Caribbean Buzz
Seafood, Soca, RnB and Reggae Combined. Tobago Is THE Place To Be This Easter as The Biggest Festival Unfolds.
Already a hub of Easter weekend excitement annually, The Tobago Festival Commission has taken a dynamic approach to delivering more to the benefit of the island’s people and those who will visit for the long weekend. “Buju Banton, Gramps Morgan and Wayne Wonder, together with other artistes of that calibre, will be the icing on the cake, on Easter Sunday. Before they bring down the curtains, we’ve aligned a slate of top tier entertainers who’ll deliver unparalleled showmanship and not to mention, music that bridges generational gaps and fills voids,” said one representative for the Festival Commission.
One month ahead of the festival, plans are underway to welcome the biggest names in reggae music to the island, with anticipation heightened among many on the ground in Tobago. “Buju Banton remains an undeniable force in music. His energy is unlike that of any other reggae entertainer and we’re very happy to be hosting him this Easter,” said the organizer.
On Thursday, April 17th, Sinach, an internationally recognized gospel singer, graces Tobago’s shores. The Nigerian singer, songwriter and worship leader became the first singer-songwriter to top the Billboard Christian Songwriter’s charts for 12 consecutive weeks. Nine studio albums to her credit, the artiste stands strongly enveloped in a catalogue of hits which include, ‘Way Maker,’ ‘He Did It Again,’ ‘This is My Season,’ and ‘I Know Who I Am.’ Together with the incomparable Tobagonian singers, Positive and Blessed Messenger, and award-winning Guyanese singer/songwriter/producer, Samuel Medas, the Easter weekend will ultimately be blessed with ‘Melodies from Heaven,’ – an invitation to all of T&T, in what is believed can be a transformative experience.
The Bucco Seafood Jazz experience adds to the appeal of the weekend thrill on Saturday, April 19th with international artistes, Jon Secada and Brian McKnight billed to perform, along with the incredibly talented, and youthfully dynamic, Mical Teja. “This weekend is about revisiting the elements of music, food and overall destination satisfaction. As a tourism product, Tobago stands strong in the Caribbean region, however, we understand the need to increase and accelerate our deliverables, as to entice global destination seekers,” explained the organizer. The Rhythm and Soul Festival is ideally a product that organizers believe is necessary for the growth of Tobago as a tourism product in the region. “For our people here on the island, it’s more than just entertainment; It’s employment, it’s independence, it’s developing something from scratch that we can be proud to produce annually.”
The island is abuzz with excitement. Last summer, Buju Banton performed at several sold-out concerts in the United States. He is billed to take reggae music to Las Vegas at Planet Hollywood for the first time ever, on June 7th. “To say that we are bringing our Caribbean brother back to the region for a spectacular performance, just before he headlines that major Las Vegas show, is heartwarming. Tobago is a destination of surprises and as we look toward the horizon in the aftermath of this festival and all that will come after that, we are prepared to stand strong with our people and make the best of what we have here,” said the spokesperson.
Tickets for the weekend-long festival are available online at www.islandetickets.com. “We’re excited about this. Ticket sales are going well and interest in the product is high. For those who haven’t already made plans to come over from Trinidad, we urge you to get the ball rolling. Time is of the essence and you won’t want to miss this weekend of fun, great music, serenity and positive energy. It’ll be a weekend like nothing you’ve experienced before,” said the organizer.
For more on the Rhythm and Soul festival, follow @tobagofestivals on Instagram and Facebook.
Caribbean Buzz
Caribbean Music Awards Adds ‘Zess-Steam Artiste of The Year’ Category.
The Caribbean Music Awards, set to take place on Thursday, August 28th, has announced its 150 nominees. Leading the nominations are Jamaican artistes, Masicka and Shenseea, who have been nominated for 7 awards each, while T&T’ Patrice Roberts and Kes have been nominated in six categories. Vybz Kartel, Nailah Blackman, Chronic Law, and Kranium each earned five nominations.
