Ebuzz News
Seven Songs. One Big Artiste. Grenada’s Spice Mas Better Be Ready for Skinny Banton.
Spice Mas, like every other carnival, is seasonal, but for Carriacou, Grenada artiste, Skinny Banton, music isn’t. He has unleashed seven songs in 2026, and like clockwork he’s locked in and ready to deliver his energy, good vibes and storytelling strengths to audiences celebrating another memorable Spice Mas experience this year.
For Skinny Banton, whose real name is Shirlan George, Grenada’s Jab culture is fuel to his fire. In the past, songs like ‘Soak It Good’ and ‘Wrong Again,’ brought him tremendous acclaim across the region and internationally. This season, The Jambalasse project is anticipated to be one of the artiste’s most powerful contributions, signaling his intentionality to promote his country’s authentic culture, wherever he goes. “With this project we’re trying to keep the history, while celebrating the present by revamping a song that was done by Moss International 35 years ago,” he said. That song was called ‘Jambalasse Rule,’ released in 1991. “We revamped the riddim because it was one of the first songs considered to be an original Jab Jab song from Grenada, at that time,” he explained.
Proud of his personal efforts to keep the awareness on Grenada’s cultural traditions, Skinny Banton advocates for the continued celebration of these traditions and understands his role as an artiste. “No matter what we face as artistes in this space, we stay true to our mission. I have several songs that the people will enjoy in Spice Mas and beyond. One of my personal favourites is ‘Pain,’ a song I would like to share with my fans in Trinidad and Tobago when Carnival 2027 comes around,” he said.
Strengthening Others
Other tracks released by Skinny include, ‘When Yuh Eating,’ ‘Right Up,’ ‘Black Fuh Juvay,’ ‘Can’t Stop Us,’ ‘Carnival Traffic’ featuring Jamaican artiste, I Octane, ‘My Behaviour,’ featuring Tonic X and ‘Water Line Burst,’ collaboratively done with Nicki Akull. “The collaborations done with Tonic X and Nicki Akull mean a lot to me. They are upcoming artistes who I share good vibes with. When I was younger and had hopes of connecting and collaborating with bigger artistes, it was not easy,” he recalled, adding that it often felt daunting. He says because he understands the feeling, he is happy to be able to help these up-and-coming entertainers. “This was just my way of giving them strength and encouragement. I feel like nobody takes you seriously when you don’t have a foot in the door – they refuse to embrace you because you are not known. I want them to keep pushing after this,” he added.
Dedicated and refocused, Skinny Banton is pushing full speed ahead. “I’m doing music videos for most of the songs. I already have a video for ‘Black Fuh Juvay,’ which has been uploaded to YouTube and all other streaming platforms, and the video for ‘My Behaviour’ with Tonic X is also out,” he said. Grateful to Jamaican artiste, IOctane for the strength given to him on their collaboration on the single, ‘Carnival Traffic,’ Skinny said this particular song is one that he loves, and he hopes the people will, as well.
For the past three years, the artiste had been approached by upcoming entertainer, Nicki Akull for the single they eventually brought forward this year. “Waterline Buss – Nicki Akull’s persistence and determination really brought this song into existence,” he said, happy to have eventually come around to making it happen. Even with such a vast number of singles released, Skinny Banton says he is ready to work with artistes across the Diaspora. “I’m still creating, still working and I’m looking forward to establishing more ground in the Soca community and around the world.”
Social Media, Music and Trends.
Certainly attuned to the necessary promotional adjustments that many artistes have been forced to adopt, Skinny Banton says he hopes that despite the rise in social media content distribution, true talent and good music is not sacrificed. “I feel like content creation online should not take away from artistes creating and delivering great music, because without the content, the music should still stand on its own, and with the content, the people still need the music,” he shared. “I also feel like a lot of trends are created from making yourself an online spectacle and not the music being able to sustain itself, so you may get attention for what you post as content, but the music you’re posting the content for sometimes does not have enough substance to sustain itself for longevity,” he rationalized.
Thoughtful, conscious and truly talented, Skinny Banton is a necessary part of the Caribbean’s creative landscape. His storytelling ability, coupled with his appreciation for the art and vocal capacity, makes him an artiste everyone should tap in to. “I want to encourage the young artistes to stay focused and keep pushing and never be discouraged by the many things that’s said on social media. They must work hard to establish their business to suit them, because every artiste will do things differently, when it comes to the business; Never be discouraged by the naysayers,” he advised. He thanked his fans for their love and support over the years. “People who’ve been supporting from day one and continue to support, as well as the new supporters I’ve gotten along the way – thank you. To the DJs and radio personalities, I appreciate you. One hand doesn’t clap. Thank you for keeping my songs on rotation and I hope you all continue to support me.”
Caribbean Buzz
Trinidad and Tobago, First to Host Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience, This September.
After three celebrated years at Brooklyn’s historic Kings Theatre, the Caribbean Music Awards (CMA) expands beyond the awards stage with the launch of the inaugural Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience, a destination celebration taking place September 18-20, 2026, in Trinidad & Tobago.
