The year 2015 is now a memory but for songwriter Jason ‘Shaft’ Bishop, it was the year he became truly popular in the Caribbean. In T&T, he dominated the Soca Monarch competition with songs like Destra Garcia’s ‘Lucy’, Nikki Crosby’s ‘Granny’ and Chucky’s ‘Doh Take It On”. It was an historic carnival season for the songwriter who became one to watch by many in the soca industry.
Jason Shaft Bishop, spotted at Soca In Moka is gearing up for a phenomenal year.
Shaft says 2016 will see even greater strides. His achievements at Barbados’ Cropover, which included providing Peter Ram with the right song to take home the Road March title and delivering a song to Imani and Biggie Irie that would eventually be used by the Barbados government in a campaign, have propelled Bishop to reach for even more. “My plan is to really spread to more places in Barbados so that more people become familiar with me and what I do,” he told ETCETERABUZZ.
Toward the end of 2015, Jason was invited by the Barbados government to host a workshop for songwriters on the island. He gladly accepted and now, that having been a tremendous success, he’s looking forward to expanding the idea to other islands and certainly at home in T&T. St. Lucia’s government has already contacted him and with that, he’s making amendments to his presentation to be able to deliver even more to the people who he will impart his knowledge on.
Shaft was responsible for Lyrikal’s ‘Loner’ in 2015 and now ‘Dip and Roll’ – a favorite in 2016.
This carnival, Shaft has a number of popular songs to his credit. Lyrikal’s ‘Dip and Roll’, Destra’s ‘Stranded’, Jaiga’s ‘Anyway’, Lil Bits’ ‘Work’, Rikki Jai’s, ‘Leh We Fete’, Machel Montano’s ‘Carnival Groupie’ and SkinnyFabulous’ ‘Born For This’ are all Shaft Vibes written work. He’s excited that most of his songs are being enjoyed by the people but says he’s got no major expectations this season. “It’s all in God’s hands. He is the boss and He will decide just how things should happen,” said Bishop.
An upliftment achievement award out of Barbados, to his name, Jason Shaft Bishop says his aim is to remain relevant in 2016. “I hope to be a good example to upcoming writers. I’ve gained the respect of many of them and I’m happy about that. I hope to continue giving them what’s essential to keep that respect high,” he said.
Bishop has written another single for Montano which is yet to be released.
Currently preparing for another Machel Montano release, Jason told ETCETERABUZZ the population an expect a monster. This year, there are also plans afoot to see Jason Shaft Bishop enter the international music market. Not wanting to give away too much just yet, he told us he’s making connections to deliver some R&B songs to major artistes overseas.
For more on Jason Shaft Bishop, follow JasonShaftBishop on all major social media platforms.
It’s a brand new concept being brought to life, in Point Fortin, however its impact, according to organizers, is already proving immense. The annual Point Fortin Borough celebrations, culminates this weekend and on Sunday, an event with a bigger purpose at heart, is anticipated to draw a massive crowd to fete, for the greater good.
Naya George
Naya George and Anson George spoke exclusively with Ebuzztt.com ahead of the all inclusive experience. They’re excited to see their vision come to life. Anson, a well known name on the carnival and entertainment circuit, is known for his strong involvement in the BeachHouse Carnival brand. “It’s going to be on par with BeachHouse,” he assured, asserting ‘Flowers’ as the new ‘must attend’ fete in Borough Day festivities. “There are other events happening on Sunday in Point Fortin but there’s no other event of this caliber, happening,” said Anson, explaining that a few tickets are still available for those who still want to get in.
For Naya, the effort is less about business, and more about purpose. “We are partying with a purpose. We want to let people know that this isn’t just about feting. This is the only party that’s happening in Point Fortin that’s giving back to Point Fortin,” he explained, adding that proceeds will go toward investment in the young people. “The first set of projects will be at the Point Fortin West Secondary School where the event is being held. We are going to revitalize the sports programme, playing field restoration, sporting equipment and that kind of stuff, to ensure the youths have a place to find themselves in the area of sports. Flowers is the premiere fund raiser to do these things,” said George.
