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Archived: The Best of the Best Festival Will Be Lit. Jo Mersa Marley Says “Mek We Blaze A Fire!”

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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

The Bar Is Being Set. Flowers All Inclusive to Up The Game in Point Fortin, This Weekend.

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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

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.

Anson 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.

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Caribbean Buzz

Caribbean Youths Zealously Welcome American Streamer, IShowSPEED.

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A Caribbean tour that started in Trinidad on Saturday and has continued in Grenada, this afternoon, has intrigued GenZ and GenAlphan fans across the Caribbean and internationally, all thanks to digital influencer, IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr.

The 21-year-old Cincinnati, Ohio native who has racked up over 53 million YouTube subscribers touched down in Trinidad on Saturday, much to the excitement of local gaming and streaming fanatics, many of whom are teens and pre-teens.

Accompanied by several Trinidad and Tobago influencers and chaperoned by Machel Montano’s manager, Che Kothari, the vibrant young streamer was shown various parts of Port- of- Spain, Trinidad, and introduced to aspects of the culture often experienced by visitors to T&T, particularly at Carnival time.

From Saheena, to Roti, Bake and Shark and Doubles, IShowSpeed tried several Trinbagonian dishes and even some of the snacks manufactured locally. He was exposed to Carnival culture and traditional carnival characters and further to that, Trinidad and Tobago artistes like Lady Lava, Nessa Preppy and Jimmy October shared in the thrill of his visit. Many young, eager Trinbaonians, inclusive of parents who are familiar with the young influencer, engaged happily with Watkins Jr. throughout Saturday’s trip, all as he streamed the fun, live. Running through the streets as he moved through places like Tragarete Road and Charlotte Street in downtown Port-of-Spain, he was visibly excited to experience the country known especially for the Greatest Caribbean Carnival, the world over.

The trip, though quick, was streamed to some 7 millions online viewers and while some found it difficult to relate to the new wave of digital marketing and influencer branding potential for the small, twin island, others have since been marveling at the fact that this 21-year-old has managed to gift Trinidad and Tobago more publicity in mere hours, than that which Caribbean celebrities have been able to attain, over years in cultural ambassadorship.

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