Caribbean Buzz
The Best of the Best Festival Will Be Lit. Jo Mersa Marley Says “Mek We Blaze A Fire!”
The organizers of Best of the Best (BOTB) – North America’s largest international music festival, have launched the countdown to the 15th annual staging of Best of the Best (BOTB) Music Fest. The anticipated event is set to be held on Sunday October 10th, 2021.
On Thursday September 9th, the event’s producers, hosted an intimate launch to what many dubbed, “We Are Back!” It took place at Racket-Wynwood and Jo Mersa Marley, who is one of the performers on this year’s Best of the Best stage, was in attendance. “Growing up I always saw Best of the Best concert, posters and promotions, the artists performing on the big stage. Well, now I am on that Best of the Best stage. Come out Sunday Oct. 10th– Mek we blaze a fire and full joy” said the young Marley.
Also, in attendance was one of this year’s returning sponsors Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), represented by Mr. Christopher Wright, Business Development Manager. He kicked off the night with the now staple slogan We’re Back. “We’re Back, and ready to enjoy good reggae and soca music. There is nothing like a good Caribbean concert and most of all we can’t forget the food! Congratulations to the Best of the Best team. We are happy to be a part of this great music fest again this year.”
As the conversation continued Consul General of Jamaica Mr. Oliver Mair also congratulated the organizers, and applauded their efforts to make sure this is a safe and responsible festival, amid the ever-changing world we are living in today. “We applaud the organizers of Best of the Best, for entertaining responsibly. Inside the park on Sunday Oct. 10th there will be vaccination opportunity for the patrons attending, as well as sanitize stations”.
Best of the Best music fest is complying with CDC guidelines and have implemented the option for patrons to receive COVID-19 vaccination. Both Pfizer & Moderna, first or second dose will be available, according to the BOTB team.
In closing off the launch night, event publicist Ronnie Tomlinson, along with one of the festival’s organizers Steven “Jabba” Beckford, drove home the importance of safety in a bid to enjoy each other’s company again and be entertained by some of reggae and Soca music’s favorite artists, even within the ongoing pandemic. “This year we want everyone to come out and enjoy the show safely and just know that after the show, it’s the after party. This year Jabba Strike Back will be held on Oct 10th at Story Night club Miami. All are welcome and wear your colors” said Beckford.
“We are back, our music, our culture, one stage. Thanks to all our media partners and sponsors; Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), and Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB).
About Best of the Best 2021
On Sunday, October 10th 2021, BOTB, one of North America’s largest Caribbean music festivals will welcome Billboard charting star renowned for her showmanship, Spice (Cool It, Genie, Sheet), young Grammy Award winning reggae sensation Koffee (Toast, Raggamuffin, Rapture, Lock Down), legendary Tanya Stephens (These Streets, It’s a Pity, You Nuh Ready Fi This Yet) trailblazer Lady G (Breeze Off, Nuff Respect), popular soca artist and Bajan queen Alison Hinds (Roll It Gal, Faluma, Thundah), king of dancing Ding Dong ( Gweh, Watch Dem) and musical genius Tarrus Riley (Lighter, She’s Royal, EZ Nuh, Lion Paw) to the stage of the Bay Front Park in downtown Miami.
Recognized and honored in 2019 with a proclamation by the city of Miami, the one-of-a-kind music festival has each year welcomed diverse community of record-breaking crowds from all over the world and has become the perfect getaway for music aficionados who prefer to “experience” live Caribbean music. “It is a celebration of Caribbean heritage. It has been kind of downplayed because it has been doing well for so long. Best of the Best has earned its reputation based on the fact it’s in its 13th year. This particular festival also hasn’t had any negative incidents and we are very proud of that.” declared Retha Boone-Fye, program officer and director of the county’s Black Affairs Advisory Board.
Tickets purchased for BOTB 2020 edition of the festival are still valid and can be used for access to this years’ Best of the Best Music Fest. BOTB will be postponed until Sunday, October 10th, 2021.
Caribbean Buzz
Caribbean Music Awards Adds ‘Zess-Steam Artiste of The Year’ Category.
The Caribbean Music Awards, set to take place on Thursday, August 28th, has announced its 150 nominees. Leading the nominations are Jamaican artistes, Masicka and Shenseea, who have been nominated for 7 awards each, while T&T’ Patrice Roberts and Kes have been nominated in six categories. Vybz Kartel, Nailah Blackman, Chronic Law, and Kranium each earned five nominations.
