Caribbean Buzz
Archived: Tarrus Hops The Soca Train Again. Jamaican Crooner Says “I Have A Special Love For Trinidad.”
Jamaica reggae sensation, Tarrus Riley is making big headlines in Trinidad and Tobago today, this after releasing his second major Soca release in a festival that’s known world over as the Greatest Show on Earth!
One year after making musical magic alongside Machel Montano, with a track called, “Memory”, Jamaican reggae hit maker, Tarrus Riley is back in T&T again, having recorded another Soca influenced single called, “Who Am I To You.” The track, which was written by Trinidad and Tobago’s Dale Ryan and Emmanuel Rudder, and produced by Cherrod Lewis out of Anguilla, is a fusion of pop and Soca beats- a unique blend that has once again proven to music fans world over that there is still so much to be done with Caribbean music.
Tarrus Rileys says one word that describes Soca is “lively”.
Riley, chatting with EBUZZTT this morning, just after the single had dropped in Trinidad, said he really loves the vibes in Trinidad and Tobago. “I really have a special love for Trinidad. It comes like home,” he admitted after reminiscing on his appearance on stage at Machel Montano’s Machel Monday concert event in 2016. Riley said he had no idea what to expect then, especially since he only had that one Soca track to his credit. “Machel Monday was an experience. Me nah wah cuss no bad word but wooooyooooy,” he said with a laugh. “I love the whole unity of the concert. People from Africa, people from all over were there. Meh never really know wha fi expect,” he said. At the end of it all however, Riley said his performance at Machel Monday, which included his performance of his reggae ballads, was a truly memorable one.
Even with a passionate embrace for Trinidad and Tobago’s culture, the Soca art form and the people, the Caribbean musician admitted that the crime scourge is clear and present, much like at home in Jamaica. He said sadly, crime is everywhere. “It have some people who don’t have nothing to do and dem just wah cause problems so we cyah even talk to dem, we cyah fight with dem because dem like fi fight,” he expressed in his native Yardy dialect.” Tarrus said when you’re unable to change the minds and hearts of such people, the only thing you could do is try to lead by example and avoid any kind of participation in any kind of negative behavior.
Riley says people need to listen to the voice that speaks to them.
With crime a hot topic in the Caribbean, the entertainer who has delivered songs like, “She’s Royal”, “Contagious” and “Parables” among countless other hits, says he’s a part of a movement called Crime Free Christmas, which seeks to encourage people to do good and avoid criminal activity going into the New Year. The campaign, which was launched in Jamaica, has gotten social media support with photos of #CrimeFreeChristmas being endorsed by the people of that island. Riley however told EBUZZTT that he’s taken it a step further by creating a song that encourages same. He called on mankind to listen to the voice within them, a voice he says can be heard by every person. “If you wah advice, listen to the voice inside of you. When you’re sitting quiet, when you’re away from noise, there’s a voice that talks to you. If you listen to that voice, it can talk to you stronger than me and more sincere than me,” he said, as he urged people to strive to be better human beings.
On the new Soca release, Riley says he hopes to return to T&T for carnival but admitted to having overseas bookings for the period. He excitedly sang the new tune when he made the media rounds on the island, expressing nothing but good vibes for a genre that he said he has now come to truly love.
NEW MUSIC
Caribbean Buzz
Charly Black, Kevin Lyttle Release ‘Summer Banger’ Produced by Global Hitmaker, Walshy Fire.
Two of the Caribbean’s most legendary hitmakers have joined forces for what is shaping up to be one of the Caribbean’s biggest records of the year.
Dancehall superstar Charly Black, whose global smash “Gyal You A Party Animal” has amassed more than one billion streams worldwide, joins forces with St. Vincent Soca hit maker, Kevin Lyttle, whose timeless international hit “Turn Me On” has generated hundreds of millions of streams. That single remains one of the most recognizable Caribbean songs ever recorded.
The single, “Island Ting,” unites the music of Jamaica and St. Vincent & The Grenadines, celebrating the beauty, confidence, and irresistible energy of island women. More than just a song, “Island Ting” is a celebration of the Caribbean, its vibrant diaspora, and everyone around the world who embraces the region’s unmatched culture, music, and love of celebration.
