Ebuzz News
Archived: Trinidad and Tobago Furious over Launch of Michael B Jordan’s ‘J’ouvert Rum.’
He may be a well loved actor by Caribbean people around the world but today, Trinidad and Tobago’s people are kicking up against the launch of a rum by ‘Creed’ and ‘Black Panther’ actor, Michael B Jordan. He has coined the new liquor, ‘J’ouvert Rum!’
No… Trinbagonians are not happy at all.
Overnight, as the actor and his team launched the rum, voices began to erupt in utter shock and disgust for what some referred to as the blatant ‘theft’ of a Trinbagonian term that, while not trademarked, is well known worldwide as a creative piece of terminology for the Carnival festival’s pre-dawn, dirty Mas tradition.
Distinguishably packaged to include a small bottle of Trinidad and Tobago’s Angostura bitters, the launch night token for guests, which was set in a wooden box, held in its engraving, the true essence of the new Rum’s origin. “Derived from the Antillean Creole French term meaning Daybreak, J’ouvert originated in the pre-dawn streets of Trinidad as celebrations of Emancipation combined with Carnival season to serve as the festival’s informal commencement. Crafted on those same islands, J’ouvert Rum is a tribute to the party start,” it reads.
Frantically, some took to social media calling on Trinidad and Tobago’s government to intervene. Radio personality, Abeo Jackson emotionally wrote, “Trinis we eh fed up of ppl seeing the value of we ting more than we? So much so that many attempts at theft/columbusing/appropriation/neocolonial capitalism happens continuously under our noses. How we protecting and gate keeping? Sometimes we need to effect same for our “own” who would sell “us” upriver for a buck.”
The popular US actor was surrounded by friends and international influencers on Saturday night as he launched the J’ouvert rum, all of whom celebrated his entrepreneurial move.
Beauty and lifestyle “guru,” Khat Brim wrote, “There was no better way to celebrate #Juneteenth than with friends and fam witnessing the launch of a new black owned business✊🏿💯 I’m so proud of my brah brah @michaelbjordan as he continues to raise the bar high! I know for sure he’s making our ancestors proud with every great achievement🙌🏾 Therefore, I salute him & his entire team on the release of @jouvertrum 🥃🚀 #letsgo #blackboyjoy.”
Caribbean Buzz
Terri Lyons Expands. Artiste Shows Immense Creativity on New RC Mas Monday Wear.
There’s no box to be held in. Terri Lyons is proving that as she moves into the Monday Wear market, partnering with RC Mas ahead of Carnival 2027.
The reigning Calypso Monarch Queen of Trinidad and Tobago and multiple time Queen of Queens, on Thursday, revealed her creative ability in the mas making sector, sharing her design, ‘Purple Paradise’ – a carefully created design that’s all hers.
The entertainer told Ebuzztt she had the idea and went to the masterful, Kinaji Couture, admitting that Kinaji is a force in the market. “She does a lot of bathing suits and prototypes for bands locally, regionally and further abroad. I knew she could do it and she did execute it perfectly. I just added the flowers,” said Lyons.
In 2027, RC Mas will bring Mystical Garden to life and with the band’s theme considered, Lyons’ floral embellishment makes it abundantly clear that her creativity is disciplined and mindful. She shared her process exclusively with Ebuzztt, highlighting the time taken to design with pen and paper before sharing with Kinaji who brought it all together seamlessly. “This was a lot of work. I sat and drew it all out and I stuck every flower and the diamond studs myself,” said Terri, before adding, “I ain’t doing that again,” with a laugh. The artiste said she’ll have extra hands on board to assist in future.
CHECK OUT HER PROCESS HERE
Ebuzz News
The Caribbean Mourns the Passing of Sir Garfield Sobers.
