Caribbean Buzz
Soca & Dancehall Week Wrapped. Hoppy – “It Was The Right Time to Pay Tribute.”
Trinidad and Tobago has experienced the effects of Scorch Radio’s concept of a Soca and Dancehall week and by the looks of it, it may be the start of an annual staging. The series of events, which included several panel discussions, ended with a massive concert at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Saturday night.
Shenseea, Popcaan and several local entertainers, including Isasha and Sackie, thrilled the crowd of young partygoers on the final night, but even before that, the energy of the concept had been felt across the island. In the lead up to the weekend, Caribbean Musicon was held and focused on sharing ideas and discussing areas of concern in the promotion of Caribbean music, to global audiences. Free to enter and experience, the four day symposium featured several panel discussions and even offered students an opportunity to learn some of the career paths that are available to them in the business of entertainment.
Among those who spoke at the live panel discussions throughout the series, were globally known songwriter and singer, Angela Hunte, Soca artiste, Farmer Nappy, event promoter, Jules Sobion, National Carnival Commission CEO, Keiba Jacob Motley, cultural entrepreneur and producer, Lorraine O’Connor, UberSocaCruise publicist Jodi Covington, music producer Kasey Phillips and former Major Lazer member, DJ and Producer Jillionaire. Several members of the TriniBad genre’s advocates, inclusive of artistes and producers, along with Dime Media’s, Delicia Patterson, were also included in the mix.
Supported by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and the Arts as well as the Ministry of Sport and youth Development of Trinidad and Tobago, the cumulative event was deemed necessary by Scorch Radio boss, Kwesi Hopkinson. “We felt it was the right time to not only pay tribute to these artforms, which have shaped and colored our lives, but to also have those essential discussions about the industry and the way forward, and our respective roles and responsibilities in advancing and evolving our industry toward achieving more and more success,” he said.
On June 19th, Stink and Dutty was held at the Savannah, in the lead up to Stage Show on Saturday night. The well known event, which is a carnival staple, saw fete lovers emerge in all their glory. “This is the greatest party in the world,” said Aaron ‘Voice’ St. Louis, at the event last Wednesday. “I doh care what nobody say, this should be a staple for tourists when they visit the island. They should get a Bake and Shark, doubles, or whichever Trini food they prefer. They should visit Maracas Beach, Caroni Bird Sanctuary, but after all that… and before they leave… all fun-loving tourists should definitely attend Stink N Dutty,” he said. The Stink N Dutty event featured artistes like Angela Hunte, Mical Teja, Voice, Skinny Fabulous, Jamaica’s Jada Kingdom and Rajah Wild and T&T’s Yung Bredda Entertainment.
On Saturday night, even amid a 6.2 magnitude earthquake that shook the ground, patrons at the Stage Show took in the stageside excitement of Shenseea. She preceded Popcaan who generated tremendous fan love. The enthusiasm for dancehall music, as a Caribbean genre, was evident, particularly among the youth. On stage, Popcaan revealed that he is presently working on a new album and would be recording while in T&T.
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Caribbean Buzz
Destra Delivers Powerfully at Reflections.
“If this sharing that I’m doing touches anyone, I’m truly grateful. None of us are perfect. Some days you’ll feel good, some days you won’t, but it’s all part of the journey. Sometimes what you’re looking for is right on the horizon, and the moment you give up, you miss it. If my testimony makes anyone feel something, then my work here is done.” – DESTRA GARCIA
Trinidad and Tobago received a musical showcase of spiritual awakening yet again this past Saturday, at Destra’s ‘Reflections: Sound. Spirit. Surrender.” The event took place at Queen’s Hall, St. Ann’s and proved to be a truly inspiring and uplifting musical experience.
From the onset, the show set a standard that fans of good music with powerful lyrics, would rave about for weeks. David Rudder – a cultural icon of Calypso music out of Trinidad and Tobago, welcomed the audience as he hit the stage first delivering the very fitting, ‘High Mas.’ It was a powerful blessing no doubt – something that would lead into a seamless spiritual production. He was subsequently joined on stage by Destra, something that created a full-circle moment that drew immediate emotion from the audience.
Known for her unmistakeable vocal ability, Destra took her audience on a carefully curated musical journey, opening her set with Free Again before transitioning into slowed-down, soul-stirring renditions of some of her most beloved songs, including Love Somebody and Fly and with each performance, she revealed a different layer of her artistry, offering vulnerability, reflection, and strength.
