Ebuzz News
T&T’s Budget Day is Here. UNITTY Campaign Launched to Aid in Curbing Crime. Will Government Do More?
Trinidad and Tobago’s government will announce its 2024 fiscal budget at 1:30pm today- October 2nd, 2023. It comes as the country continues to face a crime situation that many fear has affected international investment and foreign exchange earnings. On Friday, four children between the ages of 10 and 19, were laid to rest after being shot and killed at their Arima home one week earlier. There has been no arrest in the case.
With unceasing criminal activity taking place in a country once coined, ‘paradise’ by many of its nationals, both at home and abroad, there is a weight being carried by many citizens, that has become overbearing. Entertainer, Orlando Octave has stood resolute in his personal mission to use his celebrity and voice, to change the present situation though. Aided by two close friends and like-minded entertainment professionals, and engaging other artistes daily, Octave’s mission is becoming clearer with minute by minute.
Orlando, together with events professional, Jean Marc Aime and music producer, Randal Alexander of PengCo Music, have launched a campaign they call, UNITTY. Firmly leading the effort, Octave uses his spiritual enthusiasm and love for life and people to fuel his desire. Together with other Trinidad and Tobago creatives, such as Isasha, Erphaan Alves, Preedy, Jaron Nurse, DJ Lila and others, the mission to cleanse the minds of the country’s aggressors, is now underway.
“The overall mission is to curtail crime in our country- to give our young boys and girls a fighting chance,” explained Randal Alexander. A father himself, the super producer who has worked in the entertainment industry for many years, says he stands firmly in support of positive reinforcement. “What we would like to do is transform the media’s narrative, turning it from negative, to positive. The loudest noise is heard from a distance. If that noise is negative, a larger cross section of our society feeds on this negative noise. We must change that- flipping it from negative to positive,” he enforced.
Already, team UNITTY has produced a number of short interactive videos, engaging artistes on the topic of the crime epidemic that is sweeping through the land. In one of the videos, soca artiste Preedy, whose real name is, Akeem Chance, says he’s learnt that the most powerful words in the art of war is “I apologize.” “The problems and the solutions are right there,” he noted, mindfully telling the world that he will forever stand for unity. These videos have been making the rounds on social media, trickling into the subconscious of the people looking in.
Support for the initiative is tantamount to its overall success. “Our mission’s success is based on the amount of support we receive from people who have the resources to help – people who want to help,” said Alexander. Together with the core members of the team, Alexander revealed that a number of partners have shown interest and as such, a 100 day ‘POSITIVITY’ campaign has been launched. “This will be the forerunner to the main event – a coming together, a unifying and uplifting concert for change – a peace festival, which will take place at the close of the year.”
Radio stations and other media groups have been invited, and encouraged to partner on this tremendous undertaking. “This is no small feat. This has to be intentional. We also understand the importance of a covert approach, because our desire is not to turn the youth away,” said Alexander.
Trinidad and Tobago’s international reputation tarnished to a large extent, as a result of crime, Octave, Alexander, Aimey and so many others who’ve committed to the cause, say something must be done. “It’s better to try and fail than the alternative. This is our country. Our children and generations to come, will inherit our individual legacies, here, in this land. How can we stand by and watch this place, once considered Paradise, fall apart and not even try to create change?, he questioned.
Team UNITTY is calling on citizens, and corporations near and far, to take a leap of faith, in the name of little Faith and others like her. “They did not ask to be here. It is our job as parents, leaders, professionals, businessmen and women, to take care of them, provide a safe world for them, establish a no-nonsense approach to crime and criminal behavior. It can be done and it must be done. We must save our nation.”
To learn more about UNITTY, follow @codeisunitty on Instagram and to partner, call, 868-685-7364.
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.