Ebuzz News
Teja’s ‘Mas’ Exceeds Expectation. Young Road March King Brings Real Good Vibes.
Mical Teja may very well go down as one of the most influential entertainers of this generation in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean. His music, never failing, has infectiously mesmerized audiences, with some verses and choruses though written for others, distinctly carrying his flavorful vibe. Now, as January 2025 makes its exit and the season of revelry intensifies in Trinidad and Tobago, all eyes are on the hit-maker, many eager to see if he will in fact secure a second Road March win, or better yet, become so undeniably integral to the culture, that no promoter, anywhere, could resist hiring him.
In 2024, Mical Teja performed around the world, his hits, ‘DNA’ and ‘Runaway’ sending crowds in a frenzy. This year, he is pretty much doing the same with ‘Energy’ and ‘Higher Power.’
On Sunday, January 26th, at the Normandie Hotel in St. Ann’s, Trinidad, Teja hosted ‘MAS’ The Experience, a showcase that promoted him even higher, if that is in fact possible. Supported by the illustrious, Brian MacFarlane, creativity stood out front, beckoning eyes, ears and all other senses, in a moment in Carnival 2025 that will be remembered by many.
Prior to last season, Mical Teja was often quiet and reserved in the background. He hopped on the scene as a producer and songwriter, but when 2024 came around, the world would come to know him as a performer. His elevation was supported by artistes like Viking Ding Dong, Kees Dieffenthaller, and others who were impacted by his creativity over the years. Teja had written for Machel Montano, Destra Garcia, Olatunji Yearwood, Kerwin DuBois, Patrice Roberts, Nailah Blackman and countless others, prior. Now, infected by the stage and the excitement of it all, he is back on stage in 2025, pouring his heart and soul into all that he does.
On Sunday, Teja made his way to the stage at around 8:30pm, amid a true cultural explosion – Jab and blue devils on full display, making their way through the thick crowd who’d come out in support. In the background, heavy riddim echoed, bringing fans to loud outbursts of appreciation. Teja would go on to sing his 2025 hit, ‘Higher Power’ backed by dancers who showcased special choreography to suit the song, bringing immeasurable impact on stage.
The event featured a number of performers, among them Coutain, Kees Dieffenthaller, Kris Kennedy, Anika Berry, Farmer Nappy, Freetown Collective, GBM Nutron, Nadia Batson, FullBlown and Yung Bredda. “They are some of the writers on some of the biggest soca songs,” he had said of Fullblown, as he thanked them for joining him at MAS- The Experience. “To see this – y’all making full circle – brothers, this is allyuh time,” he said to the siblings who, like him, have ventured to the stage after years of writing songs for other artistes.
Undoubtedly appreciated by his peers, Teja was warmly greeted and his energy matched each time he introduced a new artiste. When Freetown Collective took the stage with him to single, “Mas Cone Again,” the moment was pure, real, tangible. Freetown would go on to take charge of the perfectly in tuned and alive audience, delivering his 2025 hit single, “Come Home,” – a song that has echoed the feelings, though sometimes willingly subdued, of the real Trinbagonian patriot.
The energy of this year’s MAS – The Experience may never be truly replicated, but it is certain that Mical Teja, Brian MacFarlane and team have delivered to patrons, a slice of carnival that has been missing – something true, fresh and authentic.
Ebuzz News
Seven Songs. One Big Artiste. Grenada’s Spice Mas Better Be Ready for Skinny Banton.
Spice Mas, like every other carnival, is seasonal, but for Carriacou, Grenada artiste, Skinny Banton, music isn’t. He has unleashed seven songs in 2026, and like clockwork he’s locked in and ready to deliver his energy, good vibes and storytelling strengths to audiences celebrating another memorable Spice Mas experience this year.