The event which will take place in Brooklyn, New York, and is being hosted for the third time this year, is presented by Caribbean Elite Group. Forty categories will see Caribbean artistes vie for awards in a ceremony that is tipped to be the most electrifying yet. Voting began on April 9th via www.caribmusicawards.com and will close off on May 31st.
This year, seven new categories have been added reflecting Caribbean artistry’s ongoing evolution and global influence. New additions include Reggae – Collaboration of the Year and Reggae Song of the Year. Also making their debut are Female – International DJ of the Year,Caribbean Fusion Song of the Year, Caribbean R&B Artist of the Year, Zess-Steam Artist of the Year, and Gospel Song of the Year. Artistes nominated in this new category are Lady Lava, Father Philis, Nelly Cottoy,
Sackie, Trinidad Killa and Yung Bredda.
“From unforgettable performances to cultural milestones, the Caribbean Music Awards honors the best of the best—from Soca, Dancehall, and Reggae to Kompa, Chutney, Gospel, and more. This celebration is not just an awards show—it’s a movement that pays tribute to the vibrant heartbeat of the Caribbean,” say organisers.
Caribbean Buzz
Jamaican Dancehall Kings, Buju Banton and Vybz Kartel Put Culture and Country First.
On Friday night in Brooklyn, New York, an extraordinary tell-tale of Caribbean influence showed boldly on the outskirts and inside the downtown Brooklyn, Barclays Centre. Jamaican dancehall king, Vybz Kartel, having survived incarceration and illness over the past 13 years, had returned to the spotlight and would be appearing on stage at Barclays – something thousands, unable to travel to the artiste’s Freedom Street return concert last December, in Jamaica, had been anticipating for months.
Adidja Palmer, famously known for his Gaza-touting refrains and suggestive lewd lyrical traps, thoroughly enjoyed by the opposite sex, had been freed of a murder conviction on account of the intervention of the London Privy Council in 2024. Upon his release from behind bars, he called on the youth to stay on the side of the law and refrain from ‘badness.’ In January, Palmer was granted his US visa. He now resides in Florida, something he confirmed last Friday, during an interview with hosts of the Breakfast Club, Charlemagne, DJ Envy and Jess Hilarious.
This past weekend, Vybz Kartel returned to his glory, single-handedly luring a massive crowd on both Friday and Saturday nights to the Barclays Centre. “Back to back, never done before – sold out, so let’s talk about this,” said female Dancehall superstar, Spice in a social media video. She too had made an impact on both nights, reveling in the spirit of camaraderie and culture.
Last year, the same venue had been sold out with double shows delivered by Reggae and Dancehall icon, Buju Banton. Like Vybz Kartel, he too had been imprisoned for many years and upon his re-entry into the United States after approximately 6 years of freedom, Buju’s desirability was unmatched. This past Friday, in what no one expected, Buju Banton would appear in support of Kartel at Barclays Centre. “This is Buju Banton doing it for the culture; supporting Vybz Kartel here in Brooklyn tonight. Let’s get it right,” he said in an online video post.
Many years before, in the early years of his emergence, Vybz Kartel had been infamously reprimanded by Buju on stage, something that many fans of Kartel had not forgotten. Fast forward more than a decade later and this simple show of support has been declared a winning move for Jamaica’s culture and the country’s brand. “Don; meh mentor,” hollered Kartel upon greeting the “Circumstances” singer. An embrace and a humble admission by Buju would lead to Kartel’s admission that Buju Banton has always been the artiste he’s looked up to. “One Buju Banton; my favourite DJ ever of all time. Him inspire me,” said Palmer.
Vybz Kartel has immensely impacted Caribbean brand awareness in present day, much like Bob Marley did over 30 years ago. Buju Banton, similarly increased caribbean brand value over the past 25 years, creating historic moments globally on stages around the world, and even winning a Grammy award for his album, ‘Before the Dawn.’
Most recently, Vybz Kartel released a new single honoring God. On stage on Friday night in Brooklyn, the artiste broke down in tears while performing the track. Fans who attended the show have since called that particular part of the event, the most impactful.
