Ebuzz News
Archived: The Queen Rises. Denise Saucy ‘Wow’ Belfon Tells It All.
WHEN THE SPIRIT SPEAKS
Belfon had a spiritual encounter this year ; one that led her to register and deliver an event in New York, coined, “J’ouvert in June.’ Prior to that, she had gotten a taste of the world of event promotion in the US, having been trusted by Jamaican dancehall artist Charly Black to put on his birth night event in in Atlanta, in April. She told us that one night, having cried herself to sleep, she remembers praying for God to lead her to what He wanted her to do with her life. “I said, yuh see all this negativity that was happening around me… I asked God to show me what to do; If I should leave the entertainment industry behind and serve him completely; and then in my dreams my grandmother appeared. She looked at me and said, “Denise, J’ouvert in June- yuh will be alright,”” Saucy related.
The J’ouvert in June concept was not something new. In fact, as Denise told us, her grandmother who had been born in Gouyave, St. John, Grenada, likened Denise’s dancing skills to a Grendadian’s and would tell her that often. “She asked me to do a J’ouvert before she passed away and we did it in Trinidad, first calling it, Aero vs Holli but then we renamed it to ‘J’ouvert in June.” Denise said after her grandmother’s death, she couldn’t bring herself to host the event again, until she appeared to her in her dream in New York.
On June 19th this year, after being restricted for months prior and having very little time to promote the event, Denise Belfon pulled off her first international instalment of ‘J’ouvert in June’, drawing 650 patrons. She thanked friends, JoJo’s Exclusive, Central Clothing, Berry and Bandy for their support, telling of their encouragement to her when, prior to the J’ouvert, she had hosted an event during the pandemic. “We had one week of promotion for that back yard event and we got 380 people to come during the pandemic. Nothing was open yet. I was sneaking and I got through with 380 people and we took it from there,” she said.
AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
Thankful for small mercies, Denise Belfon is working hard, fighting the odds and learning from her defeats. She has proved her staying power and appeal- a global TikTok challenge in April 2020 producing the unexpected result of 289 million views and streams worldwide and over 3 million TikTok hashtags in her honor. “My niece Britney suggested it to me, and we went with it and the response was unbelievable,” she said with a laugh.
Now, as 2021 rolls hard into summer in the US, Denise is making herself seen, heard and felt. A new single now out, called, “Iz Ah Queen”, the artist is fuelled by passion and driven by a better understanding of the business of the industry that she is apart. Now the face of online radio station New Radio 99.3FM, Denise says she’s giving her all to everything she’s a part of. With regard to the new song, she calls it a ladies’ anthem. “I did this song to make it a summer anthem for ladies all over the world who go through struggles in life, in relationships – being the support system for their families and all else. I’d love to see queens like Spice, Shenseea, Cecile, Estelle Darlings, Heather Headley and all the other queens singing along to it and maybe posting videos online in support of it,” she said, eager to make the best of her musical opportunities.
Asked when she’d be returning to Trinidad and Tobago, Saucy quickly replied, “As soon as the borders reopen.” T&T’s Prime Minister has given the July 17th date for that much anticipated event.
Ebuzz News
“We Have so Much to Offer the World.” Shurwayne’s Bringing The Authentic Tobago to Carnival.
The most anticipated period on Tobago’s annual event calendar is just about ready to start and one of the island’s most successful entertainers is leading the charge, delivering an event on Thursday, October 29th that will prove truly memorable. Shurwayne Winchester is Tobago’s golden boy. He has taken the Tobago Carnival product personally, believing it’s a good tool to market the island, if truly executed with love and sustainability in mind.
Shurwayne emerged on the Soca scene over 20 years ago and has not slowed down. He has cemented his name in the Caribbean entertainment landscape over many years and he has represented Tobago with immense pride. Despite having moved to Trinidad, the two-time Road March champion remains deeply connected to his home and is set to host Tobago Love The Xperience in honor of that appreciation. “Together with my friend and old Tobago classmate, Lester Duncan, we’re using this event to show the world what Tobago is truly about. For me, it’s about giving back to the place that I came from. There is no prouder moment than being able to do something like this on your home soil. We wanted to offer those visiting the island, something more than the décor and the lights and music,” said the artiste, noting that this year’s theme for Tobago Love The Xperience is The Harvest. “We’re doing something that’s built around the heritage of Tobago. As somebody who grew up here it has always been important for me to do this – to give the foreigners a chance to see the real Tobago, to give them a chance to fall in love with Tobago – the things that they see and the feeling they get when they experience what we have to share.”