The event which will take place in Brooklyn, New York, and is being hosted for the third time this year, is presented by Caribbean Elite Group. Forty categories will see Caribbean artistes vie for awards in a ceremony that is tipped to be the most electrifying yet. Voting began on April 9th via www.caribmusicawards.com and will close off on May 31st.
This year, seven new categories have been added reflecting Caribbean artistry’s ongoing evolution and global influence. New additions include Reggae – Collaboration of the Year and Reggae Song of the Year. Also making their debut are Female – International DJ of the Year,Caribbean Fusion Song of the Year, Caribbean R&B Artist of the Year, Zess-Steam Artist of the Year, and Gospel Song of the Year. Artistes nominated in this new category are Lady Lava, Father Philis, Nelly Cottoy,
Sackie, Trinidad Killa and Yung Bredda.
“From unforgettable performances to cultural milestones, the Caribbean Music Awards honors the best of the best—from Soca, Dancehall, and Reggae to Kompa, Chutney, Gospel, and more. This celebration is not just an awards show—it’s a movement that pays tribute to the vibrant heartbeat of the Caribbean,” say organisers.
Caribbean Buzz
Jamaican Dancehall Kings, Buju Banton and Vybz Kartel Put Culture and Country First.
On Friday night in Brooklyn, New York, an extraordinary tell-tale of Caribbean influence showed boldly on the outskirts and inside the downtown Brooklyn, Barclays Centre. Jamaican dancehall king, Vybz Kartel, having survived incarceration and illness over the past 13 years, had returned to the spotlight and would be appearing on stage at Barclays – something thousands, unable to travel to the artiste’s Freedom Street return concert last December, in Jamaica, had been anticipating for months.
Adidja Palmer, famously known for his Gaza-touting refrains and suggestive lewd lyrical traps, thoroughly enjoyed by the opposite sex, had been freed of a murder conviction on account of the intervention of the London Privy Council in 2024. Upon his release from behind bars, he called on the youth to stay on the side of the law and refrain from ‘badness.’ In January, Palmer was granted his US visa. He now resides in Florida, something he confirmed last Friday, during an interview with hosts of the Breakfast Club, Charlemagne, DJ Envy and Jess Hilarious.
This past weekend, Vybz Kartel returned to his glory, single-handedly luring a massive crowd on both Friday and Saturday nights to the Barclays Centre. “Back to back, never done before – sold out, so let’s talk about this,” said female Dancehall superstar, Spice in a social media video. She too had made an impact on both nights, reveling in the spirit of camaraderie and culture.
Last year, the same venue had been sold out with double shows delivered by Reggae and Dancehall icon, Buju Banton. Like Vybz Kartel, he too had been imprisoned for many years and upon his re-entry into the United States after approximately 6 years of freedom, Buju’s desirability was unmatched. This past Friday, in what no one expected, Buju Banton would appear in support of Kartel at Barclays Centre. “This is Buju Banton doing it for the culture; supporting Vybz Kartel here in Brooklyn tonight. Let’s get it right,” he said in an online video post.
Many years before, in the early years of his emergence, Vybz Kartel had been infamously reprimanded by Buju on stage, something that many fans of Kartel had not forgotten. Fast forward more than a decade later and this simple show of support has been declared a winning move for Jamaica’s culture and the country’s brand. “Don; meh mentor,” hollered Kartel upon greeting the “Circumstances” singer. An embrace and a humble admission by Buju would lead to Kartel’s admission that Buju Banton has always been the artiste he’s looked up to. “One Buju Banton; my favourite DJ ever of all time. Him inspire me,” said Palmer.
Vybz Kartel has immensely impacted Caribbean brand awareness in present day, much like Bob Marley did over 30 years ago. Buju Banton, similarly increased caribbean brand value over the past 25 years, creating historic moments globally on stages around the world, and even winning a Grammy award for his album, ‘Before the Dawn.’
Most recently, Vybz Kartel released a new single honoring God. On stage on Friday night in Brooklyn, the artiste broke down in tears while performing the track. Fans who attended the show have since called that particular part of the event, the most impactful.