One of the night’s most touching highlights came as Garcia shared the stage with her daughter, Xaiya, for a heartfelt duet of The Prayer. Beginning at the piano, Xaiya gently set the tone before joining her mother in song, creating an intimate moment that resonated deeply with the audience.
The production, which was creatively directed by Zara Bartels and Isoke Edwards, also showcased the incredible talent of father and son pan duo Martin and De’jean Cain as well as the Maria Regina Grade School and St. Joseph’s Convent Port- of- Spain choirs, whose vibrant and polished performances brought a refreshing, youthful energy to the stage. Gospel artiste, Nisa joined Garcia for a powerful duet of Bridge Over Troubled Water. She also performed her original composition Make Me Over, adding another layer of spiritual depth to the evening.
As the show built toward its finale, Garcia delivered a commanding rendition of Ella Andall’s Bring Down the Power, followed by classic hymns including A Little More Oil in My Lamp. This climactic segment was elevated by the presence of traditional belle dancers and African drummers, creating a rich, cultural fusion that brought the audience to its feet. Beyond the performances, the overall production, brought to life through Bridgette Wilson’s choreography and Atiba Borde’s costuming, stood out for its seamless execution, immersive ambience, and thoughtful storytelling, reinforcing Reflections as more than just a concert, but a transformative experience.
Reflections certainly delivered a powerful blend of music, filled with deep messages and meaning. In what is a very spiritual season, Destra, through the delivery of ‘Reflections,’ has carved out a space for inspiration and connection within Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural landscape – something that many would agree, is a necessity more than an option.
Caribbean Buzz
Belize’s Shyne, Talks Culture and Governance at Island Music Conference. Challenges Caribbean Leaders.
Belizean political leader and notable Hip Hop figure , The Honourable, Dr. Moses “Shyne” Barrow has identified Jamaica as a regional blueprint for how culture and governance can work together to build sustainable industry.
Delivering a keynote address entitled, ‘From Stage to State’ at the Island Music Conference (IMC) in Kingston, Jamaica last week, Barrow urged Caribbean governments to move beyond symbolic support of the arts and toward structured public–private partnerships.
“These conferences are so very important,” he told delegates, describing information exchange as critical in an evolving global music economy. Responding to a question from Overtime Media about cultural influence as an economic engine, Barrow pointed to Jamaica’s global footprint. “The work of great musicians such as Bob Marley and Shabba Ranks, as well as the development of Reggae and Dancehall music, has done more for the Jamaican tourism product than anything else,” he said.
PHOTO: Overtime Media.
According to Barrow, Jamaica exemplifies how successive political administrations, despite partisan rivalry, maintained consistent implementation policies that enabled private-sector investment in the music industry. “They were fighting each other, but giving the same implementation,” he noted, crediting that alignment for helping Jamaican music achieve unmatched global recognition.“There is no one in the world who does not know about Jamaica — its music, its food and its culture,” he noted.
Barrow framed his own political evolution as rooted in Hip Hop’s entrepreneurial DNA. Calling his transition from performer to legislator “quintessential Hip-Hop,” he cited moguls who expanded beyond music into business and influence, arguing that creative thinkers belong in positions of power. “We belong in parliament. We belong in the cabinet. We belong in the Prime Minister’s office and in the President’s office,” he said. He also addressed emerging challenges facing the creative sector, particularly artificial intelligence and intellectual property protection.“We need to protect our rights. We need to protect our work and that can only be legislated,” Barrow warned. “If we don’t get involved in the legislative process, we’re going to wake up one day and find that our rights are gone.”
Calling the human mind “the greatest thing on planet Earth,” he cautioned against over-reliance on technology, stressing that creatives must remain central to innovation. Reflecting candidly on his past, including a decade of incarceration following a 1999 nightclub shooting, Barrow described his return to Belize as a shift toward service. “By then, my dreams had already come true,” he said. “But when I looked around my country, I saw people still struggling. So I chose a life of service.”
Barrow also revealed plans to return to the stage with a world tour marking the 25th anniversary of his debut album, while reaffirming his commitment to public service. Closing his address, he challenged Caribbean leaders to diversify the profiles of those shaping legislation.“The Caribbean’s creative class has already shaped global culture,” he said. “Now we must shape policy.”
– NIGEL TELESFORD / Overtime Media.
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