Caribbean Buzz
Ultra Simmo and DJ Ana Named Belize ‘Culture Ambassadors.’
We bet you’ve heard of DJ Ana and Ultra Simmo. They’re a dynamic musical combination of selector and Mic man and they’ve been taking the world by storm. Based in Trinidad and Tobago, the pair have now been coined ‘cultural ambassadors’, not for Trinidad and Tobago, but, get this…. for Belize.
Belize carnival, like others across the region, had been on hold for the past two years, thanks to the pandemic, however this past September, the festivities took place. Simmo and Ana were invited to be apart of the excitement between September 19th and 22nd. The celebrations were reimagined with various festivals held at several locations throughout the country including a new “San Pedro Soca Festival,” which featured a Carnival Road March parade.
Hosted by Mayor Gualberto “Wally” Nunez of the San Pedro Town Council, DJ Ana and Ultra Simmo were the featured attractions for the country’s National Pre-Independence Day event on September 20th, along with the Carnival Road March parade and after party, held on September 21st. These celebrations took place on the heels of the Soca Fete held on September 17th, where Soca Queen Destra Garcia and her band were also featured.
“It has been an honour for us to be able to represent the culture of Trinidad and Tobago to the people of Belize. We were graciously hosted and are delighted that the people there are such enthusiasts of soca and calypso music. A special thank you to Mayor Nunez who believes in the strength of Caribbean music and performers, to leverage as part of their tourism efforts,” said DJ Ana.
The female DJ who travels extensively said together, she and Simmo have forged a new relationship with the people of San Pedro and Belize and will continue to develop it to benefit of the performers of Trinidad and Tobago, while lending assistance to the development of Belize’s DJs and artistes in the coming years. “We will continue to represent Trinidad and Tobago on the world stage as it further promotes the richness of our people and culture,” said Ultra Simmo.
Over 8,000 locals and tourists attended the performances and lapped up the duo’s on stage energy, chemistry and soca sets. Hundreds even lined up for a chance to meet and take pictures with the musical duo.
Caribbean Buzz
$1 Million Up for Grabs In New Ultimate Soca Champions Competition.
Trinidad and Tobago is set to stage a revamped International Soca Monarch competition in what is now dubbed The Ultimate Soca Champion competition. The event’s final will be staged on Thursday, February 20th, with the semi final round set for Sunday, February 9th. The announcement was made earlier today by organisers, at a media conference held at Queen’s Hall, Port of Spain.
The organisers said the competition will not be split into Groovy/Power categories, however they said there will be special prizes for Best Groovy Soca, Best Power Soca and People’s Champion, based on public votes.
The event will feature the Ultimate Soca Champion reality TV show which organizers say is aimed at giving viewers an intimate look into the competition. “We believe this will help our culture to reach international audiences when packaged properly,” the team said.
In-Person Auditions will take place on Saturday, January 25th, 2025 at 9:00 AM at the Fernando Academy of the Performing Arts (SAPA). Regional/ International Artistes who are not in Trinidad and Tobago, are required to submit video auditions from January 20th at 8:00am to January 26th at 11:59pm.
“We aim to make this a production that captivates
audiences worldwide,” said Rome. “The Ultimate Soca Champion Competition will not only
elevate soca to international standards but also inspire the next generation of artistes.”
For registration, submission guidelines, and updates, visit ultimatesocachampion.com from Monday January 20th, or email ultimatesocachampion@gmail.com.
Caribbean Buzz
Jamaican Music and Culture Takes Centre Stage in South Florida, in February.
In South Florida, Caribbean culture finds a second home with a number of major caribbean centric events hosted throughout the year. On Sunday, February 2nd, the 2nd annual Reggae Genealogy Music Festival takes centre stage as the pulsating sounds and multifaceted history of that country, is set to be showcased.
The event will take place from 4pm to 9pm at the northeast parking lot of the the Broward Mall in the City of Plantation. Via media release, Ebuzztt learnt that the area will be transformed into a lively concert venue where attendees will enjoy an immersive journey through Jamaica’s unparalleled musical legacy in celebration of Reggae Month.
Produced by Island SPACE Caribbean Museum, this family-friendly showcase will begin by tracing the early beginnings of popular Jamaican music, prior to Jamaican independence from Britain in 1962, to the present, touching on mento, ska, nyabinghi, rocksteady, lovers rock, dub, reggae and dancehall. Performers including industry legends like Ernie Smith, Eric “Monty” Morris, Wayne Armond, Ambelique and more will perform musical features alongside the Code Red Band and lead singer Bobby Rose, as well as dancers from Carimer Theatre, captivating the audience with a slew of hits from yesteryear.
In Act I, the story will be narrated by effervescent Jamaican Consul General Oliver Mair, whose theatrical background will lend levity to the early evening events. Later, in Act II, the showcase will also highlight the influence of Jamaican music on genres such as dub, pop, reggaeton and Afrobeats, in a current and future musical journey curated and performed in part by DJ GQ of Y100. Entertainers like Bigg G, Phil Watkins, VP Records diva Shuga and more will lend contemporary musical stylings to the night.
Ahead of this rhythmic melding of entertainment and learning, attendees are encouraged to come out early to enjoy free museum tours, events and activities, food and shopping in the event area as well as inside the mall.
Gates for the Reggae Genealogy concert open at 4 p.m. with showtime at 6 p.m. Tickets range from $15 for early purchase to $75 for full-priced VIP. Find tickets, sponsorship, vendor and volunteer information at www.reggaegenealogy.org
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