Music News
Soca Needs More Unity. New Music Released, Bitts Pushes Preservation and Evolution.
Even as she pushes for a better understanding and appreciation of Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural legacy, its traditions in mas and culture and all else, female soca artist, Lil Bitts says change is the only constant.
She unleashed new music recently and appeared on RED 96.7FM in Trinidad on Wednesday morning. Her latest release is called ‘Sweetest Mas’ and Bitts told listeners that the experience in bringing her vision of the ‘sweetest mas’ experience to the screen, via the song’s video, was a spiritual one.
She recalled dressing in blue paint to deliver the Jambolasse carnival character, telling listeners that prayer was a part of the delivery, since the character, which resembles that of a devil, would ultimately consume her, something she had never quite experienced before. “People do not understand how spiritual our Carnival really is,” she commented, explaining that after the ritual of prayer and becoming one with the character she was able to touch the fire without being burnt.
These elements of Trinidad and Tobago’s traditional carnival experience, while still seen in some quarters, have dwindled in others. This, Bitts says she wishes could be maintained and passed on to future generations. “J’ouvert long time was old clothes and characters and whatever was the current affairs issue of the time, people would play that. Carnival is so much more. It would be awesome if we could teach our kids these things,” she said. Bitts said her 7-year-old neice who was a part of her video for ‘Sweetest Mas,’ did not know half of the carnival characters displayed, so it became a teachable moment for her.
The artist who also works in theatre, explained that it’s all about finding a balance between preservation of the culture and embracing evolution. “I have nothing against ‘BBF’ – Bikini, Beads and Feathers,” she said, noting that she plays mas like everyone else in the modern carnival wear. “I understand that everything evolves, so we can’t shut down the BBF because everything evolves. Does soca sound the same way from 10-15 years ago? No. The only thing constant is change,” she reiterated.
On the issue of Soca music and the local fraternity’s desire to see international audiences gravitate even more towards it, Bitts said, “It will catch. I just feel like people just need to do them. What I think needs to happen is that we need to come together more. That’s what the African artistes are doing. It’s not just one African artist – it’s multiple, altogether and then everything became ‘Afro,’ she highlighted.
Reggae
New ‘Jamrock’ Documentary Celebrates Unforgettable Moments. Cruise Returns to Jamaica After Hurricane Melissa, This Year.
Ahead of its 11th annual voyage in November, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise shares its story through a new film. VIBE premiered All in the Same Boat, a documentary directed by acclaimed filmmaker, Reshma B and produced by Boomshots TV that traces Marley and his manager Dan Dalton’s brainchild from a bold, outsider idea into one of the most culturally significant movements in reggae and dancehall today.
With over a decade’s worth of unforgettable moments pulled from the last 10 voyages, this 30+ minute documentary captures the spirit of a global reggae community built on shared identity, resilience, and reverence for Jamaican culture. It features iconic performances, real conversations with the artistes and DJs, and the heartbeat of it all: the “Jamrockers.” These are die-hard reggae lovers from over 40 countries who pull up every year for one reason – to feel that irreplaceable connection to Jamaican culture and keep the Marley message of “One Love” alive.
Having successfully navigated challenges including extreme weather and a global pandemic, the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise continues to thrive. Its 11th staging will return for its annual voyage from November 11th to the 16th, sailing from Miami aboard Norwegian Joy.
Stacked from foundation to future, this year’s lineup brings together reggae and dancehall’s most influential voices: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Stephen Marley (Traffic Jam Set), Burning Spear, Sizzla, Capleton, Beenie Man, Protoje, Barrington Levy, Elephant Man, Junior Reid, Lila Iké, Ding Dong & the Ravers Clavers, Tony Matterhorn “Man on the Moon”, Gyptian, 450, Richie Spice, Ghost, Mr. Lexx, Professor Nuts, L.U.S.T., Sister Carol, Sevana, Flourgon, Johnny P, and Jemere Morgan are confirmed.
The cruise’s famed Sound Clash at Sea will return alongside powerhouse sound systems including Stone Love (Geefus), King Jammy, Silverhawk Sound, Rory Stone Love, Renaissance Sound, Federation Sound, Warrior Sound, Rampage Sound, Kingston12 HiFi and Souljah1 Muzik, preserving a cornerstone of Jamaican music culture in its most authentic form.
Jamrock is a Premiere Reggae Event
The Jamrock experience has evolved into the premier reggae event at sea—one that continues to redefine how the culture is celebrated on a global stage. The five-day experience continues to immerse guests in the full spectrum of Jamaican life—from Nyabinghi sunrise sessions and sound bath meditations to dancehall workshops, fitness programming, and curated culinary offerings led by acclaimed Chef Lumley. A new addition this year includes a live theatrical production by legendary playwright Oliver Samuels, adding yet another layer to the cruise’s ever-expanding cultural canvas.
Following the impact of Hurricane Melissa in 2025, the cruise will return to Jamaica with renewed purpose, maintaining its distinction as the only chartered cruise with two Jamaican port stops. That commitment translates into tangible impact, generating millions annually for the island’s tourism and cultural economy while reinforcing a direct connection between the music, the people, and the place that birthed it.
As All in the Same Boat makes clear, Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise is a movement with its own rhythm, one that continues to bring the diaspora home, while inviting the world in. Since its inception in 2014, the mission remains the same: to create a space where reggae lives, breathes, and connects us all.
The documentary made its debut during the 10th annual cruise and later screened at Art Basel in support of hurricane relief efforts led by the Marley family’s Ghetto Youths Foundation. Damian Marley and Dan Dalton were executive producers of the film.
Music News
Popcaan Teams Up with the Legendary, Junior Reid on Brand New Single.
