Ebuzz News
Archived: Tribe Ice Gets Great Turnout. Machel Montano Still Running Things.
The carnival excitement is here. A short season means a rapid succession of fetes. Last weekend, on the heels of Scorch’s 1st Jam on New Year’s Day, EBUZZTT took on Tribe Ice at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain and as was expected, the masses made good of the invitation to fete till dawn.
In typical Tribe fashion, the venue was well laid out. Performances from Skinny Fabulous, Shal Marshall, Marzville, Lyrikal, Erphaan Alves, Voice and Marge Blackman and Patrice Roberts thrilled most and those who weren’t impressed probably didn’t have enough of those Patron shots that were being passed around, to wet their palate. Just saying.
Patrice Roberts’ body is banging.
Now, Patrice Roberts, rocking a lilac colored pixie cut and showing off her sexy physique, which made us all stop and wonder for a minute, was definitely the show stopper. Her confidence has taken off and with what some are calling the Road March anthem in her back pocket, the young Soca mom killed it when she stepped on stage to belt out “Criminal Wine” with Lyrikal. He too had a pretty good set, and with Voice following a short time later, the crowd was given a great sense of what’s to come at fetes this season.
Erphaan Alves is having a phenomenal season. His song, “OverDue” is a crowd favorite.
Tribe’s events have always attracted the young and impressionable. The DJs have however, continuously proven that they have a pretty limited appreciation for the amazing cadre of soca artistes who, year after year, give the people so many powerful anthems to enjoy at fetes. This year, once again, the DJs couldn’t seem to cure themselves of the “Machelitis” they’ve been infected with for years. With a number of blockbuster 2018 anthems already being blazed on the urban airwaves, the DJs at Tribe Ice failed to effectively show the partying public that there are a smorgasbord of big tunes this season, including Road March champions, Ultimate Rejects’ “Vex”, “Whole Day” and “Inside De Festival,” and not forgetting new music from Destra Garcia who has give us a wicked Carnival hit in, “Gimme,” Ricardo Drue and Fay Ann Lyons’ collaboration on Drue’s Antigua Soca Monarch winning hit, “Another Level,” and even Shurwayne Winchester has a monster Road March contender in a track called, “Wi Carnival.”
The season is here. Shal Marshall, Patrice Roberts, Kees and Erphaan Alves are out the gates with tunes that have the public eating out of their hands, but once again, without the versatility of the DJ, a number of incredible soca anthems just won’t see the light of day. What say you? Share your thoughts on this in our comments section here at www.ebuzztt.com.
Ebuzz News
Jamaica’s Mavado to Receive Lifetime Award at IRAWMA Awards This Year.
David Brooks, best known as dancehall artiste, Mavado is set to be honored at this year’s 43rd International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA) awards on May 17th, in South Florida. He’ll be presented with the Special Lifetime Achievement Award which represents a celebration of resilience, dominance and legacy.
In a statement, the organizers noted that Mavado is known for his unmistakeable voice, global influence and cultural impact. “Mavado has transcended borders, elevating Dancehall to international acclaim,” the statement reads.
In addition to this night of IRAWMA’s celebration of excellence in reggae and world music, globally renowned dancehall superstar, VYBZ Kartel tops the list of more than 150 nominees with 11 nods, and competing against himself in some of the categories, he is followed by Sean Paul and Shaggy with 8 nominations, each.
On the female side, Spice, Lila Ike, and Shenseea tied with 5 nominations each. Hosted by a dynamic lineup including Comedian Dufton Shepherd, Marcia Jackson, and Oliver Mair, the evening promises electrifying performances, unforgettable tributes, and a room filled with icons, tastemakers, and industry leaders.
In a show of gratitude for his conscious musical contribution, Gramps Morgan will be recognized for his song “People Like You,” highlighted as the most outstanding Spiritually Uplifting Song since the new Millennium.Gramps will join a distinguished class of honorees including Burning Spear, Wayne Armond, and Awilo Longomba—each representing excellence across genres and generations.
Caribbean Buzz
The Bar Is Being Set. Flowers All Inclusive to Up The Game in Point Fortin, This Weekend.
It’s a brand new concept being brought to life, in Point Fortin, however its impact, according to organizers, is already proving immense. The annual Point Fortin Borough celebrations, culminates this weekend and on Sunday, an event with a bigger purpose at heart, is anticipated to draw a massive crowd to fete, for the greater good.
Naya George and Anson George spoke exclusively with Ebuzztt.com ahead of the all inclusive experience. They’re excited to see their vision come to life. Anson, a well known name on the carnival and entertainment circuit, is known for his strong involvement in the BeachHouse Carnival brand. “It’s going to be on par with BeachHouse,” he assured, asserting ‘Flowers’ as the new ‘must attend’ fete in Borough Day festivities. “There are other events happening on Sunday in Point Fortin but there’s no other event of this caliber, happening,” said Anson, explaining that a few tickets are still available for those who still want to get in.
For Naya, the effort is less about business, and more about purpose. “We are partying with a purpose. We want to let people know that this isn’t just about feting. This is the only party that’s happening in Point Fortin that’s giving back to Point Fortin,” he explained, adding that proceeds will go toward investment in the young people. “The first set of projects will be at the Point Fortin West Secondary School where the event is being held. We are going to revitalize the sports programme, playing field restoration, sporting equipment and that kind of stuff, to ensure the youths have a place to find themselves in the area of sports. Flowers is the premiere fund raiser to do these things,” said George.
Set to welcome fete lovers from 5pm on Sunday at the Point Fortin West Secondary School, Flowers will feature a cast of talented artistes, inclusive of Nadia Batson and Lyrikal. “We want to raise fund in style and with high quality at heart, hence the reason the event’s caliber is high. This is going to be a first for Point Fortin,” said Naya George.
The Point Fortin Borough experience is widely attended, with a series of cultural events leading up to the weekend of excitement that is anticipated by locals and visitors alike, each year. “Flowers has set the tone for the Borough Day evolution I think,” said Naya George. “Fusion came to an end last night,” noted Anson. He said the cultural extravaganza, which was similar to Carnival’s Flava Village, was a huge success and noted the wide variety of cultural traditions, shared between April 25th and April 30th. “If people can jump on a plane to experience Grenada carnival, we are certain they can come from West and North Trinidad to enjoy the Point Fortin Borough activities,” said Anson, making it clear that ahead of the upcoming weekend, hotel and guest house occupancy is already high.
“Borough is like a second carnival,” said Anson. He said there are fetes happening throughout the day on Friday. “When you come, you get a taste of everything you get in carnival. You get the fetes, the all inclusive, the jouvert, the street food, the culture,” he highlighted, and this year, for the very first time, fans of culture, creativity and altruism, will fete with purpose at Flowers – a distinct, top tier, premium all inclusive experience in the heart of the borough.
Tickets for the event are available online at Stacy’s House Of Hair – Point Fortin, Atherley’s By The Park – San Fernando, Terminal 4 – Long Circular Mall and online at theticketgeneral.com.
