Ebuzz News
Three Of Chutney Music’s Greatest To Be Honored.
Paying homage to creatives in Trinidad and Tobago’s culture is something that one major promotional outfit holds fast to. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Randy Glasgow Productions, through their Chutneyland 2020 event, paid tribute to leading East Indian choreographer and dancer, Nigel Salickram. As the RGP team prepares for 2023, three of the chutney music industry’s finest music producers will be honored.
“It is tremendously important for those who dedicate their lives to making others happy through music, culture and the arts, to understand that we appreciate them,” said Glasgow. He believes music producers like Zaheer ‘Big Rich’ Khan of the Pungalunks factory, Rishi Mahato of Maha Productions and Rishi Gayadeen, are deserving of sincere recognition. “We will pay tribute to these gentlemen who, year in, year out, contribute the music we need to make our events within our carnival, a major success. Without them, what would our festival be?” he quizzed.
Big Rich is a consummate example of true success in the business. With no formal training in music, the Princess Town native who later moved to Couva, went from creating Indian dub cassette mixes to touring as a result, then to landing a job on radio, and finally to becoming a music producer. He’s made an indelible mark on the industry, creating some of chutney music’s biggest hits, among them ‘Radica’ sung by Kenneth Salick, Hunter’s ‘Jep Sting Naina,’ and Ravi B’s ‘Ah Drinker.’
Rishi Mahato of Maha Productions has been in the business for many years, and he too has worked with some of the Caribbean music industry’s most credited entertainers, among them Machel Montano, SuperBueFay Ann Lyons, Iwer George, Nishard M and even dancehall artistes, Konshens and Tommy Lee. Mahatoo won several regional titles in the last ten years.
The third producer to be honored is Rishi Gayadeen. He has proudly created and recorded music for world renowned artistes in the Soca, Chutney Soca, traditional Chutney, Parang, Soca Parang, and Dancehall genres. His musical knowledge dates back to his childhood, having been inducted into his father’s band, The Guyatones, from the age of 12. At 22-years-old, he became the band’s leader. Rishi Gayadeen is known to be a multi-talented musician, capable of performingperfectly at any given moment, for any artiste, in any genre of music.
For Randy Glasgow, the decision to honor these three musical minds, was an easy one. “Their worth to our industry is immeasurable and we must treat them as such,” said Glasgow.
On Saturday, February 11th, the Brian Lara Cricket Academy will host the 2023 edition of Chutneyland, and on stage, three of chutney music’s greatest producers will be honored. “This will be one of the biggest events in Carnival. We guarantee it! What better stage to honor the greats than among their fans and supporters of the music? We can’t wait!,” said Glasgow.
Ebuzz News
100 Days To T&T Carnival – Big Launch, Big Vibes to Hit Port of Spain, this Friday.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Greatest Show on Earth has, for years, been a tourist attraction. With 100 days to go before the two-day street parade in Port-of-Spain, the excitement is steadily building and with momentum, the National Carnival Commission is moving full speed ahead.
Carnival 2026 will be publicly launched at the Brian Lara Promenade on Friday, November 7th. The NCC, in a media release said the spectacle will begin at 9am and go through the day, transforming the city’s hub into an active thoroughfare featuring all things T&T carnival. Th event will feature traditional Carnival characters, informative workshops and exhibitions, a mini concert from reigning Panorama champions, Republic Bank Exodus Steel Orchestra, and much more. “In bringing Carnival to the city, we’re hoping to bring people to the city to come out and show their support for the culture, for the NCC, the Special Interest Groups, the vendors and small business community, and the Regional Carnivals because we’re all part of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival,” said NCC Chairman, Peter Kanhai.
TEACHING THE YOUTH ABOUT CARNIVAL
This year, the NCC will introduce something they’re calling, “The Children’s Zone,” where school children and their parents and guardians will be able to experience a distinct youth-oriented energy to Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival. The zone will feature cultural exhibitions, displays, giveaways and more, even offering youths the opportunity to pen a ‘Love Letter to Carnival.’ “School children would be invited to write what it is they love about Trinidad and Tobago Carnival for a mural that will be displayed at the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah for Carnival next year,” the press release explained.
At 4pm, a concert will engage the public with performances by Swappi, Terri Lyons, Orlando Octave, Ravi B, Drupatee, Shal Marshall, Erphaan Alves and other featured cultural acts.
Back in August, at the corporate launch of Carnival, Minister of Culture, the Arts and Community Development, Michelle Benjamin, shared her ministry’s vision for carnival.
Ebuzz News
Bob Marley Foundation to Jamaica: “We’ll Rise Again.”
What has been described by the National Hurricane Centre as the most catastrophic hurricane of 2026 – Hurricane Melissa, has moved past Jamaica and now moves onward to Cuba and neighboring territories. In the aftermath of the brutal natural disaster, videos across social media show fallen trees, massive swells, invasive water courses through streets and byways and certainly, infrastructural wreckage. The people of Jamaica, though resilient, are in need of strength and aid to rebuild.
The Bob Marley Foundation and the Bob Marley Museum, in a social media post said despite having gone through the hurricane, “we’re still standing.” The honorary organizations that stand in memory of Jamaica’s most loved icon, Bob Marley, relayed via social media, “The winds may have shaken us, but they could never break our spirit.” Noting that the journey to rebuild will not be an overnight one, the post read, “but together, we’ll rise again- stronger, more united and full of love.”
Consistent in the Marley legacy’s tone and posture of love and unity, the expression continued, “We can’t wait to spread the message of peace and love with you once more and help in whatever way we can. Until then, hold on to hope and remember – every little thing is gonna be alright.”
The government of Jamaica has created an official digital platform for information, and for the global community’s input where relief and assistance is concerned.
Visit https://supportjamaica.gov.jm. The website lists a preliminary needs list, which includes items such as batteries, bedding foam, flashlights, lanterns, mattresses, pillowcases, pillows, mobile storage units, heavy duty garbage bags and certainly much more.
