Caribbean Buzz
Trinidad and Tobago’s Solomon’s Bespoke Is Vybz Kartel’s Official Suit Designer.
The world is watching as the Caribbean’s collective superpowers unite to deliver style, music and professionalism. On December 31st, globally recognized Jamaican dancehall artiste, Adidja Palmer- best known as Vybz Kartel, wore a signature suit, tailored to the highest standard, as he mounted the stage at his highly anticipated return concert, in Jamaica. Freedom Street, the first major concert appearance by the entertainer in 13- years, was not only a pivotal moment for the artiste, but certainly the Trinidad and Tobago menswear designer who outfitted for the occasion.
In Trinidad, just weeks prior to the anticipated event, the dancehall artiste arrived on business. The launch of his Straight Vybz Rum, a collaborative business venture with Trinidad and Tobago’s House of Angostura led to an unexpected meeting with menswear designer, Abraham Hadeed and his team at Solomon’s Bespoke. “I received a call from the Chairman of Angostura, Terrence Bharath, on the morning after the artiste’s arrival in Trinidad,” explained Hadeed. Over the years, executives at the company, and many other corporate executives, parliamentarians and men within the legal fraternity, have turned to Solomon’s Bespoke for the suits that fit well and look even better. “They requested that Solomon’s Bespoke outfit Vybz Kartel on short notice; They didn’t have the confidence that any other design house could deliver within the short space of time.”
For Hadeed, rising to such a challenge was not uncommon, but this time around, he knew the need for complete privacy was essential. “I closed the store for half of the day and we outfitted him with two suits. He chose the ones he wanted, we made minor tailoring adjustments, ensuring that the fit was perfect and we completed the looks with shoes and the ties he needed,” said Hadeed.
When the Jamaican entertainer left Solomon’s Bespoke’s De Verteuil Street, Woodbrook location, Hadeed did not imagine what would happen next. “On the following day, ahead of the launch of the Straight Vybz Rum, I was contacted for two additional suits for the artiste. Needless to say, we made it happen. He got what he wanted and he was quite happy.”
Vybz Kartel and his team, satisfied with the products’ quality, service, fit and the attention to detail, proceeded to engage Solomon’s Bespoke for the immediate future. “Because of the service he received while in Trinidad, Solomon’s Bespoke is now Vybz Kartel’s official suit designer. We did the suit he wore at his Freedom Street concert in Jamaica on New Year’s Eve and there are some exciting developments taking place internationally,” Hadeed said.
The opportunity, derived from a simple request, is something that has generated tremendous regional and international attention to Solomon’s Bespoke. “We had over two million views on our Instagram platform after we shared the videos of the artiste’s consultation and fitting. Above everything else we’re happy to provide a service that was completely satisfactory to the client and his team,” said Hadeed.
The Trinidad and Tobago menswear brand prides itself on supplying the highest quality suits to its clients. “Our ready-made suits are imported from Italy and Turkey and our Bespoke suits are made in Hong Kong. These are created with the finest quality fabrics,” reiterated Hadeed.
He says the experience with Vybz Kartel has been a very pleasant one and now more than ever he looks forward to sharing his knowledge and educating young men on the importance of dressing well.
“He was quite receptive, quite interested with what he saw and he was happy with what was going on, without interruptions from the outside.” Hadeed now anticipates dressing more young men, sharing simple details about dressing well, as someone who has been in the business for over 40 years. “What I’ve realized is that due to much misinformation, many young men really do not know what a suit is supposed to look like when fitted properly. When they come to me, I explain everything about the fit, collar, sleeves. It’s something that I enjoy doing and I think we will do an educational campaign on it, specifically targeting young men, soon.” Passionate about the work that his company does, Abraham Hadeed insists that above all else, four things are important in the business of menswear. “Fabric is important, fit is important, detailing is important and matching for the specific client is important because everything isn’t for everyone,” he shared.
With more eyes now on the Solomon’s Bespoke brand in Trinidad and Tobago, Hadeed makes it clear that while his company affords clients high end, often high-priced Bespoke suits, there are cost-effective options at his store. “People often view us as a very expensive outfit, but we do have a lot of affordable suits as well, and we custom tailor these suits to make them all look very expensive. It’s how it’s tailored and how it fits that matters most,” he explained, adding, “Being able to buy according to what you can afford and having it properly tailored to fit well, is what we do.”
Caribbean Buzz
Kes The Band’s ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour Concludes with Sold-Out International Success.
Kes the Band has officially concluded its highly acclaimed Roots, Rock, Soca Tour, marking another groundbreaking moment in the band’s remarkable journey. The international tour captivated audiences across the United Kingdom, Europe and North America – making history as the first Soca act to sell-out stadium shows in the United States and to sell out the RBC Amphitheater in Toronto, Canada with 16,000 fans.
