Caribbean Buzz
This T&T Producer’s Shaking Up The Biz, with Knowledge.
Keturah Gamba, Boss Kitty, Incline, 1Muz and Blacka are just a few of the artistes who recently unleashed a ton of vibes in music, to Trinidad and Tobago’s entertainment scene. They’ve all been strategically placed on a project that was designed specifically for this time. It’s also been crafted by a music mastermind, Randal Alexander of PengCo Music Records.
Alexander and each of these artistes he’s placed on the ‘Riddim Up’ project, have aligned in a more meaningful way than ever before. In 2021, amid the pandemic, and with no sign of revival for the entertainment industry, PengCo Music Records orchestrated a plan that would see some of the best talent reeled in. Alexander penetrated the recording market by encouraging artistes to get into his studio at the most affordable price – $999TTD. That offer, which came complete with industry standard recording and the expert advice of his internal team, brought artistes from all walks of life, to PengCo Music’s studio. “I’ve done almost 300 recordings in the past year. I’ve met a lot of good people, talented people; And in meeting these people, I realized that there’s a disconnect between creating and selling,” said Alexander.
A business minded individual with tremendous capacity to analyze and dissect situations, the music CEO dove into action. He said he noticed that many artistes would blame everybody but themselves after choosing to release their music, and place links on Facebook without much added, strategic marketing and promotion. Upon realizing the error, he said the opportunity came for him to be a guidance counselor to these artistes.
Alexander says he’s been able to listen to and advise each of the artistes he’s worked with, on the most effective plan of action for their music. “When I began coaching them, many of these artistes began seeing the value in certain things,” he said. He explained that it was at that point that he gathered people with expertise in graphic design, public relations and even videography to bridge the divide between the recording studio and the market that these artistes were targeting.
The ‘Riddim Up’ project is one of PengCo Music Records’ offerings coming out of the pandemic’s restriction period in Trinidad and Tobago. He said a lot of time and thought has gone into digital streaming as an effective tool for artistes under his umbrella. “I believe the internet and all of its resources is where the future is and as a country, I think it’s very important for us to maintain and broaden our scope on the utilization of it,” said the producer.
“I believe the internet and all of its resources is where the future is and as a country, I think it’s very important for us to maintain and broaden our scope on the utilization of it.”
Randal Alexander
In a time when the world at large is reeling from the economic instability caused by the pandemic, and the Russia/Ukraine war, Randal Alexander says it will be a slow but gradual return to normalcy for the entertainment sector in T&T. “The entertainment audience isn’t going to take their grocery money to buy a ticket for a show. We must face the reality. Entertainment will only be left for residual income. The cost of living has gone up and people are working on old salaries,” he said, adding that for now, knowledge about digital streaming is feasible for all artistes in the entertainment industry. “The consumption of digital products has taken off and exploded. I think that the shift from live to digital, until live catches up again, is where our focus should be,” he said.
Caribbean Buzz
SVG Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonzales Intrigued by T&T’s Yung Bredda.
To say he was intrigued, is an understatement. An interaction between the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and young T&T sensation, Yung Bredda, has now gone viral and the look of adoration and hope on the face of Prim Minister, Dr. Gonzales speaks volumes.
Trinidad and Tobago has ushered in a new dawn with a shining example of youthful leadership and promise, in Akhenaton Lewis – the artiste known as Yung Bredda. He met Prime Minister Gonzalves on Monday as he arrived in the West Indian territory, sharing his musical gift and bringing a smile to the face of the CARICOM nation’s leader.
The interaction, shared by Dr. Gonzalves via social media, has since been shared multiple times across the internet, proving to be a truly proud moment for many who have been following the 24-year-old’s career and genuinely rooting for him. “From Sealots to the Prime Minister’s house,” one fan commented, reflecting on Lewis’ journey thus far, and highlighting his rise from the humblest of beginnings, having been born and raised in one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most unsung communities.
In the video, Yung Bredda is heard singing his 2025 hit single, ‘Greatest Bend Over’ before delving into his 2025 Calypso Monarch contender, ‘We Rise,’ which brought him the 3rd place prize in the competition on March 2nd. “That is the whole of society, everybody. We all do our part. Not just individualism. People working together and doing it in love,” said Dr. Gonzalves to the entertainer as he completed his brief rendition. It was a moment to be remembered.
