He cried tears, broke down like we’d never seen him, in the aftermath of a phenomenal carnival 2019 season that even resulted in a major Carnival title- the Groovy Soca Monarch crown. Marvin Davis grew up in the Sea Lots community. He’s the perfect example of rags to riches. Swappi’s also testimony that anyone who believes, can achieve. In the aftermath of Carnival 2019, Swappi quietly reflected in a chat with Ebuzztt, tearing up over the fact that he had almost given up.

“I’m kind of emotional right now, because I actually didn’t see this coming,” he said to us. He had been at home, laid back, after securing the win on Fantastic Friday. Swappi could not contain his emotions. He admitted that he’d been extremely frustrated prior to 2019. “I’m laying here and thinking of how frustrating and confusing it was for me last year and the year before that and the year before that. I remember going to the grocery and picking up stuff, putting it in my trolley, and getting to the cash register and having to put it all back because all I had was $20,” he said with a level of humility and sadness that could not be faked. Swappi sighed emotionally at the memory, adding, “It was really challenging, very challenging to know that this is all that I do, music…. I just want to thank all the DJs, promoters, program directors, everyone, for giving me a second chance,” he said. He expressed gratitude to all who had played a part this past Carnival season, in essentially allowing him to see the light at the end of a very dark tunnel.

Buju Banton is back in full force. On Saturday, March 16th, the Jamaican reggae and dancehall entertainer proved that he’s still the artiste many love and respect, this even after some 8 years off the performance circuit. The Long Walk to Freedom concert held at the Jamaica National Stadium, saw a massive crowd of fans assemble for a night many will remember for the rest of their lives.

Die hard reggae and dancehall lovers, many of them with Jamaican ancestry, had flown in from Miami, New York and Canada, and parts across the Caribbean. The concert was certainly one many felt they couldn’t miss, it being Buju’s first appearance on stage, post release from a US Federal prison in December 2018. He did not disappoint. Just one day prior to the concert, an online firestorm erupted, involving his son Markus. The young music producer had uttered uncanny words, calling on US president, Donald Trump to take his father back to prison, but amid the social media blitz of negative slander, Gargamel stood unfazed and presented himself like the Lion many know he is, on stage at the stadium. Reports surfaced that Buju was in fact questioned by police, just prior to hitting the stage on Saturday night. Ebuzztt could not confirm the report.

The concert brought to the fore, a number of well renowned crowd pleasers, among them, Cocoa Tea, Singing Melody and LUST, Ghost, new reggae sensation, Koffee, Wayne Wonder, Beres Hammond- both of whom performed their hit collaborations with Buju, Romain Virgo, Chronixx, Gramps Morgan and others. The crowd received a show of epic proportions, to say the least, and just when they thought it could get no better, the Lion of Dancehall, roared.