The tour featured sold-out shows in major music cities such as London, Vancouver, Los Angeles, New York, and its final stop in Toronto – with thousands of fans gathering night after night to experience the signature sound, musicianship, and infectious energy that have made KestheBand one of the Caribbean’s most influential live acts.
The ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour became a celebration of culture, connection, and community. Each performance in the concert series showcased the band’s ability to transcend borders and generations, bringing together audiences from diverse backgrounds through music rooted in Caribbean identity. With energetic performances spanning storied venues such as Forest Hills Stadium in New York and The Bellwether in California, Kes the Band continues to cement its place in history as an enduring, generational force that bridges rhythms, unites audiences, and elevates the heartbeat of Caribbean culture in communities across global borders.
Led by charismatic frontman Kees Dieffenthaller, the band’s world-class lineup includes Dean Jameson drums, Jon Dieffenthaller on guitar, Riad Boochoon on bass, Mario Callender and Geiron Mangon keyboards, and Robert ‘Robbie Styles’ Persaud on DJ and Ableton. Together, they delivered dynamic performances that combined exceptional musicianship with the unmistakable spirit that has become synonymous with KestheBand.
Adding to the excitement throughout the tour were a number of memorable surprise guest appearances from some of soca’s most celebrated artists, including Coutain, Lady Lava, Barbados Soca legend Edwin Yearwood, Iwer George, London’s Haile of WSTRN, Haitian singer J Perry, and Ravi B. Their appearances created unforgettable moments for fans while highlighting the camaraderie and creative excellence that continue to define Caribbean music.
The overwhelming response to the tour underscores Kes the Band’s continued evolution from a beloved Caribbean band to a truly global cultural ambassador. Across every city, audiences embraced the music, creating an atmosphere that reflected the growing international appreciation for soca and Caribbean artistry.
Photo: Jono Hirst.
As the curtain closes on the Roots, Rock, Soca Tour, Kes the Band is already focused on the next chapter. The band will soon return to the studio to begin work on new music for an upcoming album, continuing its tradition of pushing creative boundaries while staying true to the sound that has resonated with fans around the world.
The momentum also continues for Kes the Band on stage over Labor Day Weekend as the iconic group takes the stage at the DC Jazz Festival (DCJF), one of the United States’ premier music festivals, taking place September 2–6, 2026. Following the band’s debut on NPR Tiny Desk in the capital of the United States earlier this year, the band continues to expand its reach and introduce Caribbean music to new audiences on some of the world’s most respected stages.
With decades of groundbreaking music, unforgettable live performances, and an unwavering commitment to cultural excellence, Kes the Band continues to redefine what’s possible for Caribbean artists on the global stage. The success of the Roots, Rock, Soca Tour is both a celebration of an extraordinary series of performances and a defining chapter in the band’s enduring legacy, setting the stage for an exciting new era of music and global performances.
Caribbean Buzz
Charly Black, Kevin Lyttle Release ‘Summer Banger’ Produced by Global Hitmaker, Walshy Fire.
Two of the Caribbean’s most legendary hitmakers have joined forces for what is shaping up to be one of the Caribbean’s biggest records of the year.
Dancehall superstar Charly Black, whose global smash “Gyal You A Party Animal” has amassed more than one billion streams worldwide, joins forces with St. Vincent Soca hit maker, Kevin Lyttle, whose timeless international hit “Turn Me On” has generated hundreds of millions of streams. That single remains one of the most recognizable Caribbean songs ever recorded.
The single, “Island Ting,” unites the music of Jamaica and St. Vincent & The Grenadines, celebrating the beauty, confidence, and irresistible energy of island women. More than just a song, “Island Ting” is a celebration of the Caribbean, its vibrant diaspora, and everyone around the world who embraces the region’s unmatched culture, music, and love of celebration.
Blending irresistible Dancehall and Soca influences with an unmistakable tropical vibe, the record is poised to become the soundtrack of the summer, says a media release issued.
Produced by well known international producer, Walshy Fire, with the instrumental crafted by acclaimed producer Jason Julian, “Island Ting” is already making waves across the streaming landscape. The single has secured significant editorial playlist support from Apple Music and Spotify, with Spotify further backing the release through premium placement on its coveted Mobile Home Banner – one of the platform’s most prominent promotional spaces for new music.
Industry insiders are already tipping “Island Ting” as one of the Caribbean’s defining songs of the summer, with momentum expected to carry through Notting Hill Carnival, into Trinidad Carnival 2027, and beyond. From beach parties and festivals to clubs, radio, and playlists around the world, the record has all the ingredients of a timeless Caribbean anthem.
“Island Ting” is available now on all major streaming and digital platforms.
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Caribbean Buzz6 days agoCharly Black, Kevin Lyttle Release ‘Summer Banger’ Produced by Global Hitmaker, Walshy Fire.
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Caribbean Buzz3 days agoKes The Band’s ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour Concludes with Sold-Out International Success.
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