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Skip Marley Represents Strong, Releases ‘Close.’

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Following his sold-out headlining tour across Europe, GRAMMY® nominated, multi-platinum artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Skip Marley returns with his latest smash single “Close.” The track comes with a visuals, directed by Gabriella Kingsley and made its broadcast premiere on BET Soul and the Paramount Times Square billboards.

Produced by Rykeyz (Jessie Reyez, Demi Lovato, Wiz Khalifa), the Marley descendent sounds as natural as ever while putting his own spin on the original hook from Maxi Priest’s dance-floor classic “Close To You,.” Skip’s effortless vocals amplify his versatility, showing his ability to transcend genres and generations with great songwriting and overall musicianship.“It’s modern, but it pays homage to Maxi Priest. I loved the idea of bringing this great song to the new generation,” said Skip, adding, “For me, there’s a bigger meaning too. The song hints that I’m back and about to begin another chapter.”

Skip Marley heeds a higher calling. Hailing from Kingston, Jamaica, he creates with clear intention. His sonic alchemy of reggae, R&B, pop, and hip-hop mirrors a core mission to unify people of all kinds at all times. Having kicked off his career in 2015, the artistes joined forces with international superstar, Katy Perry on the double-platinum smash “Chained To The Rhythm,” then took flight on 2020’s Higher Place, which garnered a GRAMMY® Award nomination in the category of “Best Reggae Album., His gold-certified single “Slow Down” [with H.E.R.] alsoreceived a nod for “Best R&B Song.  Skip made history with the latter by emerging as “the first Jamaican-born artist to vault to #1 on the Billboard Adult R&B Chart.” It soared as “the quickest and biggest-streaming song in Marley family history. 

In addition to earning nominations at the Soul Train Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and iHeart Music Awards, he has cemented himself as a dynamic force who is equally at home on a track with Rick Ross, Ari Lennox, and Seeb as he is with Damian Marley, Major Lazer, and Ayra Starr. Beyond packing houses on tour, he shined with television performances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonThe Late Late Show with James Corden, and on both Good Morning America and TODAYalongside Kacey Musgraves. In 2024, he notably contributed a powerful cover of “Exodus” to Bob Marley: One Love (Music Inspired by the Film)—which accompanied the blockbuster Bob Marley biopic One Love. Now, he kicks off his next chapter with the single “Close,” and plans to tease more music and live shows soon.

SKIP MARLEY - CLOSE (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

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Sucre Is Taking Soca to the Youths. Big Plans Afoot for 2026.

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Unmistakably, he’s next in line to claim major space in the Soca music industry and he’s already got a title to his name. Sucre is Trinidad and Tobago’s Youth Soca Champion and as the year winds down, the Zig Boi Music Group artiste, is preparing for bigger outcomes in 2026. 

Sucre holds the Soca Champions junior title.

A new song released with varied formats for consumption across demographics set to be unleashed soon, the work is being done by both the artiste and his team, to ensure success. “Even before he entered the Ultimate Soca Champions competition, Sucre had been involved in a steady development program,” explained Zig Boi Music Group CEO, Mr. Spine. Years in the music industry in Trinidad and Tobago, across the region and internationally, has afforded the music producer a vantage point that has proven extremely helpful. 

Sucre, whose full name is Nkosi Sucre, has been under Spine’s guidance for the past two years and already, the partnership has proven successful. “The development programme with Sucre saw us expose him to events, take him into the studio and engage in networking, all while working on unreleased music, during the first year,” said Spine. He explained that in his second year with Zig Boi, Sucre enrolled with the band Traffic and was exposed to band life and the sonics in a band room environment. “Traffic is a legendary band, however the aim was to engage a younger audience and the decision was made to form the Evolution Band – a youth centred band that represents the younger demographic when it comes to music and entertainment.” 

CEO of Zig Boi Music, Mr. Spine.

Spine recalls that the announcement of the Soca Champions competition was unexpected, lamenting the fact that for many youths, there had been no outlet for stage development in the Soca industry in T&T, since the International Soca Monarch competition. “It was a great place to have him test his ability and he went on to win the competition,” Spine said proudly. Sucre has since performed in St Maarten, opening for the Morgan Heritage Family, and now as he refocuses ahead of 2026, the 24-year-old says his aim is to continue to show youths that they can do it too. “Ten years ago, I made the decision to do music. I was 14-years-old and I showed evidence of having a natural talent for music. I went on to study music and I got onto the merit list at CAPE,” he said, revealing that his desire to hone his craft saw him go on to acquire a Music degree from the University of the West Indies. 

