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.”
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Caribbean Buzz
Destra Delivers Powerfully at Reflections.
“If this sharing that I’m doing touches anyone, I’m truly grateful. None of us are perfect. Some days you’ll feel good, some days you won’t, but it’s all part of the journey. Sometimes what you’re looking for is right on the horizon, and the moment you give up, you miss it. If my testimony makes anyone feel something, then my work here is done.” – DESTRA GARCIA
Trinidad and Tobago received a musical showcase of spiritual awakening yet again this past Saturday, at Destra’s ‘Reflections: Sound. Spirit. Surrender.” The event took place at Queen’s Hall, St. Ann’s and proved to be a truly inspiring and uplifting musical experience.
From the onset, the show set a standard that fans of good music with powerful lyrics, would rave about for weeks. David Rudder – a cultural icon of Calypso music out of Trinidad and Tobago, welcomed the audience as he hit the stage first delivering the very fitting, ‘High Mas.’ It was a powerful blessing no doubt – something that would lead into a seamless spiritual production. He was subsequently joined on stage by Destra, something that created a full-circle moment that drew immediate emotion from the audience.
Known for her unmistakeable vocal ability, Destra took her audience on a carefully curated musical journey, opening her set with Free Again before transitioning into slowed-down, soul-stirring renditions of some of her most beloved songs, including Love Somebody and Fly and with each performance, she revealed a different layer of her artistry, offering vulnerability, reflection, and strength.
One of the night’s most touching highlights came as Garcia shared the stage with her daughter, Xaiya, for a heartfelt duet of The Prayer. Beginning at the piano, Xaiya gently set the tone before joining her mother in song, creating an intimate moment that resonated deeply with the audience.
The production, which was creatively directed by Zara Bartels and Isoke Edwards, also showcased the incredible talent of father and son pan duo Martin and De’jean Cain as well as the Maria Regina Grade School and St. Joseph’s Convent Port- of- Spain choirs, whose vibrant and polished performances brought a refreshing, youthful energy to the stage. Gospel artiste, Nisa joined Garcia for a powerful duet of Bridge Over Troubled Water. She also performed her original composition Make Me Over, adding another layer of spiritual depth to the evening.
As the show built toward its finale, Garcia delivered a commanding rendition of Ella Andall’s Bring Down the Power, followed by classic hymns including A Little More Oil in My Lamp. This climactic segment was elevated by the presence of traditional belle dancers and African drummers, creating a rich, cultural fusion that brought the audience to its feet. Beyond the performances, the overall production, brought to life through Bridgette Wilson’s choreography and Atiba Borde’s costuming, stood out for its seamless execution, immersive ambience, and thoughtful storytelling, reinforcing Reflections as more than just a concert, but a transformative experience.
Reflections certainly delivered a powerful blend of music, filled with deep messages and meaning. In what is a very spiritual season, Destra, through the delivery of ‘Reflections,’ has carved out a space for inspiration and connection within Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural landscape – something that many would agree, is a necessity more than an option.
Caribbean Buzz
Belize’s Shyne, Talks Culture and Governance at Island Music Conference. Challenges Caribbean Leaders.
Belizean political leader and notable Hip Hop figure , The Honourable, Dr. Moses “Shyne” Barrow has identified Jamaica as a regional blueprint for how culture and governance can work together to build sustainable industry.
Delivering a keynote address entitled, ‘From Stage to State’ at the Island Music Conference (IMC) in Kingston, Jamaica last week, Barrow urged Caribbean governments to move beyond symbolic support of the arts and toward structured public–private partnerships.
“These conferences are so very important,” he told delegates, describing information exchange as critical in an evolving global music economy. Responding to a question from Overtime Media about cultural influence as an economic engine, Barrow pointed to Jamaica’s global footprint. “The work of great musicians such as Bob Marley and Shabba Ranks, as well as the development of Reggae and Dancehall music, has done more for the Jamaican tourism product than anything else,” he said.
PHOTO: Overtime Media.
According to Barrow, Jamaica exemplifies how successive political administrations, despite partisan rivalry, maintained consistent implementation policies that enabled private-sector investment in the music industry. “They were fighting each other, but giving the same implementation,” he noted, crediting that alignment for helping Jamaican music achieve unmatched global recognition.“There is no one in the world who does not know about Jamaica — its music, its food and its culture,” he noted.
Barrow framed his own political evolution as rooted in Hip Hop’s entrepreneurial DNA. Calling his transition from performer to legislator “quintessential Hip-Hop,” he cited moguls who expanded beyond music into business and influence, arguing that creative thinkers belong in positions of power. “We belong in parliament. We belong in the cabinet. We belong in the Prime Minister’s office and in the President’s office,” he said. He also addressed emerging challenges facing the creative sector, particularly artificial intelligence and intellectual property protection.“We need to protect our rights. We need to protect our work and that can only be legislated,” Barrow warned. “If we don’t get involved in the legislative process, we’re going to wake up one day and find that our rights are gone.”
Calling the human mind “the greatest thing on planet Earth,” he cautioned against over-reliance on technology, stressing that creatives must remain central to innovation. Reflecting candidly on his past, including a decade of incarceration following a 1999 nightclub shooting, Barrow described his return to Belize as a shift toward service. “By then, my dreams had already come true,” he said. “But when I looked around my country, I saw people still struggling. So I chose a life of service.”
Barrow also revealed plans to return to the stage with a world tour marking the 25th anniversary of his debut album, while reaffirming his commitment to public service. Closing his address, he challenged Caribbean leaders to diversify the profiles of those shaping legislation.“The Caribbean’s creative class has already shaped global culture,” he said. “Now we must shape policy.”
– NIGEL TELESFORD / Overtime Media.
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