This year’s celebration unfolds under the theme, Sounds of the Caribbean, honoring the rhythms, voices, and cultural traditions that have shaped generations and continue to influence music around the world.
Photo Credit: Nikita Small
The Fourth Annual Caribbean Music Awards will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain, marking a milestone moment as the celebration expands into the Caribbean region for the first time.
The Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience will transform CMA from a single-night awards ceremony into a multi-day celebration bringing together artists, fans, industry professionals, creators, tastemakers, media, and cultural leaders from across the Caribbean and around the world.
What’s In Store
The Elite Weekend Experience will feature a series of events celebrating music, culture, and community throughout the destination. Festivities will include an exclusive Welcome Reception, pre-show experiences, the Fourth Annual Caribbean Music Awards, the official after-party, a special steelpan concert presented by Stars and Steel, and additional programming designed to celebrate Trinidad & Tobago’s cultural influence. Additional programming, partnerships, performers, presenters, and special announcements will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
The move to Trinidad & Tobago marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Caribbean Music Awards, while honoring the city where it all began. New York was the ideal birthplace for the Awards, home to one of the world’s largest and most influential Caribbean diaspora communities. It was there that the Caribbean Music Awards established its identity, built its audience, and proved there was a global appetite for a world-class celebration dedicated solely to Caribbean music and culture.
Photo Credit: Nikita Small
Over the past three years, Brooklyn’s iconic Kings Theatre became more than just the home of the Caribbean Music Awards. It became the launchpad for a movement that united artists, industry leaders, fans, and cultures from across the Caribbean and beyond, under one roof. The energy, ambition, entrepreneurial spirit, and relentless hustle that define New York City helped shape the DNA of the Caribbean Music Awards, and that spirit will remain embedded in the brand no matter where it travels.
Now, with a strong foundation established, the Caribbean Music Awards begins the next phase of its evolution by bringing the celebration directly to the Caribbean. As the inaugural host destination for the Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience, Trinidad & Tobago sets the stage for a long-term vision that will see the Awards partner with tourism boards and host destinations to spotlight a different Caribbean nation in future years. By rotating throughout the region, the Caribbean Music Awards aims to celebrate each destination’s unique culture, support tourism, create economic impact, and further strengthen the Caribbean’s creative economy while continuing to unite the global diaspora through music.
Majah Hype Returns, This Time With Nailah.
Bringing even more excitement to this year’s celebration, internationally celebrated Caribbean artiste, Nailah Blackman and acclaimed comedian, entertainer, and cultural personality Majah Hype will host the Fourth Annual Caribbean Music Awards, bringing their unique energy, charisma, and deep connection to Caribbean culture to the stage.
Photo Credit: Nikita Small
For Majah Hype, the 2026 ceremony marks his fourth consecutive year hosting the Caribbean Music Awards, making him one of the longest-standing personalities connected to the celebration. Having witnessed the Awards grow from its early years at Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre into a global platform for Caribbean excellence, Majah continues to bring the humor, passion, and cultural pride that have made him one of the Caribbean diaspora’s most beloved entertainers.
“Four years hosting the Caribbean Music Awards? Mi feel like dem haffi give me my own seat at this point!” said Majah Hype. “But seriously, being part of this journey from day one has been a blessing. I’ve watched this celebration grow, seen the incredible talent come through, and witnessed how much this moment means to our people. To see it expand from Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre to Trinidad & Tobago is something special. Caribbean culture is powerful, the talent is endless, and mi ready fi celebrate everybody who continues to carry our music and our culture to the world.”
For Nailah Blackman, this year’s ceremony represents a new chapter in her relationship with the Caribbean Music Awards. Having experienced the event as an attendee, performer, nominee, and winner, Nailah now steps into the role of host while continuing to be recognized as one of the leading voices in Caribbean music.
Photo Credit: Nikita Small
“The Caribbean Music Awards has been a special part of my journey,” said Nailah Blackman. “I’ve experienced this celebration as a fan, as a performer, as a nominee, and as a winner, and now being able to step into the role of host is truly an honor. To do it in Trinidad, surrounded by our people and our culture, makes this moment even more meaningful. I’m excited to celebrate the incredible artists who continue to push Caribbean music forward.”
Since launching in 2023, the Caribbean Music Awards has grown into one of the premier platforms celebrating Caribbean musical excellence, honoring artists across Dancehall, Reggae, Soca, Konpa, Chutney Soca, Zess, Dennery, Gospel, and emerging Caribbean genres. Last year’s ceremony marked a historic milestone with its BET broadcast debut, further expanding the Awards’ reach and strengthening its position as a leading global celebration of Caribbean music.
Following the announcement of more than 250 nominees across more than 40 categories earlier this year, anticipation continues to build toward what promises to be one of the biggest Caribbean Music Awards celebrations yet. This September, the Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience will bring together the sounds, stories, and cultures that have defined generations of Caribbean creativity, inviting audiences from around the world to experience this year’s theme, Sounds of the Caribbean, from the heart of one of the region’s most influential cultural destinations.
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.
