Caribbean Buzz
Sizzla Kalonji Is Ready to Take The Stage, At Redemption 9. Promoters Conscious of Social Responsibility.
Annually, the artistes whose messages are most needed, are chosen to deliver them at Redemption- the Trinidad and Tobago concert brand that has stood firmly for positive entertainment over the past nine years. On June 1st, much will be the same, as Sizzla Kalonji headlines the concert with messages of peace, unity and positive vibrations over all else. Redemption takes place at the Queen’s Park Savannah, just in time for the long holiday weekend.
Organisers, Tropix Entertainment, Java Nation and Johnny Q Limited, have made a major commitment to presenting the people of T&T with an elevated level of entertainment, the likes of which will see Steel Pulse, Collie Buddz, Christopher Martin, SuperCat, Jamelody and Mr. King, hit the stage, alongside Kalonji.
This year’s concert follows a 2023 show, which was headlined by Buju Banton. “Reggae music is powerful and resolute in its affirmations of positivity,” said Java Nation’s Ian Pantin. The team’s unwavering effort to bring Trinidad and Tobago back to a place of peace, comes from a place of personal compassion for country. “There is no denying the fact that society’s moral compass has shifted somewhat and we see this in the news headlines daily. As partners in the entertainment business, we believe it is our social responsibility to direct our people onto a more positive path,” said Pantin.
Each year, the tone for the show is depicted in the artistes chosen. Over the years, Tarrus Riley, Anthony B, Jah Cure, Sanchez, Luciano, Glen Washington, Beres Hammond, Morgan Heritage and countless others, have brought a variation of sweet reggae music. It is anticipated that this year, the addition of Super Cat will add some momentum – the artiste well known for hit dancehall tracks like, ‘Dolly My Baby’, ‘GirlsTown,’ ‘Cry Fuh De Youth,’ ‘My Girl Josephine’ and many others.
Patrons, confident in the Redemption brand, have already expressed excitement for ‘The Way Forward,’ indicating their loyal support for the concert that has certainly stood the test of time. “We are truly pleased and humbled by the support shown to Redemption over the years- by both patrons and sponsors who we consider partners. Executing a show of this magnitude annually, is no easy or simple feat. We work dedicatedly behind the scenes, trying our best to accommodate every partner, while presenting live entertainment that is purposeful and enjoyable. It’s never easy,” said Pantin.
Together with the team, Pantin says each year, patrons’ views are taken into consideration and efforts made to return one year later, with a show that is better than previously experienced. This year, one lucky patron will be the winner of a signature, gold and ruby encrusted, Redemption pendant, worth approximately $20,000TTD.
Redemption will deliver general admission, VIP all- inclusive, and VVIP Premium all-inclusive patron experiences. On the Redemption social media platforms, patrons have been consistently updated on the ongoing Redemption Roadshow where tickets and other prizes are given away each weekend. “Thanks to our kind sponsors, we have been meeting and greeting people across Trinidad and Tobago each weekend at the Roadshow. It’s been a great experience and we’ve had a lot of winners so far. We want to thank everyone for being great sports and encourage fans of reggae music to be a part of Redemption – The Way Forward on June 1st. It’s an experience we proudly encourage people to share in,” said Pantin.
For further details, persons can follow Redemption the Concert on Facebook and Instagram or call 780-SHOW (7469).
Caribbean Buzz
Guyana’s Road March Queen, Omaiah Hall Is Ready to Take On T&T.
Guyana has Soca too.
The country’s reigning Road March Queen, 24-year-old Omaiah Hall says every Guyanese Soca artiste will admit, they have to love it, to remain true to it. The young, talented vocalist who also placed third in the Senior Soca Monarch competition last year, is in Trinidad and Tobago ahead of Carnival 2026 where she plans on making the right connections while having a bit of fun along the way.
Hall never imagined she’d fall this deeply in love with Soca music. In fact, she admits that throughout her life, her passion lied in singing RnB music. “I was never a person who sang Calypso or Soca music. My father is a pianist and jazz musician. I just never found an appeal for being on stage and wining up,” she said reflectively. In 2023 however, her outlook quickly changed.
In 2020 she had won the Junior Calypso Monarch competition in what’s called, ‘Mashramani’ in Guyana – a festival that takes place on Republic Day, February 23rd, annually. Omaiah said a couple years later, she began dabbling in Soca music and by 2023, the sound, rhythm and energy of the music had totally absorbed her. “In 2022, I realized I only wanted to do Soca music. Soca found me!” she said, explaining that by 2023 a song called, ‘We Fetting,’ followed by ‘R’ in 2024, had gotten the attention of the people of Guyana. “I was booked and busy and one year later in 2025, I won the Road March title, with ‘Breakway’ – dethroning Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts, who had been the Road March Queen for a decade.” Now, as she continues her effort to build catalogue, reputation and fanbase, Omaiah has released a 2026 track called, “Happy Feeling,’ which has been receiving tremendous love in Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, a second single, “Foreva,’ which comes complete with a new video, is her 2026 Guyana Carnival Road March contender.