Yung Bredda has had a phenomenal run over the past few months, jumping out of Carnival 2025 in Trinidad and Tobago on an extremely sturdy pedestal. He traveled to Canada last weekend, performing at Return Fete, before heading to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Caribbean Buzz
5 Reasons We’d Recommend YUMA For The Carnival Thrill Everyone Deserves.
Trinidad and Tobago’s 2025 Carnival season was pretty much a blockbuster movie – a critically acclaimed experience that nobody could’ve possibly been truly prepared for. Three months of full-fledged, hyper-energetic ecstasy culminated with the traditional mas on the road experience that many travel from parts far and wide to enjoy, annually. This year, YUMA provided an experience for not only seasoned masqueraders, but many newcomers who’ve already co-signed with friends and family, to do it again, and again, and again.
1. COSTUME DESIGN AND QUALITY:
For quite a number of years, the YUMA brand has maneuvered the carnival landscape, with its designers like Rawle Permanand and Marie Collette, delivering exquisite costumes for the road. This year was no different. The costume quality and beauty stood effectively, leaving very little, if anything more to be desired. The band’s ‘Echoes of IERE’ theme featured sections like Marie Collette’s ‘Poui’ in a choice of a vivacious hot pink or an eye-catching bright yellow. Collette herself paraded the streets of Port-of-Spain on Carnival Tuesday in the full hardline ensemble in her choice of bright yellow. The beauty and quality of her costume was unmistakeable. Other sections included Flambeaux, Hibiscus, Magnificent 7, Masala, Nariva, Riddim, Iere, Emperor, Echoes, Castara, Doux Doux Dahlin, Bucco and Bae-Go- rounding off the total street design showcase to 14. When it came time to show off and show out, the vibrance of the intricate designs and captivating kaleidoscope of colour, could not be ignored.
2. PROFESSIONALISM AND EFFICIENCY
Whether in part owed to its partnerships with brands like Digicel, Dasani, Hennessy, Johnnie Walker, Maybelline New York, Ocean Spray, VISA, Red Bull, Coca Cola, Shine Distributors, Skins, Hai Trim and Feathers, Carib, Jose Cuervo and Guinness, or simply its distinct and intentional effort to provide its masqueraders with the very best money can buy, YUMA once again delivered on customer satisfaction. From the costume collection where masqueraders received backpacks, which held a variety of goodies inside, inclusive of two branded aluminum cups and other necessities that would be appreciated for the road experience, and beyond, to the effort shown by drink attendants and security staff to minimize discomfort in any way, and of course, the detail and attention paid to their lunch stop, many basked in the YUMA vibe and professionalism throughout the two-day experience.
3. MUSIC SELECTION AND VIBE
Music selection is a big deal. The YUMA DJ selection proved top tier on Carnival Monday and Tuesday with the likes of Whitney Husbands, DJ Linx, Kevon X, Major Penny, DJ Jel, Selector Snappy and Deejay Kareem and others pleasing masqueraders with tunes from ‘tune land.’ Soca was the order and the DJs did not disappoint.
4. THE PEOPLE WHO BRING THE VIBE
YUMA has always been known to be the band of the superstars. This year was no different, with a slate of popular faces in the mix, inclusive of influencers like Anil and Kineta James, Neicey bwoss, model, Mela, Charlotte Wingham, Carnival Sabrina, cricketer, Dwayne Bravo, and others. Soca artistes like Jadel, Lyrikal, Lady Lava, Voice, The A Team Band and others were also a part of the vibe. “As an artiste, I can say the artistes were treated amazing. We got VISA bands for YUMA and I loved the fact that YUMA had The A Team band LIVE. That was so entertaining and masqueraders appreciated that so much. A lot of mas bands do not bring that live band element to the road and that live band on the road, did it for me,” Jadel told Ebuzztt. She also said the drinks truck was on point. “I had no problems with the drinks at all, the courtesies extended were amazing. The whole vibe- the energy was just love – love and happiness and unity,” she added.
5. READY- FOR- ANYTHING MASQUERADERS
With social media and trend-setting being the kill-joy for many in the carnival space, it would be remiss of us not to mention the fact that on the road, masquerading was the order in YUMA. While there were moments for the ‘gram’ and TikTok, this did not take away from the overall energy of the people on the road. Beautiful women, handsome men – all up for the thrill of the carnival roadshow experience, immersed themselves in the music of the season and showed off their effervescent nature, making it abundantly clear that YUMA just might be THE band to truly bring the VIBES, not just in 2025 but way into the years ahead.
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