Set to welcome fete lovers from 5pm on Sunday at the Point Fortin West Secondary School, Flowers will feature a cast of talented artistes, inclusive of Nadia Batson and Lyrikal. “We want to raise fund in style and with high quality at heart, hence the reason the event’s caliber is high. This is going to be a first for Point Fortin,” said Naya George.
Anson George
The Point Fortin Borough experience is widely attended, with a series of cultural events leading up to the weekend of excitement that is anticipated by locals and visitors alike, each year. “Flowers has set the tone for the Borough Day evolution I think,” said Naya George. “Fusion came to an end last night,” noted Anson. He said the cultural extravaganza, which was similar to Carnival’s Flava Village, was a huge success and noted the wide variety of cultural traditions, shared between April 25th and April 30th. “If people can jump on a plane to experience Grenada carnival, we are certain they can come from West and North Trinidad to enjoy the Point Fortin Borough activities,” said Anson, making it clear that ahead of the upcoming weekend, hotel and guest house occupancy is already high.
“Borough is like a second carnival,” said Anson. He said there are fetes happening throughout the day on Friday. “When you come, you get a taste of everything you get in carnival. You get the fetes, the all inclusive, the jouvert, the street food, the culture,” he highlighted, and this year, for the very first time, fans of culture, creativity and altruism, will fete with purpose at Flowers – a distinct, top tier, premium all inclusive experience in the heart of the borough.
Tickets for the event are available online at Stacy’s House Of Hair – Point Fortin, Atherley’s By The Park – San Fernando, Terminal 4 – Long Circular Mall and online at theticketgeneral.com.
A Caribbean tour that started in Trinidad on Saturday and has continued in Grenada, this afternoon, has intrigued GenZ and GenAlphan fans across the Caribbean and internationally, all thanks to digital influencer, IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr.
The 21-year-old Cincinnati, Ohio native who has racked up over 53 million YouTube subscribers touched down in Trinidad on Saturday, much to the excitement of local gaming and streaming fanatics, many of whom are teens and pre-teens.
Accompanied by several Trinidad and Tobago influencers and chaperoned by Machel Montano’s manager, Che Kothari, the vibrant young streamer was shown various parts of Port- of- Spain, Trinidad, and introduced to aspects of the culture often experienced by visitors to T&T, particularly at Carnival time.
From Saheena, to Roti, Bake and Shark and Doubles, IShowSpeed tried several Trinbagonian dishes and even some of the snacks manufactured locally. He was exposed to Carnival culture and traditional carnival characters and further to that, Trinidad and Tobago artistes like Lady Lava, Nessa Preppy and Jimmy October shared in the thrill of his visit. Many young, eager Trinbaonians, inclusive of parents who are familiar with the young influencer, engaged happily with Watkins Jr. throughout Saturday’s trip, all as he streamed the fun, live. Running through the streets as he moved through places like Tragarete Road and Charlotte Street in downtown Port-of-Spain, he was visibly excited to experience the country known especially for the Greatest Caribbean Carnival, the world over.
The trip, though quick, was streamed to some 7 millions online viewers and while some found it difficult to relate to the new wave of digital marketing and influencer branding potential for the small, twin island, others have since been marveling at the fact that this 21-year-old has managed to gift Trinidad and Tobago more publicity in mere hours, than that which Caribbean celebrities have been able to attain, over years in cultural ambassadorship.
Now, he turns his energy to Grenada. He was welcomed to the island by Grenadian cultural ambassador, Mr. Killa on Sunday, and Grenada’s signature Jab is expected to be on full display as the opportunity to reach millions around the world, now presents itself. The tour will continue to other Caribbean tourist destinations, inclusive of Antigua and Barbuda, St. Lucia, Bahamas, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts and Nevis, Sint Maarten, Dominica, The Dominican Republic and Jamaica.
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