Explaining that Guyana’s actual Carnival takes place in May annually, Omaiah says both festivals should be experienced by anyone desirous of a great time among carefree people. “Guyana is becoming more open to Soca now because of the younger generation’s involvement in the genre,” she admitted, noting that dancehall takes precedence, and as such, Mashramani organizers have included a Dancehall Monarch over the past three years. “Guyana is all dancehall. Many say Soca music is too happy of a genre,” she highlighted, adding that artistes like O.K.C, Pahjo and Vinel Hinds have consistently stood firm in representing the genre and popularizing it in Guyana.
TALKING CARIBBEAN COLLABS
Eager to take her vibe and energy to venues across Trinidad and Tobago and certainly the world, Omaiah is hopeful for the opportunity to collaborate with other Caribbean artistes. She performed at Nailah Blackman’s concert in January. “I’ve also done A-Team Fridays, Vice Nightclub and the Eye Slam concert series,” she highlighted, explaining that her aim is to make the necessary connections along the way. “When it comes to my music, and my performance style, I’ll say, Omaiah Hall will always bring vocals. Added to that, I’m a strong performer. I will wine up!” she said cheerfully. In fact, those very traits may have been responsible for her walking away with the 2025 title of Female Soca Artiste of the Year, in Guyana.
A huge fan of Machel Montano, and extremely encouraged by the powerful personality and stage presence of T&T’s Fay Ann Lyons, Omaiah is pushing full speed ahead, truly encouraged. “I love Fay Ann. I have been compared to her many times. She is powerful- the way she commands the stage, the way she is unapologetic about who she is,” said the young artiste. She also gives tremendous credit to the late, Dexter ‘Blaxx’ Stewart, noting that he opened doors for many young, upcoming artistes. “I haven’t been able to make that solid, professional connection with Machel just yet but I am optimistic. I’ve met him before in Guyana at the CPL and at our Super Concert backstage, but I’m hopeful for greater opportunities to work with him, in the future,” she said.
Now in T&T for the season of revelry, Omaiah says 2026 will see her hit the streets in costume, and certainly enjoying every aspect of the festival. “I was here in 2025 but after winning the Road March in Guyana, being in Trinidad was more like a time for rest last year.”
Her Road March win was a big deal, she says, noting that unlike the Monarch, the Road March is completely chosen by the people. “The title holds weight because the people want to hear the song and that was the moment when I said, it wasn’t for the judges, or me, it was for the people. The people loved it!”
Patient, yet tremendously encouraged, Omaiah Hall is steadily pursuing her career in Soca. “I’m yet to travel internationally but I will soon. My music travels more than I have and that’s actually creating room for me to travel because I have a few places to go this year,” she said.
For more on Guyana’s Omaiah Hall, follow her on Instagram @omaiahhallofficial and Facebook @iamomaiahhall.
Caribbean Buzz
Grammy Nominee, Lila Ike to Perform in Opening Number At 2026 Grammy Awards.
Jamaican singer-songwriter Lila Iké, a first-time GRAMMY® nominee for Best Reggae Album, will kick off Music’s Biggest Day to perform in the opening number of the 2026 GRAMMY Awards® Premiere Ceremony on Sunday, February 1, live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Iké will join fellow nominees Grace Potter, Israel Houghton, Maggie Rose, and Trombone Shorty in the opening ensemble performance. The ceremony will stream live at 3:30 PM ET / 12:30 PM PT on the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel and live.GRAMMY.com.
Iké is nominated for Best Reggae Album for her debut LP, Treasure Self Love (Wurl Iké Records / In.Digg.Nation Collective / Ineffable Records). She is the only woman nominated in the category, alongside an all-Jamaican slate including Vybz Kartel, Jesse Royal, Mortimer, andKeznamdi.
Executive produced by Protoje, Treasure Self Love blends reggae, soul, R&B, and dancehall while exploring themes of love, healing, and self-acceptance. The album features H.E.R. and Joey Bada$$, with “He Loves Us Both” (ft. H.E.R.) named one of The New York Times’ Best Songs of 2024.
The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY platform recently shared Lila’s journey to this Grammy nomination. Watch below. In addition to her GRAMMY recognition, Iké has appeared on COLORSxStudios, NPR Tiny Desk, Apple Music, ABC News Live and was recently announced as a 2026 MOBO Awards nominee for Best Caribbean Act—her third nomination in the category.