The artiste, songwriter and producer has even been credited with a Road March win in Guyana, having worked with budding, female artiste, Omaiah Hall. “I see myself finding my sound in the medium to long term. I know I’m in my developmental stage and I’m a representation of the youth and the talent that youths have to offer. Eventually I want to provide a space for other young artistes and creatives. The aim is to create a community of people and have a new generation follow a new wave of Soca,” he declared. 

The new single, ‘Gimme Wuk Darlin,’ is the second instalment to a love story started by the artiste, in 2025. The first single was called, ‘Hold on Darlin,’ and speaks to all women. When it comes to the new sound of soca music, Sucre says he believes youths must find their voice. “Times will change, perspectives on life will change. It’s a matter of finding a safe space to express yourself and just be yourself.” 

Sucre - Gimme Wuk (Darlin’) | Official Visualizer | Soca 2026

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Caribbean Buzz

Grenada’s Sabrina Francis On Her Way to T&T. Artiste Feels A Vibe With Freetown Collective.

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Undeniably authentic and superbly talented, a sister of the Caribbean region, is set to island-hop between her homeland, Grenada and over to nearby, Trinidad and Tobago, for what she promises will be a musical experience to remember. 

Sabrina Francis sings a melodic fusion of Afro-Caribbean pop, but according to the young performer, the pop is hardly noticeable. In what will be her second visit to Trinidad on September 14th, Sabrina will share her mesmerizing energy with music lovers at Kafe Blue in Port -of- Spain, and as she explained, the show is part of the foundation being laid, for eventual sonic experiences that will ultimately knock the socks off true fans of music and melody. 

In Grenada, Francis hosts mountain side shows. “I have been focused on my show, ‘Meet Me at the Mango Tree,’ which is truly a different experience. There’s a shed with a tree in the middle of it and when guests arrive, I give them headphones. They walk a red carpet, sit, and I tell them a story using sounds and songs for one hour and thirty minutes,” she explained, adding, “It’s a very special and unique experience.” 

Her execution of events like Meet Me at the Mango Tree, Sunset Sessions and The Wide-Open concert in Grenada, are preparing her for major regionwide showcases. For now, however, Sabrina says she is wetting her feet, getting to know her neighbours better and introducing them to her sound and style. “This past year has been a year of live music. I would like the next year to be a year of collaboration. I want to meet with artistes and producers when I come to Trinidad, to chat and see what the possibilities are because I believe that collaboration in the creative space is just a really great thing for building relationships and creating something new and magical.”

Excited about the release of a brand new single, set for month’s end, Francis said she will deliver the song to her audience at Kafe Blue in Trinidad. “The song is called, ‘Don’t Waste My Time,’ and we recently wrapped the video for it,” she shared, highlighting that her goal for music, as an artiste in these times is simply to deliver sustainable artistry. “With the state of the music industry globally, my goal is to make my music sustainable, so that in 15 years, I could still host a concert and the followers that I’m engaging now will want to come out and enjoy the music for the nostalgia. I want to be an original name and eventually an international name, where possible. I will push for it and do what needs to be done,” said Francis. 

Humble and grounded, the artiste who is certainly growing in popularity outside of the Caribbean region as well, said she hopes to one day collaborate with T&T’s Freetown Collective. “I opened for them at a show I did in the UK. I also went to one of their tiny spaces concerts in Trinidad and it reminded me of my Sunset Sessions that I do in Grenada. I really think we’d be aligned musically.”

Freetown Collective

Though atypical when compared to the artistes on the traditional Caribbean music circuit, and even at home in Grenada, Sabrina Francis’ sound is pronounced and undeniably rich. “The support at home has been steady and warm. People really wish me well and I feel like I’m getting more and more recognized. People are meeting and greeting me at the supermarket so I always have to dress well when I’m leaving the house now,” she laughed. 

Fellow Grenadian artistes Mr. Killa, Dash, Terror de Governor and others have also thrown tremendous support behind her, over the years. “They’re always willing to come through for their girl and I appreciate that immensely,” she said. 

Tickets for her T&T showcase on September 14th, are available online at www.sabrinafrancis.com. She says tickets will also be available at the door and she anticipates seeing music lovers come out to experience an unforgettable show. “I’ll be sharing music and magic. I can’t wait to see everyone.”

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