For Skinny Banton, whose real name is Shirlan George, Grenada’s Jab culture is fuel to his fire. In the past, songs like ‘Soak It Good’ and ‘Wrong Again,’ brought him tremendous acclaim across the region and internationally. This season, The Jambalasse project is anticipated to be one of the artiste’s most powerful contributions, signaling his intentionality to promote his country’s authentic culture, wherever he goes. “With this project we’re trying to keep the history, while celebrating the present by revamping a song that was done by Moss International 35 years ago,” he said. That song was called ‘Jambalasse Rule,’ released in 1991. “We revamped the riddim because it was one of the first songs considered to be an original Jab Jab song from Grenada, at that time,” he explained.
Proud of his personal efforts to keep the awareness on Grenada’s cultural traditions, Skinny Banton advocates for the continued celebration of these traditions and understands his role as an artiste. “No matter what we face as artistes in this space, we stay true to our mission. I have several songs that the people will enjoy in Spice Mas and beyond. One of my personal favourites is ‘Pain,’ a song I would like to share with my fans in Trinidad and Tobago when Carnival 2027 comes around,” he said.
Strengthening Others
Other tracks released by Skinny include, ‘When Yuh Eating,’ ‘Right Up,’ ‘Black Fuh Juvay,’ ‘Can’t Stop Us,’ ‘Carnival Traffic’ featuring Jamaican artiste, I Octane, ‘My Behaviour,’ featuring Tonic X and ‘Water Line Burst,’ collaboratively done with Nicki Akull. “The collaborations done with Tonic X and Nicki Akull mean a lot to me. They are upcoming artistes who I share good vibes with. When I was younger and had hopes of connecting and collaborating with bigger artistes, it was not easy,” he recalled, adding that it often felt daunting. He says because he understands the feeling, he is happy to be able to help these up-and-coming entertainers. “This was just my way of giving them strength and encouragement. I feel like nobody takes you seriously when you don’t have a foot in the door – they refuse to embrace you because you are not known. I want them to keep pushing after this,” he added.
Dedicated and refocused, Skinny Banton is pushing full speed ahead. “I’m doing music videos for most of the songs. I already have a video for ‘Black Fuh Juvay,’ which has been uploaded to YouTube and all other streaming platforms, and the video for ‘My Behaviour’ with Tonic X is also out,” he said. Grateful to Jamaican artiste, IOctane for the strength given to him on their collaboration on the single, ‘Carnival Traffic,’ Skinny said this particular song is one that he loves, and he hopes the people will, as well.
For the past three years, the artiste had been approached by upcoming entertainer, Nicki Akull for the single they eventually brought forward this year. “Waterline Buss – Nicki Akull’s persistence and determination really brought this song into existence,” he said, happy to have eventually come around to making it happen. Even with such a vast number of singles released, Skinny Banton says he is ready to work with artistes across the Diaspora. “I’m still creating, still working and I’m looking forward to establishing more ground in the Soca community and around the world.”
Social Media, Music and Trends.
Certainly attuned to the necessary promotional adjustments that many artistes have been forced to adopt, Skinny Banton says he hopes that despite the rise in social media content distribution, true talent and good music is not sacrificed. “I feel like content creation online should not take away from artistes creating and delivering great music, because without the content, the music should still stand on its own, and with the content, the people still need the music,” he shared. “I also feel like a lot of trends are created from making yourself an online spectacle and not the music being able to sustain itself, so you may get attention for what you post as content, but the music you’re posting the content for sometimes does not have enough substance to sustain itself for longevity,” he rationalized.
Thoughtful, conscious and truly talented, Skinny Banton is a necessary part of the Caribbean’s creative landscape. His storytelling ability, coupled with his appreciation for the art and vocal capacity, makes him an artiste everyone should tap in to. “I want to encourage the young artistes to stay focused and keep pushing and never be discouraged by the many things that’s said on social media. They must work hard to establish their business to suit them, because every artiste will do things differently, when it comes to the business; Never be discouraged by the naysayers,” he advised. He thanked his fans for their love and support over the years. “People who’ve been supporting from day one and continue to support, as well as the new supporters I’ve gotten along the way – thank you. To the DJs and radio personalities, I appreciate you. One hand doesn’t clap. Thank you for keeping my songs on rotation and I hope you all continue to support me.”
Music News
JrDynamite Gets Real On New Single “Fake Energy.”