Shurwayne believes the events happening at Carnival should embody the island’s underlying energy and attributes. “When they come here for Carnival, what they experience should make them want to return even outside of the Carnival season,” he said.
Tobago Love The Xperience takes place at the Signal Hill Secondary School from 6pm on Thursday. “We want our people to fall in love with our island too. It’s important for us to love where we come from,” said the entertainer. “This event is about heritage and culture. It’s about the history of Tobago. When people enter the venue they will see and feel exactly what a Tobago Harvest is like even as we fete and celebrate the Carnival season,” he said.
An artiste, promoter and ambassador, Shurwayne Winchester’s undying commitment to preserving what’s good about his nation, is commendable. He was one of the artistes who performed most recently at the funeral service held for the late, great Calypso King of the World, The Mighty Sparrow. “We have so much to offer the world and there are men and women who showed us how to do it with class and dignity. They took what we have and shared it well with the rest of the world. Men like Sparrow and Aunty Rose represented in a particular way for T&T and I just think it’s a fundamental part of being a patriot – someone who puts country before anything else.”
Music News
Stepping Into Her Own, Jalessa Says It’s Time for ‘Freedom.’
For 16-year-old rising star, Jalessa Lazarus, this month has been bitter sweet. The teenager is set to release her new single, ‘Freedom,’ but even as she delivers musically, she is reminded of her grandmother who passed away in May this year, after being diagnosed with Breast Cancer. “She would always tell me I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” said the youngster as she reminisced on the encouragement, she often received from her family matriarch.
Jalessa Lazarus is a talented, young entertainer in the Soca space, and even as her present focus is on the 2027 CXC examinations, her love for music abounds, and so she is still releasing the Teddy Rhymes penned, ‘Freedom,’ with hope of maintaining her standing in the music space in 2027. “This song is all about expressing yourself – encouraging enjoyment and appreciation for the culture of Trinidad and Tobago. I want people to really get to know what we here in T&T are all about – all that we have and all that we can share with the world,” said the artiste.
The song was produced by Millbeatz Music – a familiar space for the entertainer, as she is also being taught to play the piano and guitar under the Millbeatz Entertainment umbrella – under the tutelage of Kevin Millien. “I’m trying my very best to do both music and school. CXC is serious. I have a time-table that helps me with balancing both my studies and music,” she explained. Jalessa is very aware of the importance of a good education. She has a good head on her shoulders, along with parents who keep her grounded, and guide her every step of the way. “I’m doing Maths, English Language, IT, Social Studies, Principles of Business and Office Administration,” she said, assuring that she will release more music upon the completion of her exams. “I want to be an inspiration to other young entertainers coming behind me. I also want to travel – take my music around the world,” she expressed, adding that she has dreams of stepping into the RnB arena one day – her inspiration being Adele.
A proud student of the artform, under the tutelage of artistes like Preedy, Nailah Blackman, Patrice Roberts and Voice, Jalessa says she loves Soca music and thinks colourful language has no place in the genre. It’s a topic that is fast becoming a cause for concern according to some, this as more artistes experiment with the inclusion of expletives in their music. “I do not support colourful language in Soca. It’s unnecessary and I don’t think it should be used in our music – music that we are sharing with the world,” said the youngster. “I think Soca is a different type of music, from anything else. Music is generally a vibe. It’s therapy for people – our music is all about dancing, freeing up, dressing up in costumes and being happy; it’s happy music,” she added.
Her groovy soca single, ‘Freedom,’ a true expression of her personality and what she wants the world to know about the land of her birth, Jalessa Lazarus continues to reach for the stars, all while drawing awareness to serious issues. “I want to take the time to extend hope and prayers to anyone who’s dealing with any type of cancer this month and everyday onward. God is always with you,” she said.
Rooted in her culture and diligently focused on her future, Lazarus plans on releasing an EP and says even though she will sit out competitions in 2027, she will return after the completion of her CXC exams. Her mother, Phylesha meanwhile expressed immense pride in her daughter’s commitment and took a moment to thank Teddy Rhymes for his support and encouragement. “I don’t think she will be going back into junior competitions but we are looking beyond exams and I want to especially thank Teddy for believing in Jalessa and encouraging her.”
For more on Jalessa Lazarus, follow her on her on Instagram @jalessa_lazarus.
