Ebuzz News
Archived: New Soca Music Wanted for NottingHill Carnival
Soca artistes are being encouraged to deliver new soca for Nottinghill carnival. IN SET: Lyrikal
There’s a carnival everywhere you turn and with that, soca artistes are now being encouraged to deliver more music. A team of soca music enthusiasts, led by New York based, Georeg Luke and Frontline Radio UK’s, Cleon Lord are behind the effort to get the Caribbean’s soca stars to produce more. T&T’s Precision Production has thrown its support behind the effort saying, “ The UK is a burgeoning market, especially with the increase in the number of carnivals across Europe and the interest shown for soca music by the people there, the market is one we look forward to continue exploring.”
Nottinghill Carnival takes place on August 24th and 25th. Quite a few ‘firsts’ are expected to be established this year, chief among them, a massive collaborative effort by Soca Is Yours and UK based, Frontline Radio UK- a prominent brand on the international Caribbean radio circuit. According to Soca Is Yours’ George Luke, the partnership will see all new soca music being filtered into the market during the promotion of Notting Hill Carnival. “What we’re pushing for is a thrust for artistes and producers to deliver all new music, much like they do for Barbados’ Crop Over, for Notting Hill carnival,” said Luke, adding, “riddims created by the best producers on the Caribbean soca market and featuring a lot of the top billing soca acts, will be released during this particular carnival. We feel this is something that will encourage the artistes themselves, to create more music and fill the market with the sweet sound of soca,” Luke said.
Soca Is Yours Founder, George Luke has collaborated with Cleon Lord of Frontline Radio to encourage the initiative.
Additionally, Brooklyn, New York based production house, Imperial Lyon Roar Productions has taken on the challenge, already delivering one song on their Swanky Riddim- that single, ‘Drink Ah Juice’ sung by St. Vincent’s reigning Ragga Soca Queen Fya Empress. Production work can also be expected from Play Evolution out of Barbados, Miami’s Irontraxx and Advokit who produced 5 Star Akil’s hit single, ‘To Meh Heart’ in 2014. “What we’re doing is giving Notting Hill carnival its very own music, much like it’s done in T&T and Barbados,” said Luke.
Frontline Radio’s Cleon Lord, known for his involvement in the organization of events and carnivals in various cities, is happy that this initiative will aid the careers of many undiscovered soca artistes. He said artistes will benefit tremendously from the partnership. A DJ turned production company owner and artiste manager, the radio station boss understands the rigors of earning a space among the popular faces.
The entities are hoping that the rest of the Caribbean will throw support behind them. “We need strength in numbers and only then will we see our Caribbean culture receiving the true acknowledgement it deserves. We’re only two teams. We want the whole Caribbean army behind us every step of the way,” said Luke.
Ebuzz News
100 Days To T&T Carnival – Big Launch, Big Vibes to Hit Port of Spain, this Friday.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Greatest Show on Earth has, for years, been a tourist attraction. With 100 days to go before the two-day street parade in Port-of-Spain, the excitement is steadily building and with momentum, the National Carnival Commission is moving full speed ahead.
Carnival 2026 will be publicly launched at the Brian Lara Promenade on Friday, November 7th. The NCC, in a media release said the spectacle will begin at 9am and go through the day, transforming the city’s hub into an active thoroughfare featuring all things T&T carnival. Th event will feature traditional Carnival characters, informative workshops and exhibitions, a mini concert from reigning Panorama champions, Republic Bank Exodus Steel Orchestra, and much more. “In bringing Carnival to the city, we’re hoping to bring people to the city to come out and show their support for the culture, for the NCC, the Special Interest Groups, the vendors and small business community, and the Regional Carnivals because we’re all part of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival,” said NCC Chairman, Peter Kanhai.
TEACHING THE YOUTH ABOUT CARNIVAL
This year, the NCC will introduce something they’re calling, “The Children’s Zone,” where school children and their parents and guardians will be able to experience a distinct youth-oriented energy to Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival. The zone will feature cultural exhibitions, displays, giveaways and more, even offering youths the opportunity to pen a ‘Love Letter to Carnival.’ “School children would be invited to write what it is they love about Trinidad and Tobago Carnival for a mural that will be displayed at the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah for Carnival next year,” the press release explained.
At 4pm, a concert will engage the public with performances by Swappi, Terri Lyons, Orlando Octave, Ravi B, Drupatee, Shal Marshall, Erphaan Alves and other featured cultural acts.
Back in August, at the corporate launch of Carnival, Minister of Culture, the Arts and Community Development, Michelle Benjamin, shared her ministry’s vision for carnival.
Ebuzz News
Bob Marley Foundation to Jamaica: “We’ll Rise Again.”
What has been described by the National Hurricane Centre as the most catastrophic hurricane of 2026 – Hurricane Melissa, has moved past Jamaica and now moves onward to Cuba and neighboring territories. In the aftermath of the brutal natural disaster, videos across social media show fallen trees, massive swells, invasive water courses through streets and byways and certainly, infrastructural wreckage. The people of Jamaica, though resilient, are in need of strength and aid to rebuild.
The Bob Marley Foundation and the Bob Marley Museum, in a social media post said despite having gone through the hurricane, “we’re still standing.” The honorary organizations that stand in memory of Jamaica’s most loved icon, Bob Marley, relayed via social media, “The winds may have shaken us, but they could never break our spirit.” Noting that the journey to rebuild will not be an overnight one, the post read, “but together, we’ll rise again- stronger, more united and full of love.”
Consistent in the Marley legacy’s tone and posture of love and unity, the expression continued, “We can’t wait to spread the message of peace and love with you once more and help in whatever way we can. Until then, hold on to hope and remember – every little thing is gonna be alright.”
The government of Jamaica has created an official digital platform for information, and for the global community’s input where relief and assistance is concerned.
Visit https://supportjamaica.gov.jm. The website lists a preliminary needs list, which includes items such as batteries, bedding foam, flashlights, lanterns, mattresses, pillowcases, pillows, mobile storage units, heavy duty garbage bags and certainly much more.
