Ebuzz News
The Lost Tribe Set to Shake Off Heaviness of The Past, With ‘Fly’ in 2024. Here’s The Launch Details!
On Friday, July 21st, THE LOST TRIBE will launch its Carnival 2024 presentation, “Fly”, at Adam Smith Square, Woodbrook. The 2023 Large Band of the Year winner will reveal its costumes at the end of the Sunset Theatre, a theatrical and cultural street parade that marks the start of SunsetWKN, the TRIBE Group’s launch of Carnival 2024.
According to THE LOST TRIBE’s band leader and Creative Director, Valmiki Maharaj, this year was the perfect opportunity to try a new approach to launching the band.
“This year we’re celebrating twenty years of TRIBE, twenty years of innovation in the Carnival industry and so, as part of that, THE LOST TRIBE wanted to launch as we never have before – on the street, free to the public, an immersive experience in the Band Launch Capital, during a time that has become known as the band launch season of Trinidad and Tobago.”
Sunset Theatre, which precedes the launch of THE LOST TRIBE’s costumes, is also free to the public and starts at Ana Street at 7 pm.
The event, which debuted in 2022 in the inaugural SunsetWKN, drew throngs of spectators to Ariapita Avenue, with performances staged at various corners along the avenue, celebrating each of Trinidad and Tobago’s myriad of cultural influences.
For Maharaj, it is a fitting juxtaposition of the two brands. He said, “Sunset Theatre is a very LOST TRIBE-infused product from the TRIBE Group. Last year we introduced the concept to resoundingly positive feedback from the public, many of whom came with their families to enjoy the show. Sunset Theatre celebrates our culture in the way that THE LOST TRIBE seeks to celebrate those aspects of Trinbagonian identity through mas. Many of our dancers and performers also work with us on the road for Carnival, so really, this is like a reunion and a precursor to the road. We’re very fortunate to have the support of our corporate partner CARIB Brewery, and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, who understood the vision and enabled us to execute it again this year,” he said.
Sunset Theatre concludes at Adam Smith Square at 8 pm, after which THE LOST TRIBE’s 2024 costumes will take flight. The theme for 2024, “Fly” is inspired by the winged fauna of Trinidad and Tobago, both literally and figuratively.
Maharaj said, “After 202WE, when we fashioned our costumes after affirmations and our vision for the future, we figured it was time to shake off the heaviness of the last few years and take to the sky. If there is one thing you can count on our masqueraders to do is embody a theme, so I am looking forward to seeing the lightness of being that comes with playing mas, the euphoria of the road stretched in front of you, and the very real joy we feel in finding our flock. “Fly” is also dedicated to TRIBE and their twenty years of making room for us to spread our wings and explore all the corners of this world we call Carnival.”
Ebuzz News
Patrice Roberts Pulls 10K Plus Crowd At Flava Village in Port-of-Spain.
The national Carnival Commission says more than 10,000 patrons came out to Flava Village at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Thursday night to see female Soca artiste, Patrice Roberts.
An event dubbed, ‘Always Us,’ held as a free showcase for Carnival lovers, delivered a number of truly entertaining soca stars, among them, Shal Marshall, Shurwayne Winchester, Nadia Batson, Farmer Nappy and Mical Teja. The NCC, in a media statement said, “an estimated 8,000 people filled the popular Carnival venue, with an additional 2,000patrons enjoying the show from viewing screens along The Drag, creating an electric Carnival atmosphere despite heavy rainfall earlier in the day.”
With her usual high energy performances, Patrice held the attention of fans throughout the night.The concert was described by the artiste as a heartfelt “thank you” to her fans and
supporters. NCC’s Chief Executive Officer, Keiba Jacob-Mottley, said the organisation welcomed the opportunity to partner with Roberts. “We commend Patrice for her decision to give back in this meaningful way and applaud her commitment to ensuring that high-quality local entertainment remains accessible to everyone during the Carnival season, Mottley said, adding, “Our collaboration reinforces the NCC’s focus on creating memorable Carnival experiences that celebrate our artistes while removing financial barriers for the public,” she added.
The NCC CEO noted that the Flava Food Village, one of two signature Carnival villages at the
Savannah, alongside the John Cupid Carnival Village, is offered as a vibrant, inclusive space
where patrons can enjoy food, culture, and nightly performances free of charge. She added
that other NCC events, such as “Welcome to the Gayelle” represent the continuing work at
delivering a successful Carnival 2026.
David Baptiste, President of the Carnival Entrepreneurs Association, described the night as a milestone for vendors at the Savannah. “Last night was truly beautiful and something I have never seen before – an event of this magnitude in terms of crowd size, and people supporting the vendors. Many vendors sold out last night. We need more of this, and I am looking forward to the next event. Events like these boost business for our vendors at the Savannah and make them truly feel like they are a part of the Carnival festival,” Baptiste said.
Ebuzz News
Squeezy Rankin’s Pivot. Artiste Goes Hard into Calypso to Change Mindsets.
From dancehall music with rough lyrical content to social commentary that aims at changing mindsets, East Trinidad native, Squeezy Rankin says he has found his true calling in Calypso music. The entertainer is on the road to the preliminary round of the Calypso Monarch Competition later this month, with a single called ‘Rat Race’ – this, one year after ‘Justice’ influenced younger audiences to take a stronger look at the Calypso genre, something that he hopes he can continue to do as his journey in music continues.
In a recent radio interview, the reigning Young King, whose real name is Anthony La Fleur, said prior to 2025, he had not done music professionally in 13 years. Jumping back into the spotlight, he said, was a bit intimidating, but the exposure last year has prepared him for 2026 and the artiste is expected to confidently claim his space in the Calypso Monarch competition this year.
As real as it gets, Squeezy Rankin- a man on the ground, has always fought for his place in the music industry locally. Now, as Calypso music embraces him even more, he says he believes he’s found his place. “I plan on releasing two songs during the year because I want to change the narrative that Calypso music is old people music,” he said, adding that his hope is that urban radio stations see the value in sharing topics of social commentary, such as ‘Justice’ and ‘Rat Race’- songs deep in meaning and valuable beyond measure, in the greater scheme of things.
Determined to change mindsets one song at a time, Squeezy Rankin says his strong suit is certainly social commentary and he will not, at any time, delve into political commentary. “I was advised by someone who is deep in politics to stay out of it and I literally listened. You know sometimes we hear people, but we aren’t listening. I thought about what he said, and it made sense. I literally listened, even though they say I don’t listen,” he said with a laugh.
‘Rat Race’ was written by Squeezy and Angelo Pantin with production by Q-Ban Production.
NEW MUSIC
