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.
Music News
Vybz Kartel To Headline Reggae Sumfest This Year, Alongside Mavado. New Album, ‘God & Time’ Set for June Release.
One of the most influential artists in dancehall history, Vybz Kartel, marks a defining new chapter with his forthcoming album God & Time, slated for release June 5th, 2026.
In recent weeks, dancehall artiste, Vybz Kartel has been receiving some backlash online after sharing videos of himself wearing a bonnet while dancing in his underwear and a robe. The noise increased after he shared it a second time, almost taunting his detractors and making it clear that he is rich and does not care for the unsolicited comments of naysayers. Fast forward days later and like magic, the artiste’s pre-album release publicity stunt ushers in the release of his forthcoming album God & Time, set for a June 5th release. Kartel ain’t no fool.
The upcoming album is symbolic for the artiste who spent 13 years behind bars in Jamaica and was only released in 2024. It is being touted as his most personal and sonically expansive body of work since his release. The album will span genres and features an all star lineup of artistes including, Puerto Rican superstar Farruko, Jamaica’s Skillibeng, and Shenseea, with more artistes to be included.
In a media release, it is highlighted that throughout God & Time, Vybz Kartel moves seamlessly between personal reflections, hard-hitting dancehall anthems, sensual records for the ladies, genre-bending crossover records, and rare moments of vulnerability. It adds that it is inspired by the Jamaican expression “God & Time”—rooted in faith, patience, and destiny—and reflects the artiste’s survival, rebirth, and creative freedom.
The title track evokes the same introspective tone as Kartel’s most streamed post-release hit “God Is The Greatest,” which has surpassed 30 million video views year-to-date.
Produced by longtime collaborator TJ Records alongside Kartel, the album reunites the creative team behind Viking (Vybz Is King) (2015) and King of the Dancehall (2016), which included the RIAA Gold-certified hit “Fever.” God & Time will be released via TJ Records / Vybz Kartel Muzik and distributed by Zojak World Wide.
In support of the new album, Vybz Kartel will headline Reggae Sumfest on July 18th, alongside Mavado, reuniting two dancehall icons whose rivalry defined the genre throughout the 2000s in a landmark moment for Jamaican music and culture.
Ebuzz News
Denise Belfon Thanks Drake’s ‘OVO’ Team for Inclusion of Her ‘Work’ on New Track.
Canadian rapper, Drake is once again teaming up with Caribbean entertainers, delivering a brand new album called, ‘Maid of Honor,’ which is now available on all streaming platforms. It was one of three albums the artiste simultaneously dropped on May 15th – the other two being ICEMAN and HABIBTI.
One of the singles on ‘Maid of Honor,’ called ‘BBW’ features the work of Trinidad and Tobago entertainer, Denise ‘Saucy Wow’ Belfon – her 1998 track, ‘Work.’
The lyrics, ‘Put Yuh Back in It’ became a trending expression on TikTok in 2020 when it became a challenge on the popular platform. That viral opportunity six years ago, led to the song’s resurgence and Belfon’s name being called by younger generations whose parents, aunts and uncles would’ve more than likely grown up on her music and performances in the Caribbean. Fast forward to 2026, and Belfon is once again enjoying a viral moment as news broke that her song had been sampled by Drake. “Everything is legitimate and I want to thank the team – Fabian Alfonso, a copyright specialist out of Trinidad and Tobago ; He was very instrumental in making this deal become reality, said Belfon in a chat with Ebuzztt, before expressing gratitude to several other instrumental people, and Drake’s OVO team.
In 2022, dancehall artiste, Shenseea and rapper, Megan Thee Stallion also sampled ‘Work’ on the single, ‘Lick.’ Belfon, who lives in New York, had, at that time, attended a release party at a nightclub in New York, where Shenseea acknowledged the Soca artiste’s influence on the new release.
The Maid of Honor album delivers 14 singles and added to T&T’s Denise Belfon, Jamaican artiste, Popcaan is also featured on a single called, ‘Amazing Shape.’
Denise Belfon’s personality and charisma has, for a very long time, made her a fan favorite in the Caribbean. A vocal powerhouse and unique stage performer, she has stood the test of time in the Soca music industry, having created massive soca anthems like ‘Work,’ ‘Wine and Bend Over’ and ‘Wining Queen’ among countless other flavorful singles.
