribbean Buzz
Rreecy Did Not Come to Play! Watch That Auto Body Work!
Rreecey, a New York based soca artiste, left Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday, after a week of media stops to promote brand new music that could very well catapult her into the mainstream soca market. Humble yet determined, the vibrant entertainer who teamed up with Jason ‘Shaft’ Bishop, introduced soca lovers to ‘Auto Body’ with a level of exuberance and pride that’s often hard to come by.
Rreecey is Shereece Bernard. She lives in the US, but has held her homeland, Trinidad and Tobago close to her heart since 2005, when she migrated. As the carnival excitement looms, Rreecey makes it abundantly clear that she is ready to dive into the soca market, and is excited to make her formal entry with a single written by super songwriter, Jason ‘Shaft’ Bishop.
Last week, Rreecey, accompanied by her fellow artiste, Eggy Dan, leveraged a week- long media tour, hitting a number of media houses, including Red 96.7FM, Tobago Channel 5, Wack FM, Boomchampions 94.1FM and even taking the stage at the Pavement Lime in Tobago. She says the experience was phenomenal. “I am so grateful for the chance to show off my talent- share it with my people,” she said. The budding singer even made an introductory connection with Soca heavyweight, Shurwayne Winchester- something she didn’t quite imagine would happen.
Throughout her career, Rreecey has looked up to the late Singing Sandra and soca hit makers, Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons. Her development in the music industry was guided to a great extent by Singing Sandra who she worked closely with during performances at Calypso Tents in New York. “I worked with Singing Sandra in 2014 and she showed me the ropes during that time,” explained the artiste, recalling that the Calypso matriarch would call her ‘daughter,’ much like she referred to many up-and-coming females in the local entertainment fraternity.
RREECEY
Now, armed with quite a bit of experience, having persevered in the Calypso tent arena in the US, the Belmont, Trinidad native has waded onto the soca scene. Her new single, ‘Auto Body,’ is just a taste of what she plans to consistently deliver. “The song was produced by Lunatix Productions out of Trinidad and I’m really happy about it. I decided to rely on Shaft for a new sound, new energy, different vibe to the music,” she added, explaining that other songs delivered in the past, whether collaboratively with Eggy Dan, or as a solo artiste, have been well received across the US. “We have a pretty strong support system in the US. We’ve performed at major carnival events, taking the stage alongside artistes like Patrice Roberts, Destra and Peter Ram, in different states like Philadelphia, Boston and of course, New York,” she said.
Now, with her new single unleashed, Rreecey says she can’t wait to return to T&T for Carnival. For more on Rreecey, follow her journey via Instagram @rreecey_music.
Caribbean Buzz
Terri Lyons Expands. Artiste Shows Immense Creativity on New RC Mas Monday Wear.
There’s no box to be held in. Terri Lyons is proving that as she moves into the Monday Wear market, partnering with RC Mas ahead of Carnival 2027.
The reigning Calypso Monarch Queen of Trinidad and Tobago and multiple time Queen of Queens, on Thursday, revealed her creative ability in the mas making sector, sharing her design, ‘Purple Paradise’ – a carefully created design that’s all hers.
The entertainer told Ebuzztt she had the idea and went to the masterful, Kinaji Couture, admitting that Kinaji is a force in the market. “She does a lot of bathing suits and prototypes for bands locally, regionally and further abroad. I knew she could do it and she did execute it perfectly. I just added the flowers,” said Lyons.
In 2027, RC Mas will bring Mystical Garden to life and with the band’s theme considered, Lyons’ floral embellishment makes it abundantly clear that her creativity is disciplined and mindful. She shared her process exclusively with Ebuzztt, highlighting the time taken to design with pen and paper before sharing with Kinaji who brought it all together seamlessly. “This was a lot of work. I sat and drew it all out and I stuck every flower and the diamond studs myself,” said Terri, before adding, “I ain’t doing that again,” with a laugh. The artiste said she’ll have extra hands on board to assist in future.
CHECK OUT HER PROCESS HERE
Caribbean Buzz
Kes The Band’s ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour Concludes with Sold-Out International Success.
Kes the Band has officially concluded its highly acclaimed Roots, Rock, Soca Tour, marking another groundbreaking moment in the band’s remarkable journey. The international tour captivated audiences across the United Kingdom, Europe and North America – making history as the first Soca act to sell-out stadium shows in the United States and to sell out the RBC Amphitheater in Toronto, Canada with 16,000 fans.
The tour featured sold-out shows in major music cities such as London, Vancouver, Los Angeles, New York, and its final stop in Toronto – with thousands of fans gathering night after night to experience the signature sound, musicianship, and infectious energy that have made KestheBand one of the Caribbean’s most influential live acts.
The ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour became a celebration of culture, connection, and community. Each performance in the concert series showcased the band’s ability to transcend borders and generations, bringing together audiences from diverse backgrounds through music rooted in Caribbean identity. With energetic performances spanning storied venues such as Forest Hills Stadium in New York and The Bellwether in California, Kes the Band continues to cement its place in history as an enduring, generational force that bridges rhythms, unites audiences, and elevates the heartbeat of Caribbean culture in communities across global borders.
Led by charismatic frontman Kees Dieffenthaller, the band’s world-class lineup includes Dean Jameson drums, Jon Dieffenthaller on guitar, Riad Boochoon on bass, Mario Callender and Geiron Mangon keyboards, and Robert ‘Robbie Styles’ Persaud on DJ and Ableton. Together, they delivered dynamic performances that combined exceptional musicianship with the unmistakable spirit that has become synonymous with KestheBand.
Adding to the excitement throughout the tour were a number of memorable surprise guest appearances from some of soca’s most celebrated artists, including Coutain, Lady Lava, Barbados Soca legend Edwin Yearwood, Iwer George, London’s Haile of WSTRN, Haitian singer J Perry, and Ravi B. Their appearances created unforgettable moments for fans while highlighting the camaraderie and creative excellence that continue to define Caribbean music.
The overwhelming response to the tour underscores Kes the Band’s continued evolution from a beloved Caribbean band to a truly global cultural ambassador. Across every city, audiences embraced the music, creating an atmosphere that reflected the growing international appreciation for soca and Caribbean artistry.
Photo: Jono Hirst.
As the curtain closes on the Roots, Rock, Soca Tour, Kes the Band is already focused on the next chapter. The band will soon return to the studio to begin work on new music for an upcoming album, continuing its tradition of pushing creative boundaries while staying true to the sound that has resonated with fans around the world.
The momentum also continues for Kes the Band on stage over Labor Day Weekend as the iconic group takes the stage at the DC Jazz Festival (DCJF), one of the United States’ premier music festivals, taking place September 2–6, 2026. Following the band’s debut on NPR Tiny Desk in the capital of the United States earlier this year, the band continues to expand its reach and introduce Caribbean music to new audiences on some of the world’s most respected stages.
With decades of groundbreaking music, unforgettable live performances, and an unwavering commitment to cultural excellence, Kes the Band continues to redefine what’s possible for Caribbean artists on the global stage. The success of the Roots, Rock, Soca Tour is both a celebration of an extraordinary series of performances and a defining chapter in the band’s enduring legacy, setting the stage for an exciting new era of music and global performances.