Ebuzz News
Archived: The Creative Industry Has Never Gotten This Kind of Boost. Just Look!
As we countdown the clock to the first Caribbean Creative Industries Business Summit and Workshop Series, hosted by AEGIS Business Solutions from November 15th, we highlight some of the speakers that will present at the Opening Ceremony and Summit.
This event is like none other and is set to launch following Global Entrepreneurship Week on November 15th! Senator The Honorable, Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Trade and Industry, along with Senator The Honorable, Randall Mitchell, Minister of Tourism, Culture and The Arts, The Honorable, Ancil Dennis, Secretary of Tourism, Culture and Transportation and Deodat Maharaj, Executive Director of Caribbean Export Development Agency, will present at the virtual Opening Ceremony, due to start at 1pm; it is free to the public. Musician, Actor and producer, Wendell Manwarren of 3canal, will be doing a video presentation on ‘Communicating the Creative Vision’:
“I see this Summit as a crucial opportunity at this precarious time, for creatives and investors to get out of their silos and bridge the divide and challenge the assumptions, that continue to bedevil and prevent us from finding common purpose towards a common goal. For us to seek solutions and explore possibilities that take us beyond where we are, to where we imagine is possible, by providing the forum for real communication to flourish and ideas to blossom and bear fruit, that redound to the benefit of us all.” – Wendell Manwarren
The Ceremony will also include, a ‘Mindset and Motivation’ session with Precision Global Music CEO and Music producer, Kasey Phillips, among other presentations.
Participants can also look forward to engaging panels and discussions surrounding the Creative Industries, on how we navigate, innovate and propel these sectors, in order to jumpstart our creative economy. One such panel is, “Valuing the Creative Mindset” and features a talented group from the Caribbean! Trinbagonian Fashion Designer and Social entrepreneur, Anya Ayoung Chee, Illustrator, artist and comic book writer, Matthew Clarke from Barbados, Guyanese Literary activist and Oral historian, Petamber Persaud, Jamerican Film Director and Screenwriter, Kia Moses, along with CEO of Spicemas Corp., Kelvin Jacob from Grenada and Music Producer and percussionist, Keshav Chandradath Singh from Trinidad, are all gearing up for the Summit. The panel will be moderated by Media personality and Communications practitioner, Dike Rostant.
Caribbean Buzz
Kes The Band’s ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour Concludes with Sold-Out International Success.
Kes the Band has officially concluded its highly acclaimed Roots, Rock, Soca Tour, marking another groundbreaking moment in the band’s remarkable journey. The international tour captivated audiences across the United Kingdom, Europe and North America – making history as the first Soca act to sell-out stadium shows in the United States and to sell out the RBC Amphitheater in Toronto, Canada with 16,000 fans.
The tour featured sold-out shows in major music cities such as London, Vancouver, Los Angeles, New York, and its final stop in Toronto – with thousands of fans gathering night after night to experience the signature sound, musicianship, and infectious energy that have made KestheBand one of the Caribbean’s most influential live acts.
The ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour became a celebration of culture, connection, and community. Each performance in the concert series showcased the band’s ability to transcend borders and generations, bringing together audiences from diverse backgrounds through music rooted in Caribbean identity. With energetic performances spanning storied venues such as Forest Hills Stadium in New York and The Bellwether in California, Kes the Band continues to cement its place in history as an enduring, generational force that bridges rhythms, unites audiences, and elevates the heartbeat of Caribbean culture in communities across global borders.
Led by charismatic frontman Kees Dieffenthaller, the band’s world-class lineup includes Dean Jameson drums, Jon Dieffenthaller on guitar, Riad Boochoon on bass, Mario Callender and Geiron Mangon keyboards, and Robert ‘Robbie Styles’ Persaud on DJ and Ableton. Together, they delivered dynamic performances that combined exceptional musicianship with the unmistakable spirit that has become synonymous with KestheBand.
Adding to the excitement throughout the tour were a number of memorable surprise guest appearances from some of soca’s most celebrated artists, including Coutain, Lady Lava, Barbados Soca legend Edwin Yearwood, Iwer George, London’s Haile of WSTRN, Haitian singer J Perry, and Ravi B. Their appearances created unforgettable moments for fans while highlighting the camaraderie and creative excellence that continue to define Caribbean music.
The overwhelming response to the tour underscores Kes the Band’s continued evolution from a beloved Caribbean band to a truly global cultural ambassador. Across every city, audiences embraced the music, creating an atmosphere that reflected the growing international appreciation for soca and Caribbean artistry.
Photo: Jono Hirst.
As the curtain closes on the Roots, Rock, Soca Tour, Kes the Band is already focused on the next chapter. The band will soon return to the studio to begin work on new music for an upcoming album, continuing its tradition of pushing creative boundaries while staying true to the sound that has resonated with fans around the world.
The momentum also continues for Kes the Band on stage over Labor Day Weekend as the iconic group takes the stage at the DC Jazz Festival (DCJF), one of the United States’ premier music festivals, taking place September 2–6, 2026. Following the band’s debut on NPR Tiny Desk in the capital of the United States earlier this year, the band continues to expand its reach and introduce Caribbean music to new audiences on some of the world’s most respected stages.
With decades of groundbreaking music, unforgettable live performances, and an unwavering commitment to cultural excellence, Kes the Band continues to redefine what’s possible for Caribbean artists on the global stage. The success of the Roots, Rock, Soca Tour is both a celebration of an extraordinary series of performances and a defining chapter in the band’s enduring legacy, setting the stage for an exciting new era of music and global performances.
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.
