Caribbean Buzz
Archived: Shal Marshall Says Hot 97FM Opportunity Was Incredible. Caribbean Artistes Show Off.
Shal Marshall says his debut to New York City’s Hot97FM stage last Friday, was a tremendous success. The Trinidad and Tobago entertainer, and radio personality has had a jam-packed post carnival schedule. His Soca anthems have allowed him to widen his scope, having been able to deliver his style of Soca to thousands around the world.
We caught up with the ‘Splinters’ singer as he departed New York on Tuesday. He said the experience was fantastic. He had followed in the footsteps of Machel Montano, Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons, this time around sharing the Hot 97 Pon Da Reggae and Soca Tip stage with young chart-topper, Nailah Blackman, Grenada’s Mr. Killa and a slate of Jamaican heavyweights that included Konshens, Masicka, Elephant Man and Ding Dong. US Rapper, Lil Kim was also a part of the event.
“It was a great experience, being able to perform for a different crowd- a crowd that’s basically now being introduced to soca.” – Shal Marshall.
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Shal pointed out the adjustment by the urban radio station to include Soca, having changed the name of the event to include the Soca music genre. “A very popular Hip Hop and reggae DJ and his friends said to me that Soca was crazy this year, over dancehall,” he shared, adding, “they were like, ‘soca killed it.'” Marshall said the DJ and his friends, whose names he did not reveal, even told him that his hit single, “Splinters” was also the song of the summer. “And these are Americans who have little or no Caribbean roots,” he said.
The Hot97 Pon Da Reggae and Soca Tip took place at The Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island.
Performers included Dovey Magnum, Tifa, Masicka, Kranium, Nailah Blackman, Shal Marshall, Ding Dong, Aidonia, Konshens, & Elephant Man! Special guests included Lil Kim, LFS, Tony Matterhorn, Safaree, Sekuence, Ricky Blaze, Kemar, DyDy, Mr Commodore, Klassick fresco, and Royal G.
Check out the photos one page over….
Caribbean Buzz
Rodney ‘FireBall’ King Is On A Mission; Combining Cultures of T&T and Grenada with Soca First.
Radio in the Caribbean is big vibes. There are a number of major players in the game and among them has been the legendary, Trinidad and Tobago voice of Rodney ‘Fireball’ King. The radio mic man whose name is cemented in the history of urban radio in the Caribbean, is making some major moves and we’re here for it!
Though based in T&T, King recently revealed that beginning on Monday, April 29th, he’ll be joining Grenada’s 101.1 Soca First- a station that’s said to be one of Grenada’s most influential frequencies. With the aim of revolutionizing and delivering a fresh fusion of T&T and Grenada’s culture, music and overall entertainment vibe, King will be introducing something he calls, ‘Operation Shell Down.’
Twenty-five years of experience on his side, Rodney spearheads this initiative, which he says seeks to foster regional unity and necessary cultural exchange, on a scale that is yet to be achieved. “Through this effort, Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique will experience an infusion of diverse cultural elements, including cuisine, music, and poetry, from both Trinidad and Grenada,” he said, explaining that he feels this is an historic time because the move with strengthen each country’s potential to earn and exchange value, while enriching communities across the Caribbean.
Caribbean Buzz
Warrior King Shows T&T What Real Love Should Look Like, Leaves Lasting Impression.
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad was the scene of an epic and truly memorable concert experience on Saturday night. The One Love Experience – a concert promoted by Caribbean Love Promotions, delivered more than just good music to reggae music lovers, but also, an escape from the many societal triggers that have cluttered the minds of many for weeks, months, perhaps even years. One Love- The Experience was just that! It was a love off – an escape from the ordinary, and for a moment in time, couples held each other as they rocked away to music from some of the Caribbean’s most extraordinary entertainers.
The lineup was unconventional – none of the overly popular names, and for that reason, those who traditionally attend major reggae concert events in T&T, may have chosen to sit this one out, but little did they know they’d be missing a truly enjoyable reggae experience.
Opening acts for the evening were T&T’s reggae artistes – Isasha, Mr. King, Jamelody, King David and Black Loyalty. Never disappointing, each of the artistes treated those present to their hits, all the while, educating through music and pleading for positive redirection onward. Isasha, the last of the local acts to perform gave a mini preview of what is likely to come when he delivers his event on May 1st, in Point Fortin ahead of Borough Day celebrations this year. The artiste was warmly welcomed to the stage, the crowd eating out of his hands as he engaged them with his high impact songs, among those, the hit single, ‘Don’t You Know.’
The energy would increase with the introduction of the Jamaican artistes – this as the local entertainers made their way toward the VIP area to take in the show themselves. Walking around, Mr. King was warmly greeted by fans, stopping for photos and sharing kind words with those he met. “Yuh know I have to come and see my people,” he told Ebuzztt. It was only days before, that a song, conceptualized by the said artiste, and collaboratively sung by Isasha, King David, Ziggy Rankin, Prophet Benjamin and Mr. King himself, would go viral. The track, ‘The Call,’ has since been dubbed the new anthem, with many affirming that they too are fed up of the crime scourge that has near crippled the nation.
On stage, Jamaican entertainer, Warrior King made good of his time. Pouring his heart and soul out, the artiste laid the groundwork for what would essentially prove to be a show- stopper toward the end of his set. Songs like ‘Never Go Where Pagans Go,’ ‘Jah Is Always There’ and ‘My Life’ would lead to a love story shared live on stage. Bringing his wife to the stage, Warrior King told fans that he had married a Trinidadian woman from Gasparillo. To this, the crowd immediately cheered and the artiste would go on to share a brief, tender moment with his wife, holding her in his arms, and kissing her for all to see and appreciate. His affectionate declaration would then lead to his reassuring single, ‘Baby Girl.’