Blending irresistible Dancehall and Soca influences with an unmistakable tropical vibe, the record is poised to become the soundtrack of the summer, says a media release issued.
Produced by well known international producer, Walshy Fire, with the instrumental crafted by acclaimed producer Jason Julian, “Island Ting” is already making waves across the streaming landscape. The single has secured significant editorial playlist support from Apple Music and Spotify, with Spotify further backing the release through premium placement on its coveted Mobile Home Banner – one of the platform’s most prominent promotional spaces for new music.
Industry insiders are already tipping “Island Ting” as one of the Caribbean’s defining songs of the summer, with momentum expected to carry through Notting Hill Carnival, into Trinidad Carnival 2027, and beyond. From beach parties and festivals to clubs, radio, and playlists around the world, the record has all the ingredients of a timeless Caribbean anthem.
“Island Ting” is available now on all major streaming and digital platforms.
Caribbean Buzz
The Bar Is Being Set. Flowers All Inclusive to Up The Game in Point Fortin, This Weekend.
It’s a brand new concept being brought to life, in Point Fortin, however its impact, according to organizers, is already proving immense. The annual Point Fortin Borough celebrations, culminates this weekend and on Sunday, an event with a bigger purpose at heart, is anticipated to draw a massive crowd to fete, for the greater good.
Naya George and Anson George spoke exclusively with Ebuzztt.com ahead of the all inclusive experience. They’re excited to see their vision come to life. Anson, a well known name on the carnival and entertainment circuit, is known for his strong involvement in the BeachHouse Carnival brand. “It’s going to be on par with BeachHouse,” he assured, asserting ‘Flowers’ as the new ‘must attend’ fete in Borough Day festivities. “There are other events happening on Sunday in Point Fortin but there’s no other event of this caliber, happening,” said Anson, explaining that a few tickets are still available for those who still want to get in.
For Naya, the effort is less about business, and more about purpose. “We are partying with a purpose. We want to let people know that this isn’t just about feting. This is the only party that’s happening in Point Fortin that’s giving back to Point Fortin,” he explained, adding that proceeds will go toward investment in the young people. “The first set of projects will be at the Point Fortin West Secondary School where the event is being held. We are going to revitalize the sports programme, playing field restoration, sporting equipment and that kind of stuff, to ensure the youths have a place to find themselves in the area of sports. Flowers is the premiere fund raiser to do these things,” said George.
Set to welcome fete lovers from 5pm on Sunday at the Point Fortin West Secondary School, Flowers will feature a cast of talented artistes, inclusive of Nadia Batson and Lyrikal. “We want to raise fund in style and with high quality at heart, hence the reason the event’s caliber is high. This is going to be a first for Point Fortin,” said Naya George.
The Point Fortin Borough experience is widely attended, with a series of cultural events leading up to the weekend of excitement that is anticipated by locals and visitors alike, each year. “Flowers has set the tone for the Borough Day evolution I think,” said Naya George. “Fusion came to an end last night,” noted Anson. He said the cultural extravaganza, which was similar to Carnival’s Flava Village, was a huge success and noted the wide variety of cultural traditions, shared between April 25th and April 30th. “If people can jump on a plane to experience Grenada carnival, we are certain they can come from West and North Trinidad to enjoy the Point Fortin Borough activities,” said Anson, making it clear that ahead of the upcoming weekend, hotel and guest house occupancy is already high.
“Borough is like a second carnival,” said Anson. He said there are fetes happening throughout the day on Friday. “When you come, you get a taste of everything you get in carnival. You get the fetes, the all inclusive, the jouvert, the street food, the culture,” he highlighted, and this year, for the very first time, fans of culture, creativity and altruism, will fete with purpose at Flowers – a distinct, top tier, premium all inclusive experience in the heart of the borough.
Tickets for the event are available online at Stacy’s House Of Hair – Point Fortin, Atherley’s By The Park – San Fernando, Terminal 4 – Long Circular Mall and online at theticketgeneral.com.