Ebuzz News
Super Blue Laments The Loss of His Friend, Roy Cape.
News of the death of the illustrious, Roy Cape, has permeated the digital space. In the wake of his passing earlier this afternoon, his friend and colleague in music, Austin ‘Super Blue’ Lyons says, “this is a very sad night for me.” The artiste, likewise a legend in Trinidad and Tobago and Caribbean culture, explaining, “Every week we talk and laugh about the old times we had traveling and performing all over the world.”
Cape, fondly called ‘Papi’ in entertainment circles, was indeed a legend in Caribbean music, culture and the arts. He had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2013 and was 82 years old. He died at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex on Thursday afternoon, according to reliable sources.
Roy Cape’s life in music and the arts stemmed from his early pre-teen years in the East Dry River community. At the age of 12, having displayed behavioral problems at home, and given the choice to either be shipped to Grenada or be enrolled at the St. Dominic’s Children’s Home in Belmont, he chose the orphanage. He would subsequently choose to learn and play the Saxophone during his four year stay at the home for boys. As a musician, Cape became intimately involved in pairing several arrangers with Steelbands of the past. When asked by the publication, “When Steel Talks,” how was it that he himself had never arranged, he said, “God inspires and motivates you with a calling. I guess that in my case it was not meant to be.”
Roy Cape had been an active band musician for more than 50 years.His career highlights include touring with acclaimed artistes like The Mighty Sparrow, Lord Kitchener, The Mighty Chalkdust, Denyse Plummer, and Black Stalin. He was responsible for the formation of the Roy Cape All Stars in 1980. He was integral in the lives of many, many artistes, among them, the late, Dexter ‘Blaxx’ Stewart, Destra Garcia, Erphaan Alves, Ricardo Drue, among countless others.
In 2004, Roy Cape who later received an honorary doctorate to become Dr. Roy Cape, was bestowed the country’s Hummingbird Gold medal for his contributions in a career that spanned five decades. In his closing remarks on social media earlier, SuperBlue wrote, “May you Rest In Peace, fly with the angels above. Until we meet again.”
Caribbean Buzz
$1 Million Up for Grabs In New Ultimate Soca Champions Competition.
Trinidad and Tobago is set to stage a revamped International Soca Monarch competition in what is now dubbed The Ultimate Soca Champion competition. The event’s final will be staged on Thursday, February 20th, with the semi final round set for Sunday, February 9th. The announcement was made earlier today by organisers, at a media conference held at Queen’s Hall, Port of Spain.
The organisers said the competition will not be split into Groovy/Power categories, however they said there will be special prizes for Best Groovy Soca, Best Power Soca and People’s Champion, based on public votes.
The event will feature the Ultimate Soca Champion reality TV show which organizers say is aimed at giving viewers an intimate look into the competition. “We believe this will help our culture to reach international audiences when packaged properly,” the team said.
In-Person Auditions will take place on Saturday, January 25th, 2025 at 9:00 AM at the Fernando Academy of the Performing Arts (SAPA). Regional/ International Artistes who are not in Trinidad and Tobago, are required to submit video auditions from January 20th at 8:00am to January 26th at 11:59pm.
“We aim to make this a production that captivates
audiences worldwide,” said Rome. “The Ultimate Soca Champion Competition will not only
elevate soca to international standards but also inspire the next generation of artistes.”
For registration, submission guidelines, and updates, visit ultimatesocachampion.com from Monday January 20th, or email ultimatesocachampion@gmail.com.
Music News
Problem Child, Bunji Garlin, Skinny Fabulous Ride New ‘Powerful’ Riddim. 47 Productions Eyes Road March.
There’s another big project coming out of Dwayne Bravo’s 47 Productions in Port-of-Spain, and just like the Pineapple Riddim last month, it features some big names in Soca music.
The Viking of Soca, Bunji Garlin, Grenada’s Skinny Banton, Skinny Fabulous and Problem Child- both St. Vincent and the Grenadines entertainers, grace the ‘Powerful Riddim’- described as a heart-pounding, adrenaline-packed Power Soca riddim that’s guaranteed to light up every fete the season, even with potential for the Road March.
Bunji Garlin deliver’s ‘On De Go’ – a high-octane single that celebrates vibes and undiluted energy, while on Skinny Fabulous’ ‘Like We Rich,’ elements of a grandeur lifestyle, inclusive of living large, partying hard and embracing the high life, are showcased in song. The Vincy BadBoy, Problem Child is also a part of this project with a track called, “Not Behaving,’ undeniably living up to his name. Other artistes on the riddim are Grenadian duo, Lil Natty and Thunda who share their energy with, ‘Wah Dis,” and skinny Banton with ‘Property.” Tommy Sanchez wraps it up, adding a fresh, new vibe with his single, ‘Bend.’
The riddim is being touted as the ultimate soundtrack for the road on Carnival Monday and Tuesday and comes just as Soca megastar, Machel Montano has released, ‘Pardy,’ already getting the nod of approval from die-hard Machel fans.
While the race to the annual Road March anthem of choice in still quite a distance away, several people have already begun the conversation about what’s best for the road. Mical Teja’s ‘Energy’ and ‘Higher Power’ offer masqueraders an infectious, positive energy for the road, while Bunji’s ‘Thousand’ hits hard, delivering high impact and bassy undercurrent that’s hard to ignore.
47 Productions has been strongly contending on the music scene in Trinidad and Tobago in recent years. This year’s Pineapple Riddim, which features, Machel Montano, Lyrikal, Patrice Roberts, Rupee and 47Ronzy, has been well received, with Machel Montano applauding Bravo’s consistency, even as someone invested behind the music scene. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this Carnival season while 47 Productions continues to create space for others to rise,” Bravo had said, at the launch of the riddim in December.
The “Powerful Riddim” is now available on all major streaming platforms.
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Music News1 week agoThe Power of People. Rae Credits Motto, Darryl Gervais for Her Rise in Soca. Delivers ‘Throw Waist.’
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Caribbean Buzz5 days ago$1 Million Up for Grabs In New Ultimate Soca Champions Competition.
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Music News5 days agoProblem Child, Bunji Garlin, Skinny Fabulous Ride New ‘Powerful’ Riddim. 47 Productions Eyes Road March.
Jo Wheeler
7th September 2024 at 8:42 PM
Another heartbreaking loss for the community.